Every so often a fighter comes along who for all the right reasons stokes your interest. With 11 first-round wins (11 – 1), 6 of those wins in under the first minute! Brandon Thatch is one of those fighters. As is often the case when fighters enter the UFC, critics will say, he hasn’t fought anyone of UFC calibre yet!
That may or may not be true. But in the case of Rukus, without skipping a beat, he has continued where he has left off in RFA. With two first-round stoppages in his first two outings for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It’s becoming apparent that Thatch is as dangerous a finisher you will find anywhere in the sport.
Originally scheduled to fight another standout in Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson this coming weekend at UFC Fight Night in Broomfield Colorado. With Thompson subsequently forced out of the matchup, the chances of finding a welterweight of Thompson’s calibre to fill the void at such short notice were slim and the card was beginning to look a bit doubtful.
Up steps the former WEC and UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson, who having just lost to Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone. Decided to follow through on his long time aspiration to move up in weight. Not one for shying away from a fight, the former champion definitely picked a game opponent on which to first test himself at 170.
Now fully recovered from a shoulder injury which had the man from Elevation out for over a year. He is once again ready to jump back into action as he looks to re-establish himself as a force in the welterweight division. Something his former training partner Georges Saint Pierre, who before Thatch had signed on the UFC’s dotted line said; “I believe Brandon Thatch could be in the UFC right now.”
And in the UFC he is, for just after those comments. Thatch went on to defeat Mike Rhodes in his one and only stint with Resurrection Fighting Alliance. A promotion which has become synonymous for funneling talent into the ranks of the UFC.
Brandon Thatch vs Mike Rhodes RFA 7 Thatch vs Rhodes
How he will look on his return to the octagon is anyone’s guess. But with people such as renowned Grudge Training Center head coach Trevor Wittman singing his praises, saying his student is a “Guaranteed world champion,” “No doubt in my mind. World champion. He’s just so talented.” Will the man from Denver live up to such high expectations?
At 29 Brandon Thatch is still relatively young in the sport, with a number of years ahead of him in his career to make a mark. Will this weekends fight against Henderson offer the perfect launch pad to propel him back into the psyche of the UFC faithful. With his distinctive Mohawk, his collection of ardent female followers and proven track record inside the cage. He has all the attributes to become a highly marketable and successful athlete within the sport.
Only time will tell if he can live up to the bar which he himself set! This weekend at UFC Fight Night Henderson Vs. Thatch, we find out.
Brandon Thatch vs Patrick Vallee Instinct MMA Instinct Fighting 2 (15 second TKO)
Image courtesy of themmacorner.com
