Benson Henderson will be doing his best Donald Cerrone impression as he comes back to the UFC cage on short notice at Fight Night 60. He replaces Stephen Thompson the Broomfield, Colorado main event against Brandon Thatch.
Ariel Helwani made the announcement after UFC 183 concluded on Fox Sports 1.
Henderson last fought in mid-January against Cerrone. He dropped a decision in a lackluster fight that marked his second straight defeat. Now he moves up to welterweight for this clash against a rising prospect.
Thatch was a well-known young gun making his way up the ranks on the regional circuit before getting the call in 2013 to the UFC. His debut was nothing short of stellar. In just 83 seconds he dispatched Justin Edwards. He returned later in 2013 to defeat Paulo Thiago with a knee to the body.
His 2014 campaign was not to be. He was scheduled to fight with Jordan Mein, but their fight was pushed back before Thatch got injured and was out for the remainder of the year.
UFC Fight Night 60 hits Broomfield on Valentine’s Day.
What makes this fight even more interesting is that Damon Martin of Fox Sports reported that Henderson was set to replace Bobby Green against Jorge Masvidal. Those plans have now changed. It highlights how desperately the UFC needed a main event for its Valentine’s card.
Last fall Henderson spoke openly about wanting to move up to welterweight. The fight against Thatch will be a good test for the former lightweight champion in that quest. If he is competitive there may be hope that he can make noise in the division, but a loss to the prospect will not bode well for Henderson.
Henderson’s inclusion in the main event adds a bit of intrigue to this card that was very much needed. While Thompson vs. Thatch would have been an entertaining bout, it would have lacked a name that can draw viewers in.
The UFC may have gotten a blessing in disguise with Henderson taking this fight on short notice.
UFC Fight Night 60 is in two weeks’ time on Fox Sports 1. Bleacher Report will keep you informed of any more late changes to the Denver-area fight card as it nears.
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