UFC Fight Night 60: Henderson vs. Thatch

Benson Henderson (21-5) vs. Brandon Thatch (11-1)

Benson Henderson moves up a weight-class and fights on short notice for the injured Stephen Thompson this Valentine’s day against Brandon Thatcher in the main event at UFC 60.

31-year-old Benson Henderson is coming off the first two-match losing streak of his career when a controversial unanimous decision gave Donald Cerrone the victory after three rounds on January 18th. His three losses in the last five matches will have him ready to go on short notice in this one, but the last time he fought with such little rest was in 2007 and he lost in just 46 seconds by submission (Anaconda Choke) against Rocky Johnson. Brandon Thatch will bring the heat against any of his opponents and he has won eight of his 11 bouts by way of knockout. He typically gets things done quickly with his average match lasting just four minutes and 11 seconds and he has gone past the first round just once; a loss to Brandon Magana in a decision back in 2008. The extra rest that Thatch has had should give him a leg up on Henderson, but the freakish athletic ability of the southpaw still gives him an edge in his ability to keep up his quickness and speed. Look for Thatch to expel a ton of energy early, and if he is unable to get an early knockout, fall behind as Henderson dances circles around him.

“Smooth” Henderson has some advantages in this one with his experience and quickness, but his small frame could take a beating if he allows the short rest to get to him. He has the tremendous ability of avoiding hard hits, taking just 1.64 strikes per minute as he usually attempts to get in a few key hits and eventually just outlast his opponent. Of his 21 career victories, Henderson has just 2 TKOs while getting most of his wins by either submission (9) or decision (10). Early on in his career, Henderson was a different fighter, winning each of his first six victories by either submissions or TKO but still has the ability to get to his opponent in many different ways with quick strikes (2.88 per min.) and 2.46 takedowns per 15 minutes while giving Thatch a much different opponent than he had in his first two UFC matches.

When Brandon “Rukus” Thatch wins a fight, he doesn’t fool around, and in his first two UFC matches he has knocked out his opponent in an average of less than two minutes as he lands 8.17 strikes per minute in that time. Overall in his MMA career, Thatch has been aggressive, never going longer than the first round with his victories as he attacks early on with plenty of knees to the body and head of his opponents. His 10-match winning streak will certainly be put to the test in this one, though; as Henderson is the former lightweight champion and can often use the aggressiveness of others to gain an edge as he lets them get tired out. Thatch will not win this fight if it goes longer than five minutes, so he will need to sneak in some hard hits early to have any sort of chance.