Nick is tough as nails, will punch til the end and his jits is good but Bendo has a better striking arsenal and is vicious. His wrestling can make the difference. My only concern for Bendo is sometimes I think he is not the better striker but doesn't go to plan B because he is a vicious fighter who wants to knock you out. If it goes to the ground, he can handle it but soemtimes needs to accept when the fight isn't going his way i.e. Pettis and Edgar and even Cerrone. If he is losing the boxing, will he be stubborn til the end and perhaps lose or will he take to the fight to an area he has a clear advantage - wrestling.
That's something to think about, and I believe Ben Henderson has better cardio too. I have a feeling he makes a comeback in this one.
I think Bendo might find himself in a choke that he can't get out of this time around. He gives up submissions all the time knowing that he has the ability to escape, but I think he will pay for it against Nate.
This. So hard to pick this one. Maybe Bendo tries to go all 'champ' on us and vies for control, Nate looks beastly at 155 though and is so active and dangerous on the ground. Bendo is unlikely to try and stay ultra-disciplined IMO, it's gonna' be a war. Great fight.
I'm going to go with Bendo. I think he has learnt from the Pettis fight and will use his westling to win a close UD.
Very true. He does have sick jits though and sometimes looks impossible to submit. However the Diazs and Shields continous training makes jits looks stupidly easy for them.
I think the number of rounds are going to hurt Henderson. I think he is strong enough to take at least 2 of the first 3 rounds, but I think Diaz will turn the fight around here. I think Diaz will start doing some serious damage with his punches around the 4th round, and really start breaking Henderson down. I look for Nate to find a way to finish Henderson due to strikes, or by setting up a submission based on Henderson's reactions to his strikes. I think Henderson's only chance is to win the first 3 rounds, and squeak out a decision. I think he is going to be holding on for dear life if the fight goes to round 5.
You might be right. I'm not joking when I say, those ***** slaps from Diaz eventually add up. He is tough, but I'll be hoping he eats canvas.
Nate is a different animal, he will do well. But, I don't think he will win over the distance. I'm glad this is backed by a STACKED card because I'm thinking about Pacman v Marquez more than anything.
