The event, which will air live on the Versus network, will be headlined by a welterweight clash between Danish striker Martin Kampmann and a rejuvenated Diego Sanchez. MMAJunkie.com was firs to report the potential Hendricks-Thiago matchup.
Hendricks was last seen at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale, dropping a hard-fought unanimous decision to up-and-comer Rick Story. The defeated was the first of Hendricks’ career. Prior to his loss to Story, the one-time Oklahoma State University wrestler had racked up 13 straight victories, including a four-fight streak with the UFC. In his promotional debut at UFC 101, the three-time Big 12 Conference champion knocked out “The Ultimate Fighter 7” winner Amir Sadollah in just 29 seconds. The Team Takedown product then proceeded to earn victories over Ricardo Funch, T.J. Grant and Charlie Brenneman before running into Story. The four-time collegiate All-American owns over half of his career wins by knockout.
Heavy-handed with a dangerous submission game, Thiago made a splash in the UFC when he knocked out contender Josh Koscheck with a devastating uppercut at UFC 95 in 2009. Though the Brazilian fell to perennial welterweight standout Jon Fitch in his next outing, Thiago bounced back to earn consecutive victories over durable wrestler Jacob Volkmann and the dynamic Mike Swick at UFC 106 and 109, respectively. In his bout with Swick, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt took home “Submission of the Night” honors for his fight-ending D’arce choke. Recently, however, Thiago dropped back-to-back contests for the first time in his career, losing to both UFC Live 3 headliners by unanimous decision.
Diego
Sanchez vs. Martin
Kampmann
C.B.
Dollaway vs. Mark
Munoz
Brian
Bowles vs. Damacio
Page
Shane
Roller vs. Thiago
Tavares
Takeya
Mizugaki vs. Francisco
Rivera
Rob
Kimmons vs. Dongi
Yang
Igor
Pokrajac vs. Todd
Brown
* Johny
Hendricks vs. Paulo
Thiago
* Alessio
Sakara vs. Rafael
Natal
* Erik
Koch vs. Cub
Swanson
* Steve
Cantwell vs. Cyrille
Diabate
* Dave
Branch vs. Rousimar
Palhares
* Not Official
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