The UFC is wrapping up a busy week, as UFC Fight Night 32 will be live from Brazil on Saturday. This event follows UFC Fight for the Troops, which took place Wednesday and featured some awesome fights.
UFC Fight Night 32 is headlined by legends Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort, who will fight in a rematch of a bout from earlier in their careers. Henderson took their first meeting, but he is in his 40s now, while Belfort seems to be in his prime.
The card promises to be solid despite the lack of high-level names. Let’s take a look and make some predictions for the fight night bonuses.
Submission of the Night: Omari Akhmedov
Although Omari Akhmedov can bang on the feet, he has a good submission arsenal that could be the difference in his fight with Thiago Perpetuo.
Perpetuo is a striker whose only loss has come via submission. Akhmedov has the takedown chops and grappling acumen to ground and tap Perpetuo.
Russian mixed martial artists have been taking the sport by storm lately. Considering Perpetuo has been out of commission for a while, this fight could be a recipe for tapout of the night.
Also in the running: Jose Maria Tome, Godofredo Pepey
Knockout of the Night: Brandon Thatch
If you saw the debut of Brandon Thatch, you know he doesn’t mess around. He gets right down to business.
Thatch debuted against Justin Edwards and immediately blitzed him with a barrage of violent strikes. After touching his foe’s chin a few times, he took a nap.
Now, Thatch takes on Paulo Thiago, a man who has shown holes in his striking defense in the past. If that’s not tailor-made for Thatch to hit the home run shot, I don’t know what is.
Expect some good, old-fashioned violence.
Also in the running: Rafael Cavalcante, Vitor Belfort-Dan Henderson winner
Fight of the Night: Rony Jason vs. Jeremy Stephens
The minute Rony Jason-Jeremy Stephens was announced, I knew it would be a must-see fight. The minute it was cancelled, I could have cried.
Then, by the grace of a higher being, it was rescheduled. That led to renewed interest in the fight.
Jason is powerful and vicious. Stephens is violent and savage. When combined, that usually leads to an instant classic.
On the feet, you could see an amazing brawl. On the ground, Stephens has the better wrestling, while Jason is more the submission grappler.
All things considered, this is an amazing way to kick off the televised portion of the card. Don’t be surprised if Jason and Stephens take home an extra check.
Also in the running: Vitor Belfort-Dan Henderson, Rafael Cavalcante-Igor Pokrajac, Adriano Martins-Daron Cruickshank
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