UFC Fight Night ‘Henderson vs. dos Anjos’ Preview

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Welterweights

Alex Garcia (12-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Neil Magny (11-3, 4-2 UFC): This is a fantastic bit of matchmaking. Garcia is one of the most talented young fighters in the UFC, a hulking mass of power, explosiveness and brutal strength married to a technically proficient and well-rounded game. Magny has improved into a solid, high-output striker in the aftermath of his uninspiring run on “The Ultimate Fighter 16.” Garcia will have some initial trouble breaking through Magny’s immense height and reach advantages, but eventually, “The Dominican Nightmare” will succeed in forcing Magny to fight close to the cage, where that edge in range means substantially less. Barrages of powerful hooks followed by well-timed takedowns will allow Garcia to work his brutal top game, and the finish will come soon after. Garcia wins by ground-and-pound TKO in round two.

Flyweights

Wilson Reis (17-5, 1-1 UFC) vs. Joby Sanchez (6-0, 0-0 UFC): A 23-year-old Greg Jackson protégé. Sanchez makes his UFC debut on short notice, replacing an injured Tim Elliott. He is a prospect to watch in the still-thin flyweight division, but he walks into a brutal debut against a world-class grappler in Reis. Sanchez is an excellent defensive wrestler with great balance and athleticism, smooth movement at range and powerful punches and kicks. Reis will not let Sanchez get away with overcommitting, misjudging distance and his occasional defensive lapses, however, and that will allow the Brazilian to work his takedowns and ultra-slick top game. Reis finds a submission in the second round.

Lightweights

Beneil Dariush (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Tony Martin (8-1, 0-1 UFC): This is an intriguing fight between two talented young grapplers. Martin, a product of American Top Team, has freakish length for the division and uses it well, while Dariush is one of the prized students of former Chute Boxe impresario Rafael Cordeiro. If this takes place on the feet, it will turn into a mediocre striking match, but on the ground, this should be pure fire. I think it will include a little of both, and Dariush is just a hair more polished and well-rounded in all phases. Dariush wins by unanimous decision.

Bantamweights

Matt Hobar (8-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Aaron Phillips (5-1, 0-1 UFC): Both Hobar and Phillips lost late-notice debuts back in May -- Hobar to Pedro Munhoz and Phillips to Sam Sicilia -- and the loser here is likely to get his walking papers. Neither is a blue-chipper, but they some talent. Hobar flashes high-amplitude takedowns and has some pop in his hands, while Phillips is a talented striker but lacks much of a wrestling or grappling game. Phillips struggled against a guy who could repeatedly get him to the mat last time out, and the same outcome seems likely here. Hobar takes it by unanimous decision.

Welterweight

Ben Saunders (16-6-2, 4-3 UFC) vs. Chris Heatherly (8-1, 0-0 UFC): “Killa B” Saunders makes his return to the UFC after a four-year absence, as he meets newcomer Heatherly. The latter boasts an absolutely relentless combination of wrestling and grappling and has enough power in his hands, while Saunders offers a dynamic combination of slick submissions and vicious muay Thai on the feet. Heatherly is hittable, and his tendency to duck his head bodes poorly against a fighter who throws knees like Saunders. Knees bring Saunders a knockout round two.

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