A veteran of sixteen UFC bouts, the Matt Hume-trained Tim Boetsch will likely never contend for a title, but his reputation for violence has seen him become a fan-favourite fringe fighter in the middleweight division. Sculpted in the mold of early MMA pioneers, Boetsch is proficient in almost every aspect of the game, but a master of none. Relying almost exclusively on his pressure and strength to bully his opponents, ‘The Barbarian’ will often push the action against the fence, or take the fight to the ground to utilise his effective ground and pound. Good at dishing out punishment, Boetsch is arguably even better at taking it, with amazing comeback victories over Yushin Okami and Brad Tavares the most significant examples of his toughness.
Dan Henderson really needs no introduction. A decorated former Olympic competitor in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, a former two-division champion in Pride (The only mixed martial artist to do so), a UFC middleweight tournament winner, a former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, and the only man to have ever knocked out the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. Henderson has literally done it all in the sport. Unfortunately however time is an unbeatable adversary, a fact that ‘Hendo’ has refused to accept. Since his fight of the year with Shogun Rua back in 2011, he has sunk to a 1-5 record, a run that has included a devastating head kick knockout at the hands of Vitor Belfort, and a wincing, hard-to-watch mauling courtesy of the new light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
Dan Henderson was once one of the greatest mixed martial artists on the planet, but this isn't 2005 anymore.
Prediction: Once a terrifying prospect on the ground, Henderson grew to rely on the ungodly power in his fists, and his granite chin. Unfortunately for him however both have diminished considerably. Boetsch is nowhere near the level of fighters Henderson has encountered previously, but at his advanced age and without the benefit of TRT, ‘Hendo’ will likely struggle against just about anyone these days. Expect Boetsch to grind his opponent against the fence and dominate on the ground. If ‘The Barbarian’ isn't able to finish Henderson with strikes, expect him to dominate en-route to a unanimous decision victory.
Henderson is one of the toughest fighters I’ve ever seen, but he should have retired years ago. This will likely make for hard viewing. A sad ending to one of the greatest careers in the sport.
UFC Fight Night 68 Main Card Predictions - Picks in bold:
Bantamweight - Francisco Rivera vs. Alex Caceres
Bantamweight - Joe Soto vs. Anthony Birchak
Featherweight - Thiago Tavares vs. Brian Ortega
Lightweight - Dustin Poirier vs. Yancy Medeiros
Heavyweight - Ben Rothwell vs. Matt Mitrione
Middleweight - Tim Boetsch vs. Dan Henderson
UFC FIght Picks 2015 Record (34-12)
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