Near the end of 2013, Brandon Thatch turned some heads in the UFC with a second straight highlight-reel finish when he TKO’d Paulo Thiago in the first round. However, that victory would be the last time Thatch competed inside the Octagon as injuries have plagued the now 29-year-old. This Saturday night, he headlines the first UFC event of his career when he meets former lightweight kingpin Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night 60. For Thatch, it not only marks his much anticipated return, but also gives him the opportunity to put the welterweight division on notice as he looks to take out a former UFC champion.
When he started his professional MMA career in 2008, Thatch had the benefit of living in Colorado which already had a vibrant MMA scene. The Elevation Fight Team product cut his teeth in the Ring of Fire promotion, where he competed for that organization five times as a pro and twice as an amateur. Aside from the one blemish on his resume – a split decision loss to Brandon Magana at a Strikeforce event in 2008 – Thatch was finishing all of his fights impressively. It wasn’t until he submitted former UFC fighter Mike Rhodes at RFA 7 in 2013 that the UFC took notice and signed him to a contract. At 11-1, Thatch now faces his stiffest test yet in an opponent who boasts twice as many fights as him.
Henderson tried his luck climbing back up the UFC lightweight ladder after losing his 155-pound title to Anthony Pettis in 2013, but two consecutive setbacks have forced “Smooth” up to 170 pounds for the first time in his career. The MMA Lab product looks to make a memorable first impression in the welterweight division, as he aims to take out a fighter like Thatch on short notice — Thatch was originally slated to face Stephen Thompson, who was forced out of the bout with an injury Jan. 30.
Despite only having 12 career bouts, Thatch is the slight favourite heading into this matchup for a few reasons. Winning streak aside, he boasts a four-inch height and five-inch reach advantage over Henderson. It’s also the way he’s winning his fights. Not one of his 11 career victories have gotten out of the first round let alone to the judges’ scorecards. Despite being undersized in this fight, Henderson brings a wealth of experience that Thatch simply can’t match. He’s earned victories over lightweight standouts Frankie Edgar, Gilbert Melendez and Donald Cerrone. Is Thatch catching Henderson at the right time? That’s the big question.
Despite his extended layoff, Thatch is the younger, more explosive fighter. Henderson was knocked out for the first time in his career by Rafael dos Anjos last August just two fights ago. Even his previous victories against Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez didn’t come without controversy as many fans and pundits wondered if the former WEC champ actually deserved to have his hand raised in those matchups. With that said Henderson has always been a fighter who knows how to get the job done and pull out a victory.
If the 31-year-old Henderson can survive the early onslaught from his younger adversary, his chances significantly increase as the fight goes on. A win over Thatch could earn “Smooth” a Top 10 opponent in his next fight should he decide to remain in the new division. However, if Thatch can earn yet another impressive finish, he would not only propel himself up the welterweight rankings, but this could also be the breakout performance that could make him a star in the UFC.
