It’s Fight Week, Hendricks and Thompson. The question this week is – can the Wonderboy stop a Big Rig? With that being said, I bring you my break down for this week’s main event.
Considering the nickname, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, is one of, if not the most decorated strikers in all of the UFC. With a kickboxing record of 61-0 this kid can hit you with every limb, from any angle, seriously it’s insane (just ask Jake Ellenberger). Most fighters say the punch (or kick) you don’t see hurts the most, making Thompson a true KO artist. I’m not joking, it’s like he is Mr. Fantastic and he can just bend his limbs around your face to hit you from the other side. I know what you’re thinking “if he is so good then why hasn’t he gotten a title shot?” The former kickboxer has tasted defeat only once in the octagon to Matt Brown. Brown was all over him like peanut butter to jelly. He basically wrestled him to a unanimous decision. Since then it seems like Thompson has improved his take down defense winning five straight since 2013. A win this Saturday could lock up a title shot but he definitely has his hands full.
The former undisputed Welterweight champion Johny “Big Rig” Hendricks earned his nickname by having semi-trucks attached to his wrists! This dude has some SERIOUS power. With Oklahoma State wrestling blood, he isn’t afraid to let those monster hands go because frankly it’s almost impossible to take this dude down. He is going to be some serious trouble for Thompson if he decides to take a page out of Matt Brown’s book. There are some concerns for the former champ. Big Rig has shown some issues in the past being able to make this weight, and as many of you know, he had to go to the hospital during the last cut. Although this is a concern for many of the fans (including myself), I think since Johny left Team Takedown and is doing things his way, he seems happy with a new jolt of passion to get himself back on top!
Since the fight has recently become the main event it will now be five rounds. Although it appears that Hendricks’ cut is going well he still has not fought in quite a while and five rounds might be a challenge for him. Though Wonderboy’s karate stance and amazing kicks will most likely keep Hendricks at bay, I can see the former champ trying to stand up with Thompson in the first 3 rounds. He will soon abandon that strategy and try to wrestle him into oblivion. However, if Thompson can keep Hendricks at a distance and through use of intricate angles, he might just be able to pull off his biggest win to date. Like I stated earlier they don’t call him ” Big Rig” for nothing, he still has those trucks for hands and could put Thompson to sleep at any time.
