UFC veteran Mark Bocek (9-3, 5-3 UFC) welcomes Ben Henderson (12-2) to the UFC in a lightweight bout at UFC 129. This fight will open the pay-per-view broadcast. For information on how to see the PPV read: How to Watch ‘UFC 129: St. Pierre vs Shields’ Live Online and On Television
How do these guys stack up?
Bocek: 29 years old | 5’9″ | 75″ reach
Henderson: 27 years old | 5’9″ | 70″ reach
What have these guys done lately?
Bocek: W – Dustin Hazelett (SUB) | L – Jim Miller (UD) | W – Joe Brammer (SUB)
Henderson: L – Anthony Pettis (UD) | W – Donald Cerrone (SUB) | W – Jamie Varner (SUB)
How did these guys get here?
Bocek started his career 4-0 in Canada before losing his UFC debut to current lightweight champ Frankie Edgar at UFC 73. Four of Bocek’s five UFC victories have come by submission, including his triangle choke victory over Dustin Hazelett at UFC 124 in Montreal.
Ben Henderson made his WEC debut with a submission victory over Anthony Njokuani after a 7-1 start to his career. He won the undisputed WEC lightweight title from Jamie Varner at WEC 46, and defended it once against Donald Cerrone at 48. He dropped the belt to Anthony Pettis and his “Showtime Kick” at the WEC 53, that organization’s final event before its assimilation into the UFC.
Why should you care?
Bocek is a solid middle-of-the-road UFC lightweight. Ben Henderson is a former WEC champion. This will add more evidence in the great WEC lightweight debate.