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There may not be a UFC pay-per-view this weekend, but there still will be a loaded UFC Fight Night 82 card worth checking out. The event will be headlined by a welterweight division bout pitting former champion Johny Hendricks against Stephen Thompson. Also, Jared Rosholt faces Roy Nelson and top flyweight title contenders will be stepping into the octagon.
Main Card
Main Event
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks (17-3-0) vs. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (11-1-0)
Hendricks has been undefeated since losing his welterweight title, having defeated Matt Brown by decision at UFC 185. Thompson will enter the bout riding a five fight winning streak and this will be his second main event bout in a row. Hendricks is a former UFC Welterweight Champion, but he was never able to make a successful title defense. Thompson only fought once in 2015, which is the lowest output of fights Thompson had in a single year since his pro career started in 2010. Thompson has the movement and striking game that will give Hendricks fits, but Hendricks has a relentless wrestling game and he uses that to get a decision win.
Co-Main Event
UFC Heavyweight Division Fight
Roy “Big Country” Nelson (20-12-0) vs. Jared “Big Show” Rosholt (14-2-0)
Nelson has only won just one of his last six fights, with that lone win coming over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Nogueira. Rosholt will enter the fight riding a three fight winning streak, last defeating Stefan Struve at UFC 193. Nelson is currently in the midst of a three fight losing streak, which is the longest losing streak of his pro career. Rosholt once challenged for the Legacy FC Heavyweight Championship, but lost to fellow UFC veteran Derrick Lewis. Nelson’s biggest strength is his powerful right hand, but Rosholt counters that with wrestling to earn a decision win.
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (12-6-0-1NC) vs. Ovince “OSP” St. Preux (18-7-0)
Cavalcante has only won just one of four in the UFC and he is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. St. Preux has headlined in three of his last four UFC appearances, winning just one of those three main event bouts. Cavalcante has looked nowhere near the fighter he was in Strikeforce, St. Preux catches him quickly with strikes for a first round finish.
UFC Flyweight Division Fight
Joseph Benavidez (23-4-0) vs. Zach “Fun Size” Makovsky (19-6-0)
Benavidez enters the fight on a four fight winning streak and his only two losses in the UFC have come to current UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. Makovsky has won just one of his last three under the UFC banner, with that lone win coming over Tim Elliot at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch. This will be a fight where both fighters will want to ground the other, but Benavidez is the better ground fighter and he earns a decision.
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Misha Cirkunov (10-2-0) vs. Alex “The Spartan” Nicholson (6-1-0)
Cirkunov is currently undefeated under the UFC banner, having defeated Daniel Jolly at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira. Nicholson will be making his UFC debut in this fight and only one of his seven fights went to a decision. Cirkunov’s skill set is far better when compared to Nicholson, Cirkunov grounds and pounds Nicholson on route to a first round finish.
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Mike “Quicksand” Pyle (26-11-1) vs. Sean “Black Magic” Spencer (12-4-0)
Pyle has only won just one of his last four under the UFC banner, with that lone win coming over TJ Waldburger at UFC 170. Spencer has rotated wins and losses in his last four UFC appearances, with his last bout being a loss to Cathal Pendred at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver. Pyle is a crafty veteran and Spencer will rely on his wrestling game, Pyle catches Spencer on the ground with a submission for a second round finish.
Preliminary Card
KJ Noons over Josh Burkman
Derrick Lewis over Damien Grabowski
Ray Borg over Justin Scoggins
Noad Lahat over Diego Rivas
Mickey Gall over Mike Jackson
Alex White over Artem Lobov
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