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FIGHT ODDS

UFC Fight Night 24 Preview: The Prelims

Jason ProbstMar 24, 2011
Johny Hendricks (right) has shown flashes of standup ability. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com


Welterweights
Johny Hendricks vs. Anthony Waldburger

The Matchup: A two-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American at Oklahoma State University, Hendricks is one of the new breed of elite college wrestlers invading MMA. Waldburger is slick with submissions and will definitely find himself in need of one given the matchup.

Like most wrestlers of his ilk, Hendricks’ MMA game will go as far as the rest of his skills evolve. At this point, he has shown some flashes of standup ability but is not quite comfortable with that phase of the sport. That is not necessarily a bad thing if the other guy cannot exploit it. His lone loss, a decision in his last bout to the talented Rick Story at “The Ultimate Fighter” 12 Finale, was a good learning experience for a fighter early in his career, and he should be better for it.

The Pick: Training with Marc Laimon means Hendricks will have adequate submission defense, so unless he makes a mistake and gets caught, he should be able to work to a decision or late stoppage.

Continue Reading » Next Fight: Aaron Simpson vs. Mario Miranda