Thread: UFC on Fox 5
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Old 12-10-2012, 06:07 PM   #153
Next Big Thing
 
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Apparently, Henderson did have a toothpick in his mouth during the fight:

Quote:
UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson apparently fought with a toothpick in his mouth during his entire 25-minute title fight against Nate Diaz this weekend.

Henderson successfully defended the 155-pound title for the second time Saturday, defeating Diaz via unanimous decision in the headlining fight of the UFC on Fox event at KeyArena in Seattle.

Henderson declined to answer directly in an immediate post-fight interview when asked whether or not he had a toothpick in his mouth during the fight. Asked again at a press conference later that night, Henderson admitted he regularly trains that way.

"I can not confirm or deny that," Henderson said with a smirk. "I normally do, yeah. I have it in practice (and) when I spar. It's a bad habit, but whatever. I've gotten away with it so far."

Internet videos that later surfaced confirmed the presence of what appeared to be a toothpick sticking out of Henderson's mouth at the conclusion of the fight.

UFC president Dana White stated he saw a toothpick in Henderson's mouth in between rounds.

"Let me tell you what, I saw a toothpick pop out of his mouth when he walked back to the corner," said White, during a post-fight interview on Fuel TV. "That is the craziest thing I have ever seen. That is so not legal it's not even funny."

White added he did not expect Henderson to receive any punishment.

The Washington State Department of Licensing told ESPN.com on Monday it was determining whether or not to release a statement. Representatives from Henderson's camp declined to comment further when reached Saturday night.

Mixed martial artists are searched prior to competing, including the mouth area. Officials also verify that contestants wear a mouthpiece.

Diaz, when asked for his thoughts on the toothpick at the press conference, gave a long, puzzled stare across the podium towards Henderson before responding.

"I don't know if he did, but that's weird," Diaz said.
http://espn.go.com/mma/story/_/id/87...fc-title-fight

Fighting with a toothpick in his mouth was insanely stupid and kind of badass at the same time.
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