UFC Lightweight bout: Benson Henderson vs. Mark Bocek
Odds: (-145 Henderson /+115 Bocek )
Betting Pick: Henderson
Bet on this fight at Bodog.com
The second bout of the evening sees the UFC debut of Benson Henderson, one of WEC’s top Lightweights, as he faces tough Canadian wrestler Mark Bocek. This is a very interesting matchup in that it is Henderson’s first taste of the big show and because Henderson and Bocek have very similar styles and skill sets. Both guys are great wrestlers with very effective submissions, so this should be a very competitive and entertaining bout.
Benson Henderson was one of WEC’s most exciting and effective 155 pounders. His strength and cardio are unbelievable, and his blend of dominant wrestling, solid striking, and exceptional submissions make him a potent offensive force. While he was upset in one-sided fashion by Anthony Pettis in his last outing, “Bendo” is still a force to be reckoned with, and this is a great opportunity for him to prove it. Henderson can do it all, and while his striking isn’t world-class, it is still a great complement to his dynamic ground game. Bocek’s style is very similar to his, so Henderson is going to need to concentrate on establishing his striking game early and transitioning from the standup to the ground game smoothly and effectively if he wants to make his mark in his UFC debut.
American Top Team’s Mark Bocek is a tough grinder with great wrestling and very dangerous submissions from top position. He is a very durable fighter with great strength and cardio, and he uses his wrestling, top control, and ground and pound to soften guys up and create holes for submissions. Bocek’s standup isn’t particularly technical, but he uses it well to set up his takedowns and get the fight where he needs it to be. He is not as good a striker as Henderson, to be sure, but he is probably stronger and a better wrestler, so he needs to just push the pace and try to keep the fight in close where he can secure takedowns and top position if he wants to spoil Bendo’s debut.
This is a tough fight to call. Both of these guys are tough, well-rounded, and athletic, and both of them have very similar skill sets. Bocek is probably a slightly better wrestler, but Henderson is a better striker and better off his back. I think that this is going to be a very close, competitive fight, but ultimate Henderson’s superior ability to stay out of trouble on his back and score points in the striking will make the difference. Henderson by a narrow decision.
Prediction: Ben “Smooth” Henderson via split decision.
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