After a busy January the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns with a co-headlining fight night featuring Benson Henderson (21-5) vs Brandon Thatch (11-1) at 170lbs and Max Holloway (11-3) vs Cole Miller (21-8) at 145lbs. Tune in Sunday at 2:00pm (AEDT) to catch the round-by-round coverage here on The Roar.
Henderson will be returning from a loss just one month ago to replace the injured Stephen Thompson and is making his first move up to the 170lbs division. He will be pitted against high-potential prospect Thatch who has just had an extended break due to injuries.
Replacing Thompson, Henderson has made this fight very interesting. Instead of the expected fireworks, Thatch will now be dealing with a smaller fighter who is more desperate to assert himself in a new division.
The 15 month lay-off means Thatch could come out a little rusty and with a full training camp, the change of opponents would have disrupted his preparations. He has to use his size and reach to his advantage, if he can set it up, a knockout could be on the cards.
Henderson hasn’t had a full training camp but this is possibly the best chance he has at pulling off an upset. He fought only last month so he will be match-fit, he will look quicker moving up to a larger division and having lost his last two fights means things are getting serious for the 31 yr old Phoenician.
In what will be a very entertaining co-feature bout, Holloway vs Miller is shaping up to be a striker vs grappler scenario. Don’t buy into it too much though as Holloway, the traditionally good striker has improved his grappling a lot over time and has proven himself on the mat when needed.
Conversely, Miller was originally a stronger grappler and often rushed for a submission. He has worked on his striking which he can really utilise with his long reach. Although he’s not slow, I doubt he would have the pace advantage throughout the fight.
The main card will be showing the 4 other fights listed below:
Kiichi Kunimoto vs Neil Magny
Daniel Kelly vs Patrick Walsh
Michel Prazeres vs Kevin Lee
Ray Borg vs Chris Kelades
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That's everything from UFC Fight Night 60, live from Colorado. From myself and The Roar, thanks for tuning in! To recap tonights results: James Moontasri def. Cody Pfister via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:49 Zach Makovsy def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Chas Skelly def. Jim Alers via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:59 Efrain Escudero def. Rodrigo Lima via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Ray Borg def. Chris Kelades via submission (kimura) – Round 3, 2:56 Kevin Lee def. Michel Prazeres via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27) Daniel Kelly def. Patrick Walsh via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Neil Magny def. Kiichi Kunimoto via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:22 Max Holloway def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Benson Henderson def. Brandon Thatch via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 4, 3:58
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Official cards state Henderson wins, 3min 58s of round 4, rear-naked choke.
Graeme Cross
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Debuting as a welterweight, coming in as the underdog and Henderson pushes the fight into the 4th round before obtain the take down, getting thatch into a bodylock from behind and slipping his arms across his throat to get the submission.
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HENDERSON WINS!
Graeme Cross
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Thatch stands up but Henderson gets another take down HE'S GOT THE CHOKE! THATCH TAPS!!
Graeme Cross
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Thatch scrambles but Henderson gets ontop again
Graeme Cross
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Thatch exposed his back and Henderson goes straight for the body lock trying to get a choke.
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Henderson gets a swift takedown!
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Thatch dishes out a strong knee, Henderson keeps replying withthe left.
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Henderson attempts to take Thatch down but can't get enough momentum.
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Thatch moves in and looks to lead with a straight but Henderson keeps throwing left and right overhands straight to Thatchs eyes.
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Round 4 begins!
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The crowd is errupting and the buzzer ends the round. Henderson round.
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Henderson spins around and almost gets an arm bar but thatch manages to slide out
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Henderson continues with the body lock and trying to throw a right hammer to Thatch's head.
Graeme Cross
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Henderson using his right leg to kick into Thatch's abdomen. He's looking for an opening to choke Thatch out.
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Henderson get's Thatch to the ground and jumps on his back
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Both fighters lock in the centre cage, Henderson throws a hook and tries to spin out, thatch follows with a front kick, a right hook and a spinning heel kick.
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Henderson lands a solid leg kick and continues jabbing off his back foot.
Graeme Cross
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Henderson looking to keep a bigger gap in the 3rd.