Author: Justin Fuller

Now that UFC 144 is in the books, the most exciting welterweight matchup since Jake Ellenberger defeated Diego Sanchez at UFC on Fuel TV, will take place on May 5 at UFC on Fox 3 when former No. 1 contender Josh Koscheck takes on up-and-comer Johny Hendricks.

Koscheck is coming off his second win after losing to current welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre. While his performance against Mike Pierce was less than inspiring, he did do enough to score the “W” in the judges eyes.

He is also still riding the waves of his Knockout of the Night performance against former UFC champion and Hall-of-Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 135. Needless to say, Koscheck is on the road back to redemption, and on the short list of title contenders.

But Johny Hendricks is just the man to spoil those dreams, and he’s being given the opportunity to prove his knockout of Jon Fitch was no fluke because he’s the real deal.

Hendricks, like Koscheck, holds a split-decision win over Mike Perice, but it is his KOTN over the aforementioned Fitch that is still fresh in everyone’s minds.

Aside from dropping a decision-loss to Rick Story back at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale, Hendricks has been on a tear since entering the UFC, scoring four (T)KOs, three inside the first round.

By no means will this be an easy fight for Hendricks. In some ways Koscheck is an even harder matchup than Fitch was, as Koscheck can not only wrestle and drive the fight into deep waters, but he brings one-punch knockout power as well.

But Koscheck has been knocked out before, and it is possible he will be looking to play it safe against someone like Hendricks, so as not to repeat the events of UFC 95 where he was knocked out by Paulo Thiago.

So Koscheck will look to use his wrestling and experience to dictate the fight. Unfortunately, Hendricks is an evenly matched opponent in the takedown department and will look to stuff everyone of Koscheck’s attempts to take it to the ground.

Hendricks hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to the judges. Yes, he only has one loss, but he’s had a couple close calls with his split-decision win over Pierce and a majority-decision over TJ Grant at UFC 113.

But he’s also finished four of his nine opponents inside the Octagon, and there is no doubt he will be looking to make Koscheck number five of ten, for an even .500 KO batting average.

Look for Koscheck to use his experience and cardio to carry him through this fight for a decision victory, but keep a closer eye of Hendricks pulling the upset and ending this fight in the blink of an eye as he makes his claim to face interim-UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit before GSP returns to action.

I’d also look for Condit to be avoiding this fight under the guise of “waiting it out for GSP.” But that’s just one reporter’s opinion.

And that’s the bottom line.

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Follow Justin Fuller on Twitter @JustinFullerMMA or like him on Facebook for the latest and greatest in…well…whatever, that’s what. Just do it, he’s hilarious.

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While all eyes will be on UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann and Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rouse this weekend, UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller is fast approaching and perhaps the most interesting story line to emerge from the upcoming broadcast television event, besides Nate Diaz and Jim Miller squaring off in a possible No. 1 contender bout, is who will come out on top in the co-main event between former No. 1 contender Josh Koscheck and fast-rising star Johny Hendricks.

Both fighters will be looking to prove they belong at the top of the division. Koscheck is coming off a less than stellar performance against welterweight division staple Mike Pierce, and this fight is his opportunity at redemption, and a chance to climb back to the No. 1 contender position after falling short in a five-round affair against current UFC Welterweight Champion Gorges St-Pierre at UFC 124.

Hendricks, like Koscheck, also holds a split-decision victory over the aforementioned Pierce in one of his more recent bouts. However few people remember it, as Hendricks was able to silence the critics after he quickly disposed of Koscheck training partner, and close friend, Jon Fitch at UFC 141, earning his second Knockout of the Night honors, and the disclosed 75-thousand dollar bonus that came with it.

Koscheck is not without his own stellar performances, however. Just two fights ago he put former-UFC Champion, and Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes to sleep in the closing seconds of the first round at UFC 135, earning a KOTN himself, also garnering a disclosed 75-thousand dollar bonus.

While Hendricks has earned KOTN twice, as well as Fight of the Night, he has yet to get the full hat trick, unlike Koscheck who has done so with FOTN performance against GSP, and his Submission of the Night against Anthony Johnson at UFC 106.

There is no doubt Hendricks is on a course to do even greater things, but Koscheck is in his own search for greatness, and to him, Hendricks is the roadblock, not the trophy, on that path.

If Koscheck defeats Hendricks in convincing fashion on May 5th, then there is little doubt he will become the de facto No. 1 contender, even before Jake Ellenberger, to face current interim-Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit, because everyone loves a comeback.

For Hendricks the loss will not set him back, but steer him on the correct path. Every great fighter’s legacy is marred by stories of falling down, and getting right back up. The Hendricks we will see merge from this fight will be motivated, and determined like no other.

While some might say Hendricks has Koscheck’s number now, and now is his time to shine based on his performance against Fitch, his overconfidence coming into this fight will be exactly what makes him lose it.

Koscheck is no stranger to getting knocked out, and as such has learned what not to do against a heavy handed hitter. He’s also not one to get taken down easily, and more than capable of neutralizing Hendrick’s wrestling with his own skill and expertise.

Once Hendricks realizes that putting his hands on Koscheck is harder than he though, he’ll go for the take down. It won’t take long for him to realize getting the fight to the ground isn’t so easy, and he’ll start head hunting in desperation.

This is where Koscheck will smell blood in the water, and after having learned from his own failures that banking on the take down and one-shot knockout is never a smart move, he will use razor-sharp combos and footwork to dismantle Hendricks before choosing to take the fight to the ground in the third round and hopefully finishing it there.

That is how a true professional and veteran of the sport approaches a fight where he has little to gain and everything to lose.

Hendricks will become a better fighter from the experience, but his age and determination will drive him to work his way right back to the lime light, but that day is not today, and that winning knockout to earn a title-shot will not happen this time.

And that’s the bottom line.

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Follow Justin Fuller on Twitter @JustinFullerMMA or like him on Facebook for the latest and greatest in…well…whatever, that’s what. Just do it, he’s hilarious.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com