UFC Light Heavyweight Bout: Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans
Odds: (+110 Henderson / -140 Evans )
Betting Pick: Hendo
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The main event of UFC 161 features a clash of champions as former UFC Light Heavyweight champion “Suga” Rashad Evans squares off with former two-division PRIDE FC Champion Dan “Hollywood” Henderson. Both of these guys are experienced veterans who have spent years fighting the best opponents in the world. What makes this even more interesting is that this is a mirror match in terms of styles. Both of these guys are primarily wrestlers who are known for supplementing their grappling with huge power punching. This is as competitive a main event as you could hope for, and should provide some very interesting action.
“Suga” Rashad Evans first burst onto the UFC scene as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, and has since cemented himself in the upper crust of the 205 pound division. Evans, an accomplished collegiate wrestler, has always been a dangerous grappler who is equally adept at securing takedowns and using the clinch to control his opponents against the cage. Over the years, he has added a devastating power-punching game to his repertoire, which makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone. Evans can use the threat of knockout punches to set up his takedowns more easily and the threat of takedowns to create holes in his opponents’ striking defense.
Dan “Hollywood” Henderson is a true legend of the sport. Having captured belts in two weight classes during his PRIDE FC heyday, Henderson has continued his success in UFC. In terms of pure takedown ability, I think Henderson lags slightly behind Evans, but he is much more accomplished at both using the clinch to control the action and at landing knockout punches. Henderson’s huge, looping power punches have become the stuff of legend, and probably cause some fighters, like Michael Bisping, to wake up in cold sweats in the middle of the night. Against Evans, I think henderson will enjoy a pretty sizable advantage in terms of effective punching, but he is going to have to fight smart and not let Evans tire him out before taking the fight over in the later rounds.
This is a tough fight to call because these are two very accomplished fighters with such similar styles. Evans has better takedowns, but Henderson is the more devastating striker and is better fighting from close range. I think this is going to be a very competitive fight, but ultimately I think Henderson’s ability to bully Rashad in the clinch and set up big power punches on his way out will make the difference. I think Henderson does enough here to earn a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Hendo by Unanimous Decision.
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