Pedro Fernandez & Benson Henderson
UFC ON FOX EXPECTS “STRONG” TV NUMBERS
Los Angeles, CA– The Ultimate Fighting Championships returns to Big FOX this Saturday with lightweight (155) action in the main event between former titlist Ben Henderson (19-3, 7-1 UFC) and Josh Thompson (20-5, 3-1 UFC). These two contenders will swap leather at the United Center in Chicago, IL in a fight with likely title implications. Though current lightweight (155 lb.) king Anthony Pettis (17-2, 4-1 UFC) seems to have Bendo’s number, I think he likely beats Thompson here. Josh certainly has a shot, but I think Ben has more experience against top-level opposition and that will show on Saturday night.
HEAVYWEIGHTS IN SEMI MAIN
On the FOX undercard, heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga (16-7, 11-6 UFC) and Stipe Miocic (10-1, 4-1 UFC) clash in a nice heavyweight (265 limit) battle. Gonaga is a vet who has looked good as of late and I think he beats Miocic here. Lightweight Donald Cerrone (21-6, 8-3 UFC) looks to claw his way into an eventual crack at the UFC belt against Adriano Martins (25-6, 1-0 UFC). I’m leaning towards Cerrone because of his overall balance as a fighter, but you just never know with the guy. Sometimes he looks good, other times he loses badly. Featherweight (145) Darren Elkins (17-3, 7-2 UFC) will mix it up with Jeremy Stevens (22-9, 9-8 UFC). I favor Stevens in this one by a slim margin.
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS
BANTAMWEIGHTS (135): Alex Caceres (9-5, 1 NC) vs Sergio Pettis (10–0)
BANTAMWEIGHTS: Yves Jabouin (19-8) vs. Eddie Wineland (20-9–1)
BANTAMWEIGHTS: Chico Camus (13-4) vs. Yaotzin Meza (20-8)
BANTAMWEIGHTS: Hugo Viana (7–1) vs. Ramiro Hernandez (13–5)
LIGHTWEIGHTS: Daron Cruickshank (13-4) vs. Mike Rio (9-3)
WELTERWEIGHTS: George Sullivan (14-) vs. Mike Rhodes (6-1)
Zak Young