Who doesn’t like knockouts? Aside from the guy or girl getting rocked, most every MMA fan doesn’t mind seeing the fight end abruptly. Most times, MMA judges do a good job ensuring the sport isn’t tainted regularly (cough, boxing). Still, it’s cool when the fighters take the result out of the judges’ hands.
This Saturday, at UFC Fight Night 32 in Brazil, there are quite a few matches that could end with a KO.
Here’s a look at the KO artists with the best chance to paint another brutal masterpiece.
Brandon Thatch is No Joke
The man they call Rukus is one of the most exciting young strikers in the sport. The 28-year-old is on a nine-fight winning streak. He’s 10-1 overall, and seven of his wins have come by KO.
Thatch isn’t just stopping his opponents—he’s getting rid of them quickly. Six of his stoppages have come in the first round. In Instinct MMA, he knocked out Patrick Vallee in 15 seconds and finished Jory Erickson in 18.
On Saturday, Rukus faces Brazilian veteran Paulo Thiago.
Things haven’t been going great for Thiago in his last six fights. Despite winning his most recent bout against Michel Richard Cunha dos Prazeres, Thiago has dropped four of his last six bouts. He’s a submissions specialist who must get Thatch on the ground to have a shot.
The chances he accomplishes that goal aren’t very good. Thatch has a three-inch height advantage and an edge in overall explosiveness. Look for him to overwhelm Thiago for another impressive KO victory.
The Mutante Will Rock Daniel Sarafian
Cezar “The Mutante” Ferreira has earned his cool nickname because of his 6’1″ height, 73″ reach and well-rounded game. Ferreira‘s gifts will be on display on Saturday night against Daniel Sarafian.
Both men reached the finale as members of Vitor Belfort‘s team on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. An injury to Sarafian forced him out of the finale, and Ferreira went on to win. This time, no injury will save Sarafian.
Ferreira has one of the most balanced attacks in the division, and Sarafian is rather one dimensional. All of his seven wins have come by submission. He doesn’t have Ferreira outclassed as a grappler, as both Brazilians have extensive mat training.
Ferreira will stuff Sarafian‘s attempts to take him down and catch him with counter power strikes to set up a stoppage win.
Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort Will Become the First Man to KO Dan Henderson
No man has ever stopped Henderson in a fight. Hendo has a granite chin and brings enough power to cause his opponents to approach any exchange with him with caution.
He has even faced and defeated Belfort in a previous meeting. Hendo handed The Phenom a loss by decision in a 2006 bout that took place in Pride.
That said, Henderson is 43 years old now. At some point, he will run into an opponent who is able to expose the deficiencies created by his advancing age.
That point of time has come. Belfort is no rookie; he’s 36 years old and made his professional debut at 19. Some may say his career should be winding down as well; but The Phenom has really never looked better than he has of late.
He nearly forced Jon “Bones” Jones to tap out in Sept. 2012 before being submitted himself. He knocked out both Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold with impressive head kicks in his last two fights.
Look for Belfort to catch Hendo with another explosive strike that rocks the legend. He’ll make history and send Henderson to a defeat that should end his career. It’s been a great ride, but Henderson’s time as a real contender is done.
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