'Countdown to UFC 164' debuts Aug. 26 on FOX Sports 1; video preview released

The UFC’s traditional pre-event show returns Monday, Aug. 26, with the debut of “Countdown to UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis 2? on FOX Sports 1.

The one-hour special previews the card’s headlining lightweight title fight between champion Benson Henderson (18-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and challenger Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC).

“Countdown” airs at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), and replays airs throughout the week.

UFC 164 takes place Aug. 31 at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center. The main card, including the Henderson-Pettis rematch, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and Facebook. An extended video preview of the event can be found above.

Henderson and Pettis, of course, have a history. “Showtime” scored a unanimous decision win over Henderson at the WEC’s final event in late 2011 to take the organization’s belt. Henderson hasn’t lost since and has reeled off seven straight wins en route. He claimed the UFC lightweight title in early 2012 and has already racked up three successful title defenses.

Pettis, meanwhile, lost his UFC debut but has rebounded with three straight wins, including back-to-back “Knockout of the Night” wins over Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon. He recently replaced injured T.J. Grant to get the UFC 164 slot.

The full UFC 164 card includes:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

• Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis – for UFC lightweight title
• Josh Barnett vs. Frank Mir
• Clay Guida vs. Chad Mendes
• Ben Rothwell vs. Brandon Vera
• Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)

• Gleison Tibau vs. Jamie Varner
• Tim Elliott vs. Louis Gaudinot
• Pascal Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
• Chico Camus vs. Kyung Ho Kang

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook, 6:30 p.m. ET)

• Nikita Krylov vs. Soa Palelei
• Ryan Couture vs. Al Iaquinta
• Magnus Cedenblad vs. Jared Hamman

For more on UFC 164, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.