IT’S HARD TO believe, but there’s only a pound of a weight difference between these two.
Benson Henderson and Brandon Thatch will square off in the main event at this evening’s UFC Fight Night event in Colorado, and Thatch has certainly got one up on his rival when it comes to size.
With the exception of Conor McGregor, Thatch is generating more hype than any other UFC prospect at the moment, as evidenced by the fact that he’s got a main-event slot in what is only his third bout in the UFC.
Thatch was scheduled to face Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson in tonight’s welterweight contest, but Henderson stepped in as a late replacement a couple of weeks ago when Thompson pulled out due to injury.
With 12 UFC fights under his belt and having previously been the UFC lightweight champion, Henderson has the edge when it comes to experience. But the 31-year-old will have a massive size disadvantage against Thatch tonight.
Henderson fought as recently as last month and after taking this bout against Thatch on such short notice, he’s decided on a move up to the welterweight division (170lbs) from lightweight (155lbs) for one night only.
He has spoken in the past about a long-term switch to welterweight, but after coming face-to-face with Brandon Thatch at last night’s weigh-ins, we reckon Henderson might be having second thoughts.
Thatch weighed in at 170lbs, while Henderson tipped the scales at 169lbs. MMA fighters are known for going to extraordinary — and often dangerous — lengths to cut weight, and while risking your health in such a way is never justified, the size difference between Henderson and Thatch illustrates just why they do it.
