MANILA, Philippines – Reigning lightweight champion Frankie Edgar vowed to defend his title with all his might when he faces former WEC champion Benson Henderson in UFC 144 this weekend.

Edgar said his UFC title symbolized the sacrifices he and his team have made to reach MMA success.

“It's not so much the belt, it's what the belt means. How much I worked for it, how much my team worked for it and sacrificed for it,” Edgar said in UFC.com. “So yeah, I'm not gonna give up that belt so easily.”

The Edgar-Henderson fight serves as the main event of UFC 144, which will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

Edgar believes he will have to grind out a victory over Benson, who has a very good wrestling pedigree.

Adding to Edgar’s challenge is Benson’s size.

“He's a great athlete. He's a big 155-pounder. He's very hard to submit. He's got strong wrestling base,” said Edgar. “Being the champ, the next guy you fight is always tough.”

But the reigning lightweight champion said he will come out as the victor of the fight.

“I'm going to Japan but I'm coming home still champion... there's a reason why I'm champion.”