The event formerly known as UFC 196 may not have the same allure that it once did before injuries forced it off pay-per-view as UFC Fight Night 82, but a night of fights is still better than a night of watching movies on Lifetime.
The Las Vegas card was supposed to be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and reigning champ Fabricio Werdum. Then a Velasquez injury made way for a Stipe Miocic vs. Werdum main event before the champion ultimately pulled out with an injury and the whole fight was postponed.
The original co-main event between former champion Johny Hendricks and Stephen Thompson was promoted to main event and the card was demoted to Fox Sports 1.
It might not be pay-per-view quality, but there are still a few intriguing clashes to take in on Saturday night. Here’s a look at the card, including how to catch each of the fights.
Top Fights
Johny Hendricks vs. Stephen Thompson
As one might expect, the main event is the fight to watch on this card. It’s an interesting bout between a fighter in Johny Hendricks who has already been to the top of the mountain and a fighter in Thompson who has shown the potential to get there.
The 32-year-old Thompson has suffered just one loss in his UFC career and comes into the bout on a five-fight win streak. The Firas Zahabi disciple has successfully transitioned his karate skills to the Octagon with three of his last four wins coming by way of TKO.
Hendricks represents a rather large step up in competition, though. In the last five years, Bigg Rigg has only lost twice: once to former champion Georges St-Pierre and again to current champion Robbie Lawler. Both losses were by extremely close decisions.
As good as Thompson is in the striking department, Hendricks has become one of the most feared strikers in the division. He might not be as flashy as Thompson, but he is effective. That’s why Bleacher Report Senior MMA Analyst Patrick Wyman believes Hendricks can hold his own in the stand-up game:
The most likely scenario here involves Hendricks keeping it even on the feet, wearing Thompson down with low kicks and using his combinations in the pocket to set up takedowns against the fence. The combination of work in the clinch, constant takedowns and just enough top control should edge the scorecards in Hendricks’ direction. He takes a decision.
It’s hard to disagree with Wyman here. Hendricks is not only the more experienced fighter, he seems to have a handle on the weight issues that have held him back. Hendricks was supposed to fight Tyron Woodley at UFC 192 in October, but was forced out after a bad weight cut.
Now the welterweight is working with nutritionist Louis Giordano to get his weight down. It appears to be working, as he weighed just above the 170-pound mark three days before the weigh-in, according to Bryan Levick of Titan FC:
A lean Hendricks is a scary thought. Thompson is still a promising contender, but this matchup might be more than he can handle as Hendricks has the wrestling ability to smother Thompson’s striking and wear him down before finishing the fight via TKO.
Prediction: Hendricks via 4th-round TKO
Joseph Benavidez vs. Zach Makovsky
The flyweight matchup between Joseph Benavidez and Zach Makovsky might not be the official co-main event, but it’s definitely the second-best fight on the card to Hendricks-Thompson.
Benavidez is in a tough spot in his quest for a title. He’s been defeated twice already by champion Demetrious Johnson, but is the No. 1-ranked fighter in the division in the UFC’s rankings.
Essentially, it’s going to take more than extending his five-fight win streak to move closer to getting a threematch with Mighty Mouse. The good news for Benavidez is that he’s shown he’s not content with sticking to the same routine to prepare for these fights.
Benavidez usually spends his time training with Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, but instead spent some time visiting the Jackson-Winkeljohn gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the MusclePharm facility in Denver where his former teammate T.J. Dillashaw now trains.
He discussed the need for changes in his routine with E. Spencer Kyte of UFC.com:
I knew in my heart that I wasn’t fighting and preparing up to my capabilities. So maybe I needed something different at this juncture of my career. In this sport, that is so monotonous day in and day out, it’s nice to get these fresh ideas and get out of your comfort zone, which I haven’t had to do in years. But that’s what this camp brought me.
Benavidez could be put in a position where he has to utilize any new tricks he’s picked up. Makovsky might only be ranked No. 8 in the division, but he’s not an easy out by any means.
Fun Size lost a close decision to John Dodson his last time out, but the fact that he kept it close and landed more strikes, according to FightMetric, speaks to how sneaky good Makovsky is.
The former Bellator champion is durable (all of his losses have come by decision or submission) and fundamentally sound.
That being said, a motivated Benavidez who is looking to improve when he’s already won his last four fights is a dangerous thing. He’s the better fighter in nearly every category and should sweep the fight, though the rounds will be close.
Prediction: Benavidez via decision (30-27)
Roy Nelson vs. Jared Rosholt
The fact that this heavyweight matchup is a top fight is the greatest evidence that moving the event to free TV was the right call. Both of these heavyweights are just outside the Top 10 of the UFC’s heavyweight rankings, and Rosholt’s style isn’t exactly what one would call “fan friendly.”
The fact of the matter is that this fight is a litmus test for Rosholt. His wrestling-heavy style might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but he is the closest thing the heavyweight division has to an up-and-coming prospect.
At 29 years old, Rosholt is the only ranked fighter that is under 30 years old. In a division that hasn’t seen much turnover in the last five years, that means the road for Rosholt to be a big name in the division is relatively clear.
But as UFC matchmaker Joe Silva points out in this video tweeted by UFC Canada, Rosholt still has a lot to prove:
His 6-1 record in the Octagon has come against relatively easy competition. We know his wrestling skills are on point. He was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma State and has shown he can transition those skills to MMA. However, the rest of his game has some catching up to do.
Roy Nelson is getting long in the tooth at 39 years old, He’s lost three straight and retirement has to be looming. However, those three losses all came to top competition. There might just be enough left in the tank for one more stellar knockout from his trademark overhand right.
The more likely scenario is a less appetizing one for fans, though. Rosholt is great at taking away space from opponents, smothering them with his clinch and ground work while taking away any offensive threats.
If he’s able to consistently do that, he’ll be well on his way to the Top 10 and on to bigger and better things.
Prediction: Rosholt by decision (30-27)
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