Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Chiesa vs. Lee’

Middleweights

Tim Boetsch (20-11) vs. Johny Hendricks (18-6)

THE MATCHUP: In Hendricks’ middleweight debut, a three-round date with Hector Lombard, we saw some things we had not seen from him in some time. The former welterweight champion looked fast and willing to pull the trigger. He looked confident in his new weight class, so much so that he based his game plan on wearing down Lombard round by round without fear of slowing down himself. Perhaps most importantly, he looked like he was having fun. Hendricks smiled and mugged during the fight, and he chatted cheerily with his corner between rounds. There was a bit of an adjustment period as Hendricks felt the strength of Lombard’s clinch and he may experience the same thing against Boetsch, but overall, he looked refreshed.

What was most interesting about Hendricks’ middleweight debut was his approach. Ever since his fight with Georges St. Pierre in 2013, Hendricks has been picking up bits and pieces of striking skill. Sometimes these skills seem passing fancies -- lunging lead uppercuts, for example -- making Hendricks look like a kid testing out the moves of his favorite wrestler. Other times, they seem to find a welcome home in Hendricks’ arsenal, such as the long knees he used against Lombard. That fight, however, was the first in which Hendricks really looked the part of the slick striker he has toyed with becoming in the past. He moved well, feinted beautifully and showed great timing in avoiding the worst of Lombard’s replies. He took a few shots while adjusting to Lombard’s speed but his chin was up to the task, and down the stretch, it was Hendricks picking off Lombard on the way in and then slipping away to leave his foe swinging at air.

In many ways, Boetsch is similar to Lombard. He carries massive power in both hands, and he is extremely strong in the clinch. Then again, Boetsch lacks Lombard’s explosive speed, and he is just a little less technical in every area. Though his striking is more varied, it is rarely less predictable, especially without Lombard’s speed and reflexes. “The Barbarian” does deserve credit for his mental fortitude and remarkable powers of recuperation -- factors Lombard has never brought to the table -- and he tends to be a little more trigger-happy, too. In short, he is a similar opponent to the man Hendricks beat in his last fight: dangerous but limited.

THE ODDS: Hendricks (-220), Boetsch (+175)

THE PICK: At 33 years old and with a lifetime of weight cuts and combat sports behind him, Hendricks may not have much time left as an elite fighter. This move to middleweight seems like the best thing Hendricks has done in some time. This is a forgiving matchup for him as he finds his footing in the new division, and the agility, timing and pace he showed in the Lombard fight should come in handy here. The pick is Hendricks by unanimous decision.

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