The UFC’s long awaited return to Japan will be coming February 25^th with an action packed fight card for the land of the rising sun. This card will be having an extra large main card with seven amazing fights featuring many Japanese fighters. The first fight to kick off the main card is a featherweight bout between two rising prospects Hatsu Hioki and Bart Palaszewski. Both fighters have found success in their UFC debuts with Palaszewski defeating Tyson Griffin, while Hioki earning a split decision over George Roop. Moving to the next rumble on this card is a middleweight attraction between one time title challenger Yushin Okami, and UFC vet Tim Boetsch. The third fight is going to be a meaningful clash as lightweights Joe Lauzan and Anthony Pettis meet in the octagon. Both fighters are coming off wins and are looking to get one step closer to title contention. The next fight coming to Japan is a welterweight battle between Japanese super star Yoshihiro Akiyama and former Strikeforce Champion Jake Sheilds. Both men are looking to bounce back from losses in their last fights and are hungry to get a win in the octagon. The fifth fight on the card is a heavyweight showdown between Pride vet Mark Hunt and the heavy handed Cheick Kongo. Hunt won a knock out of the night award in his last performance, while Kongo earned a decision win over Matt Mitrione. Moving on to the co-main event that features an exciting light heavyweight meeting between Ryan Bader and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Jackson is highly known in Japan being a Pride veteran and is very excited to make a return to his old stomping grounds. Rampage is coming off a title loss to Jon Jones while Bader is coming off a knock out win at UFC 139. The main event is a five round championship bout between reigning UFC lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and former WEC Champion Ben Henderson. Edgar has successfully defended his belt three times, and is coming off a huge win when he knocked out Grey Maynard last year. Henderson on the other hand has been on a tare in the lightweight division with three straight wins in the octagon against Mark Bocek, Jim Miller, and Clay Guida. This fight should be nothing short than spectacular with this amazing showdown headlining the card. Please make sure to tune into UFC 144 on February 25^th and make sure to play Cageside King to win some pretty cool prizes for free!

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