UFC: Dan Hardy previews Johny Hendricks vs Stephen Thompson

Although this weekend’s card has transitioned from the UFC 196 pay-per-view to UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs Thompson, in my opinion it’s still a very exciting card. The change is a result of us losing the headlining heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, as a result of an injury to Velasquez. The former turned number one contender has undergone back surgery in the last week and is already planning his return. With Velasquez’s withdrawal, Werdum was offered replacements but opted to step back and allow his body to heal. Taking on another top heavyweight at late notice would be risky, especially as most of them are stylistically quite different to Velasquez.

To solve the UFC 196 dilemma, the co-main event was shifted up to lead the card and we now have a fascinating welterweight clash over five rounds of fighting. Former champion of the 170lbs division, Johny ‘Big Rigg’ Hendricks, is on the road to redemption. After losing a decision to current champ Robbie Lawler at UFC 181: Hendricks vs Lawler II in December 2014, Hendricks has fought just once. In that outing we saw him dominate Matt Brown from bell to bell at UFC 181 last year. Coming into the UFC, fans were aware that Hendricks had some of the best freestyle wrestling skills in all of MMA, but it was his scary punching power that established him as a threat in the division.

Those three big knockouts have found their way onto every highlight reel that has been made in recent years and the powerful left hand of ‘Bigg Rigg’ has become legendary. The reality, though, is that the last time Hendricks sent an opponent stiff to the canvas was at UFC 154 in 2012, Martin Kampann being his victim. Since then we have seen him utilize a wider range of his skills, which was a must against higher level fighters. The Brown fight was an example of just how easily he can handle someone if they can’t stop a takedown.

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That will be in the forefront of his opponent’s mind stepping into the Octagon this weekend. Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson is exactly that: a wonderboy. With a wealth of experience in karate and kickboxing competition, his striking is on another level to most of the division. As with Hendricks’ striking, a little training can go a long way, but when you come up against that much experience it’s hard to close the gap. This works both ways, as it would be foolish for Thompson to waste energy trying to grapple with Hendricks. For these two athletes it should be very much a return to their foundations if they are to win this weekend.

Thompson has been on a rapid ascent since his UFC debut in February 2012. Winning six of seven, and taking out other rising prospects such as Robert Whittaker and Jake Ellenberger, it was evident that a fight with title implications would be in the near future. When footwork skills are mentioned, the lighter weights dominate the conversation. Names like Dominick Cruz, T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson come to mind. But in my opinion, Thompson is top five in the whole sport. His ability to move around an opponent, seemingly out of range, and hit with power at the extremity of the strike is beautiful to watch.

Hendricks’ powerful left is a fearsome weapon but too much momentum behind it will expose him on his flanks. Thompson has the reaction speed and skills to stay clear of danger and hit Hendricks as he pushes forward. Only when his back is pinned against the fence or mat will Hendricks be in control of this. Out in the open water of the Octagon centre, however, it will be crapshoot for the former champion, and one that could find him with a ‘Wonderboy’ shin wrapped around the side of his head.

In the early days of the sport we saw many style versus style match-ups. Then there was a transitional phase where everyone was trying to do everything. Strikers would wrestle and grapplers were knocking people out… It was a very exciting time to see people mixing their martial arts. Now the sport has progressed again and people with strong skill sets are now training in other disciplines to support the things they already do so well. In this case we have Thompson - a world class kick boxer - stuffing takedowns and threatening with submissions, fighting Hendricks - a freestyle wrestler - with striking so dangerous that it’s a distraction from his main attack. Ultimately though, it will be their foundation martial art that will set them apart on the night.

What a contest it promises to be! After missing weight in his last scheduled bout, Hendricks is under even more pressure. A loss here would see him slip further down that sandbank, away from the title. With the constant onslaught of fresh talent, it’s hard for a contender to keep their head above water as all of these prospects are climbing over them to reach the top. Will the ‘Bigg Rigg’ block the flight path of ‘Wonderboy’, or will Hendricks become the next victim of Thompson’s seemingly unstoppable trajectory? There’s lots to look forward to all the way through the fight card too, with fan favourites like Roy Nelson, Joe Benavidez and Mike Pyle doing battle before the headlining bout.

Watch UFC Fight Night Hendricks vs Thompson live on BT Sport 2 from 1am GMT on Sunday 7th February, or catch the Early Prelims from midnight on UFC Fight Pass