Toothpicks and Title Fights

Ben has been a monster since leaving the WEC. Handily winning 5 fights and eking out another has left me appreciating him more and more. If he continues to dominate opponents the way he did against Nate Diaz, it won't be long before he's in talks for the title of greatest LW ever. Benson is 6-0 as a LW in the UFC and 3-0 in UFC LW title fights. BJ Penn is 11-3-1 as a LW in UFC bouts and 4-3-1 in UFC LW title fights. Frankie Edgar is 9-3-1 as a LW in the UFC and 3-2-1 in UFC LW title fights. Ben needs to continue to defend the title and win several more LW bouts, but he is well on his way to getting there. With Ben's experience in 25 minute fights (6-1, with 2 submissions and a total in-cage time of 139min 38 secs) it appears no fighter will have an easy win in front of them, nor will they have an experience advantage.

What's even crazier is that Ben may have fought an entire title defense with a toothpick in his mouth. There has been some significant speculation on what the athletic commission might do, now that it appears video evidence confirms this toothpick story. 

I don't know about you guys, but I'm uncertain of the commission. I can see a possible fine for bringing an unapproved object into the cage, but with athletic commissions, you never know what they might do. I would be really disappointed if they changed the result of the fight to a NC (although I think that is highly unlikely), but I'm unsure of what the commission has the option of doing. 

Anyway, just wanted to show some appreciation for Ben and ask what you guys think about the toothpick controversy (I'm sure someone will dub it toothpickgate, but it's too long of a word, and that would be really annoying).

curtwag84 is correct.

Benson Henderson has fought with a toothpick in his mouth before, watch him vs Clay Guida and you'll see it at the end right after the fight.

Ben Henderson is a great decision fighter.

are you kidding me @stealingfire? all of bendo's opponents are very tough to finish. clay guida has been submitted a decent amount of times, but that's over a long fight career and the majority are before he was in the ufc. dude looks to finish. it's not his fault his opponents are durable as ****

Strip him of the title and kick him out of the UFC. It's the ONLY thing to do. Nate Diaz was clearly going to win a lopsided decision if not for that toothpick. I demand this travesty be rectified at once. 

Edit: Perhaps it is not the time for deadpanned sarcasm.

* Edited at 12.09.2012, 6:49 PM ET *

@Greg's point still stands and I have to agree with him on this.  He violated a rule... rules that govern a sanctioned sport.  You simply can not allow any exceptions.... Pandora's box will open up.  A fine is def in order if this is proven... safety is priority one anywhere in any occupation.

Yeah a fine is in order. For Nate Diaz for getting his ass whipped by a guy with a toothpick in his mouth. Now I know why they call him "Smooth"

Yeah, in all seriousness, a fine sounds like the best course of action. Rules are there to be enforced. Despite not meriting a change in the decision of the fight, disciplinary action is a must. Especially if we're dealing with fighter safety (for both individuals). I expect the commission to deal out something significant along the lines of a $50,000 fine; a message to all competitors that this will no longer be tolerated. 

* Edited at 12.09.2012, 6:48 PM ET *

Lol @ the downers for Sonnens, come on guys he was obviously joking !

Also,

I actually think Stealingfire isn't that far off. Sure Miller, Bocek, Guida, Edgar or Diaz, are all tough guys but his finishing rate in the UFC at this point is at 0 %

Bendo even when he dominates the whole fight does not have the killer instict that other fighters seem to have.

He does have a wicked guillotine but we didn't see that weopon in a long time. He's more of a grinder. I would have to agree with that...

Ben: "You can take me to the Athletic Commission!"
Ben: "Lock me up!"
Ben: "Throw in the towel!"
Ben: "I ain't afraid to bust somebody with a toothpick!"
Everybody: "I ain't --- WHOA?!!!!!"



p.s. "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" 

I don't feel that the tooth pick could of really caused any damage to either fighter, it's just a small piece of wood. I guess worst case scenario would be Bendo gets hit and the toothpick pokes his tongue or cheek.
I really don't feel that this should merit any kind of action from the commission I think at most he should just get a warning.  

Dana White responds to the 'alleged' toothpick in Ben Henderson's mouth DURING his fight last night at UFC on Fox 5 versus Nate Diaz:

"Let me tell you what, I saw a toothpick pop out of his mouth when he walked back to the corner. That is the craziest thing I have ever seen. That is so not legal it's not even funny. It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it in my 43 years on Earth. I doubt (he gets fine), I mean why could you fine him for it? But I think that the athletic commission will be looking for that in the future

Nice find @Mike... interesting how he admitts that it is "so not legal", but no consequenses.... who knows what will happen... but at least most of us are on the same page... it's freaking illegal!

any illegal actions should be punished by the athletic commission and the UFC or it can seem like the UFC is condoning them, but we all know at this point that uncle Dana will not punish those who are his friends or make him money

Dana has nothing to do with the Commission, if they wanna push Benson ... they'll do it. Do you think any Athletic Commission gives two ****s what Dana wants? 

Yeah, the toothpick needs to go.  It probably is harmless, but the rules are the rules.  And frankly, the last thing the UFC needed on primetime television is someone dying in the Octagon....  via toothpick.  

Worth noting, Bendo looked GOOD last night!  I freely admit I underestimated him and thought Diaz would destroy him.  So Bendo, if you or any of your homeys are seeing this, I humbly apologize, please don't come after me with a toothpick

Stickman, I thought you WERE toothpicks? You don't like other toothpicks? Were they mean to you? I'm sure Ben would chew on them for you.

@Zarog: LMAO!  That was good!

Sadly, toothpicks and I haven't had a very good relationship.  When I was 10, I actually had to go to the emergency room because I had stepped on a toothpick and it somehow went up my foot to the point where the doctor had to use priers to remove it!

@Stickman Chew on it. Teach that toothpick what's up.

EDIT: Also, I feel like that the whole going into your foot thing is the exact definition of toothpicks "being mean to you."

* Edited at 12.09.2012, 11:25 PM ET *

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know John Crouch did an interview over the fight. Kind of interesting.

The Washington State Athletic Commission has made the statement that they will not be investigating the toothpick incident with Henderson. However, they did say they would be looking at the rules to see what should be done moving forward. Anyway, that should be the end of the toothpick incident.

WAR HENDERSON!!!