It seemed like everything was conspiring against UFC Fight Night 60, an event that will take place this Saturday (14) in Broomfield, Colorado (USA). There were several changes to the attraction's programming, including changes to the main fight on more than one occasion, but, in the end, the main event will bring a special attraction for fans: the long-awaited debut of former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at welterweight.
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However, the path to defining the final card of UFC FN 60 was not easy. Originally, the main fight would be between Matt Brown and Tarec saffiedine, also at welterweight. At the beginning of the year, however, Saffiedine left the card due to an injury. Brown, without an opponent, was transferred to UFC 185, when he faces John hendricks, leaving the main fight of the night to Brandon thatch e Stephen Thompson.
The combat, which would put two of the most skilled and explosive strikers of the division, was promising in technical terms, but lacked appeal to the general public. That changed with Thompson's departure, also due to injury, which paved the way for Henderson's arrival.
Lightweight champion between 2012 and 2013, Henderson frequently flirted with the top category, which has a weight limit of 7 kg more. The opportunity came at the last minute, but, after a successful stint in the 70 kg division, Henderson will finally be able to test himself in the new category, without having to exhaust himself to the extreme with the weight cut. Coming from a delicate moment in the UFC, with three defeats in the last five fights, the former champion will have the chance to experience a fresh start. The athlete himself has already stated that the experience should not be repeated, as, after that, he intends to return to the lightweight division, but a good result could make him change his mind.
Even though Henderson is the star of the show, Thatch's performance is worth keeping an eye on. The North American still has a discreet resume in MMA, but in his fights he presents a technical and sharp striking, even having already quickly dispatched Paulo thiago with a well-aimed knee to the abdomen.
Featherweight promise, Holloway faces veteran “Magrinho”
The rest of the UFC Fight Night 60 card has some certain attractions, although the names may not be widely known to the public. In the co-main fight of the night, Max Holloway faces Cole Miller in an interesting duel in the featherweight division.
At just 23 years old, Holloway is a name that draws attention among UFC promises. The Hawaiian has won four consecutive victories and hasn't known what it's like to lose since August 2013, when he fell to Conor McGregor. Your opponent is the veteran Cole Miller, a UFC athlete since 2007, who returns to action after a full year off.
“Magrinho”, as he is known, comes from two consecutive victories, against Andy Ogle and Sam Sicilia. He was due to face the same McGregor last year, but ended up suffering an injury that left him out for a long period.
UFC FN 60 will also feature Neil Magny, an athlete who won all five of his fights in the octagon in 2014. The event will feature two Brazilians: Michel Trator is looking for his third consecutive victory against Kevin Lee, and Rodrigo de Lima squares off with TUF 8 champion Efrain Escudero.
Check out the complete UFC FN 60 technical sheet:
Location: 1st Bank Center Gym, Broomfield, Colorado (USA)
Card start time: 22pm (Brasília time)
TV broadcast: Combate Channel (full card)
MAIN CARD
Welterweights: Ben henderson x Brandon thatch;
Feathers: Max Holloway x Cole Miller;
Welterweights: Neil Magny x Kiichi Kunimoto;
Medium: Dan Kelly x Patrick Walsh;
Mild: Michel Tractor x Kevin Lee;
Flies: Ray Borg x Chris Kelades
PRELIMINARY CARD:
Feathers: Nik lentz x Levan Makashvili
Mild: Efrain Escudero x Rodrigo de Lima;
Feathers: Chas Skelly x Jim Alers;
Flies: Zach Makovsky x Tim Elliott;
Mild: James Moontasri x Cody Pfister
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