UndercarDVR: UFC Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson

Welcome to another installment of UndercarDVR, where we review what you need to see from this week in combat sports. We go fight by fight to see whether it needs to be watched, saved, deleted, or watched in fast forward.

The once and former UFC 196 nee, Fight Night: Hendricks vs. Thompson was on basic this Saturday with a slate that was ….iffy.  Some nice prelims fights, however, but a main event that looked laughable and was, but for the wrong reasons.

Stephen Thompson defeated Johny Hendricks by first-round TKO in a welterweight bout.

• This fight ended up being a tale of two fighters. Hendricks has seemingly hit his peak and his next fight will be a good determinant of what he has left in his tank. However,  despite being the same age, Thompson has finally hit a point of overachieving that has him on the cusp of a title shot. Thompson took advantage of Hendricks and his love for striking, which may be the downfall of his career. Chins can only take so much and a fighter can only have so many back-and-forth fights in a career. Add to that the excruciating toll of collegiate wrestling and weight cut and injury issues and it is easy to see why Hendricks may be falling off the mountain. Thompson should be jettisoned into a co-main title eliminator or a title shot immediately after this to capitalize on the flashy striker. It is hard to say whether Thompson will have staying power at the top, but it will at least be exciting either way.
• The fight didn’t last a round and Thompson put a nice combo on Hendricks at the end to finish the fight. Both exciting and relevant for the future of two of the welterweight division’s exciting fighters, it is can’t miss. Verdict: Watch.

Roy Nelson defeated Jared Rosholt by unanimous decision in a heavyweight bout.

• In a fight that played out as expected if it were to go to a decision, Roy Nelson got a victory here in as ugly as possible fashion. This pretty much had the stench of Rosholt ceiling test vs. Nelson needs a win and Nelson proved that, despite his mountain of shortcomings, guys like Rosholt are the kind he can feast upon to keep his UFC career alive despite a boss that hates him and a style that manages to become even more tedious each bout.
• Nothing really to say here. Went as expected for a heavyweight fight that goes to decision and that is amplified when you consider the styles of the participants involved. Verdict: Skip.

Ovince St. Preux defeated Rafael Cavalcante by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout.

• Ovince St. Preux managed to take home a clear-cut victory despite fighting on a broken foot for two rounds. Rafael Cavalcante truly lived up to his word to fight a more methodical fight and he paid for it, as OSP rocked Feijao with each blow landed and fought a safe fight considering the injury. Feijao has nothing left to give on this level of the sport and OSP is always going to be hanging around the top ten in a division where athletic pedigree is more than enough to keep you in a steady job.
• Aside from the interesting concept of a fighter fighting through such a severe injury to win decisively, it wasn’t much to write home about as Feijao is completely shot and OSP fought even more reserved than usual (though no one can blame him here). Verdict: Skip.

Joseph Benavidez defeated Zach Makovsky by unanimous decision in a flyweight bout.

• Joseph Benavidez continued to solidify himself as an sure-to-be forgotten great as he fought off the wrestling Zach Makovsky to outstrike him and win the fight decisively in the final round. Benavidez is so well-rounded, but just doesn’t have that spectacular quality that puts him over the hump to win the gold. Makovsky is an underrated feather to put in an already impressive cap that should lead to Benavidez getting a title shot next or perhaps after one more fight to keep busy.
• Benavidez and Makovsky are generally always worth a look and this was no different, especially considering the fight came down to the final round. Benavidez should be enjoyed while he is still at the top level and Makovsky showed impressive wrestling against the quick and extremely hard to take down Benavidez. Verdict: Watch.

Misha Cirkunov defeated Alex Nicholson by second-round submission in a light heavyweight bout.

• Two fighters looked to earn a shot at the gatekeepers and lower ends of the top 15 here and Misha Cirkunov did it in impressive fashion with a brutal finish. Alex Nicholson was exciting as he threw flashy strikes and Cirkunov patiently waited for his opening. And boy, did he ever capitalize on that opening. Cirkunov could have a bright future in a shallow division, but he will at least always bring something to the table even if he doesn’t reach elite status.
• Nicholson was a fine dance partner here as he spun his way around the cage, but the real reason to watch is the finish that Cirkunov put together. Jaw-dropping, to say the least. Verdict: Watch.

Mike Pyle defeated Sean Spencer by third-round TKO in a welterweight bout.

• In the more “fun” fringe matchmaking of the welterweight division, Mike Pyle finally going over the hill at 40 and a brutal first round to come back and finish Sean Spencer. Pyle can still hang on to a job in the UFC with his fun style and can maybe be a prospect tester in what should be his last few years in the sport, while Spencer continues to hang onto a job by the skin of his teeth in a really inconsistent run in the big leagues.
• This isn’t a relevant fight by any means and that takes a few letter grades off of it, but it was a fun fight with a good comeback story. Definitely wouldn’t blame you for pushing fast-forward through the second, but you should at least stay for the first and see the finish. Verdict: Watch.