Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is getting the biggest opportunity of his career this Saturday. The former pro kickboxer, on a five-fight win streak, will square off against former welterweight champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks in a matchup that pits decorated striker vs. decorated wrestler. What’s more, with the cancellation of Werdum-Velaquez in the headliner, this bout will be five rounds instead of the originally scheduled three.
Bet on UFC Fight Night 82 odds at BookMaker.eu
Johny Hendricks -280
Stephen Thompson +220
Over/under 2.5 rounds, over -165, under +145
Please note, the odds listed here may have changed, as BookMaker updates on a daily basis. You can also view a full range of prop bets when you sign into your account.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The odds at BookMaker show a huge swing from the opening money lines posted in a few sportsbooks. Henrdicks was originally a -350 favorite, but has moved down nearly 70 points to -280. Thompson opened at +285, but has shifted more than 60 points to +220. That means a ton of action is coming in on Thompson, or oddsmakers are trying to rectify poor opening values.
THE STAKES
This is a fight that has definite impact on the title picture. Hendricks is still considered a top-5 fighter at welterweight and has a legitimate case for a title challenge if he wins. Thompson, ranked No. 9 by the UFC, could introduce himself as a viable contender with a win over the former champ. It’s crowded at the top, but a fresh face is always welcome.
FIGHT PREVIEW
Thompson possesses dynamic, unorthodox kickboxing that makes him fun to watch and dangerous to fight. With a 6-1 record in the UFC, “Wonderboy” has found plenty of success with his strikes. And despite his reputation as a subpar wrestler, he has made noticeable improvements in his grappling.
Although Thompson came up short in his only fight against a top-10 opponent, Matt Brown, his last three wins suggest that he is still evolving. He knocked out Robert Whittaker, a solid prospect, decisioned Patrick Cote - who is fighting at career peaks, and notched a spectacular spinning hook kick over Jake Ellenberger, a reputed knockout artist.
The question is whether he can stay on his feet against Hendricks, who is one of the best wrestlers in the welterweight division. For a while, “Bigg Rigg” shied away from using his wrestling but the explosive takedowns and grinding top game was back in full force in his most recent fight against Matt Brown. And we all know about his concussive left hand, which retired Martin Kampmann.
Hendricks’ biggest enemy might be himself. He was actually set to face Tyron Woodley in a No. 1 contender bout at UFC 192, but a disastrous weight cut forced him out of the contest. This is pretty much his last chance to fight as a welterweight. It’s tough to imagine Hendricks hanging with much larger men at 185. He needs to come in on weight, and he needs a win to stay in the title mix.
THE SMART PLAYS
Hendricks’ -280 money line suggests that oddsmakers feel that if Hendricks resorts to his wrestling again, he should be able to control the majority of the three rounds. It’s fair to assume that he’ll want to fight smart and take away Thompson’s advantage on the feet. Hendricks to win is the safe play here.
However, if -280 is too expensive for your tastes, consider the over on 2.5 rounds at -165. Despite Hendricks’ sledgehammer left, he’s reached decision in his past five fights. And while Thompson is a superb striker, Hendricks has never been knocked out. There’s a great chance this fight reaches the final bell.
HOW TO BET
Access live betting lines at BookMaker Sportsbook and start wagering now. With our live betting options, you can also wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. UFC Fight Night 82 takes place on Saturday, February 6, 2015 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada. The main card will be televised on pay-per-view following the prelims on FOX Sports 1.
