The UFC intended to broadcast on pay-per-view this upcoming weekend, but a drastic change at the top of the card brought us to where we are today. We now have UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson, which airs on Saturday free on Fox Sports 1. The main event, featuring former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks and rising contender Stephen Thompson, was originally the co-main event of UFC 196, but has earned the top slot on the revised card.
In the co-main event, we have heavyweights locking horns in Roy Nelson and Jared Rosholt. Nelson has long been considered a gatekeeper of the division but is kept around due to his immense finishing rate, fun style of fighting and granite chin that allows him to absorb massive amounts of punishment. In Rosholt, you have a grinding wrestler who doesn’t allow opponents to breathe. He is on the rise and looking to jump into contention.
Also on the card, you have names such as Ovince Saint Preux, Joseph Benavidez, Josh Burkman and Mickey Gall, the fighter who will be competing for the golden ticket of fighting superstar CM Punk on a future card. It looks to be an interesting card, even if it is weak on star power and without the previous headliner that featured the UFC heavyweight championship. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the card, break down the fights and make some predictions.
Main Card
Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson
In examining the main event, I think we will see a passing of the torch. It’s not that Johny Hendricks isn’t a top fighter, it’s that Stephen Thompson looks to be hitting his peak. His striking is superior to Hendricks and it looks like his counter wrestling is vastly improved. Hendricks will have his moments, but I think the athleticism, movement and striking of Thompson will fluster Hendricks. This will be my upset of the night, ironically enough in the main event.
Roy Nelson vs. Jared Rosholt
The co-main event features two of the better heavyweights on the UFC roster right now, as long-time UFC employee Roy Nelson takes on surging contender Jared Rosholt. Nelson has the ability to end this fight in one strike, as he constantly uncorks gigantic punches on the chins of his foes. He needs to avoid getting the distance closed on him by Rosholt, who will look to grind out a victory with takedowns and position. Nelson has shown cracks in his takedown defense before, but it was against guys that also threatened him with strikes. I will unconfidently take Nelson here, though I would not be shocked if Rosholt grinded this one out.
Ovince Saint Preux vs. Rafael Cavalcante
Ovince Saint Preux has been one of the most improved light heavyweights in recent memory with the UFC. He will get a chance to continue to show he’s a major threat at 205 when he fights Rafael Cavalcante. Since his days in Strikeforce, Cavalcante has greatly regressed. His biggest strength is his striking, but that will be tough against Saint Preux. OSP has an athletic edge and can take this fight down if he pleases, though his striking is good enough to compete with “Feijao.” Wherever this fight is contested, Saint Preux will be superior, earning another win.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Zach Makovsky
Two of the UFC’s top flyweights are due to do battle next, as former UFC title challenger Joseph Benavidez takes on former Bellator champion Zach Makovsky. Makovsky is a wrestler that will constantly look for the takedown. That will be tough against Benavidez, who has good takedown defense, movement and striking. He has been putting in work with Greg Jackson, which should overall refine his game nicely. Benavidez wins wherever the fight goes, possibly earning him yet another shot at Demetrious Johnson.
Misha Cirkunov vs. Alex Nicholson
Misha Cirkunov looks to build on an impressive UFC debut when he returns for his sophomore effort. In his way is a promising newcomer in Alex Nicholson, who has spent time as both a heavyweight and light heavyweight. Cirkunov has shown weakness in the past on the ground, but his striking is lethal. He has especially frightening kicks, which have a tendency to wreck anything in its path. Nicholson is a physical brute and can knock guys out as well, but also has shown struggles on the ground in his amateur days. This will be a striker’s delight, but Cirkunov will use movement and accumulated damage to earn the victory here.
Mike Pyle vs. Sean Spencer
Mike Pyle has been a long-time MMA veteran that has constantly been around the top of the welterweight division, but has failed to break through to the top echelon. Sean Spencer is an underrated, athletic striker that is going to try and boost his stock after his last fight was a controversial loss to Cathal Pendred. Spencer needs to stick and move here, as Pyle has power and will likely try to ground him. If Pyle can achieve a takedown and work effectively from the top, he can make this an uncomfortable night for Spencer. I will take Pyle here.
Preliminary Card
Josh Burkman vs. KJ Noons
Two long-time MMA vets will meet up next, as Josh Burkman debuts in the lightweight division against KJ Noons. Burkman has had a tough strength of schedule since coming back to the UFC, as has Noons. Neither has had great success though. The difference is Noons has shown ineffective ground work, and Burkman has good wrestling and submissions. Expect Burkman to save his job with a win here.
Derrick Lewis vs. Damian Grabowski
Derrick Lewis has the task of welcoming a new heavyweight to the UFC when he takes on Polish veteran Damian Grabowski. Lewis is a big, athletic, powerful heavyweight that is known for his slugging prowess. He looks for the knockout early and often, something which will likely be on his mind when fighting here. Grabowski is a submission fighter who will be looking to take Lewis down to the mat. Viktor Pesta had a tough time doing that against Lewis, so it may be tough for Grabowski too. It’s a toss up for me, but I will take Lewis.
Ray Borg vs. Justin Scoggins
Two of flyweights best young fighters will go at it, and it should be a fun one. Ray Borg represents a good submission wrestler who has been nothing short of impressive since coming to the UFC. Justin Scoggins also has good wrestling, but his striking is what has been winning him fights lately. However, Scoggins showed in his fight with Dustin Ortiz that he can be worn down. That’s why I think Borg should win this bout with persistence and endurance.
Noad Lahat vs. Diego Rivas
Prospects collide at 145 pounds, as Israel’s Noad Lahat meets up with Chilean Diego Rivas. Lahat is an American Kickboxing Academy student whose striking is not his main asset. He is a grinder that leans on guys and wear them out. He can strike, but is not the flashy, exciting type you’d expect from AKA. Rivas has won most of his bouts via submission. Getting Lahat down is going to prove tough, and I don’t think he outstrikes him either. Lahat should win this one pretty easily.
Mickey Gall vs. Mike Jackson
Two inexperienced fighters will be the featured Fight Pass scrap, as Mickey Gall looks to cement his fight with CM Punk when he fights Mike Jackson. From researching this fight, it looks to be grappler (Gall) vs. striker (Jackson). Gall is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which means he’s tough as nails on the ground. Most of his amateur wins and his pro win are via tapout. He will do that to Jackson, earning his fight with Punk in the summer.
Artem Lobov vs. Alex White
The opening fight of the night takes place in the featherweight, as Conor McGregor’s teammate, Artem Lobov, looks for his first UFC win since being the runner-up in TUF 22. The UFC has matched up the power punching brawler against Alex White, who will be more than happy to cater to Lobov on the feet. White likes to box, which could be a dangerous game here. What Lobov lacks in technique he makes up for in power and aggression. He will plant White with a big shot at some point, earning the victory.