ROUNDTABLE: Who wins the Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Borrachinha fight and why?

Who wins the Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Borrachinha fight and why?

RICK MONSEY, MMATorch Contributor

I used to be a big fan of Hendricks but now I’m more of an observer of the fall.  He was knocking people out left and right and I was all on board for that.  But recently he’s been having so many lackluster fights I don’t even make a mental note to remember when he’s on a card.  Lately, seeing if Hendricks makes weight has become more of his story then what happens in the octagon.  I think he will miss weight, and lose this fight.  Eventually Hendricks will be another former UFC fighter trying to get a win in Bellator.

JOSHUA GARCIA, MMATorch Contributor

I think Paulo will win this fight by knockout. He is the younger and hungrier fighter (not intended as shot at Johny).

ZACK HEYDORN, MMATorch Contributor

Youth is one of the best weapons possible in the fight game. Paulo Borrachinha has an abundance of that weapon compared to Johny Hendricks. Borrachinha also has an undefeated 10-0 record with nine wins via knockout. Two of those knockouts have been in the UFC. That is a nice resume and one that he’ll add to with a win against Hendricks. My prediction is pretty simple. Borrachinha’s strength and power will be too much for Hendricks which will lead to a KO in round two.

SEAN COVINGTON, MMATorch Contributor

Johny Hendricks is so done, when he loses this one the UFC better cut him. Hendricks just can’t get anything done anymore including make weight.

JOHN HARRIS, MMATorch Contributor

Borrachinha by 2nd round TKO. Hendricks just is not the same fighter after the loss to Robbie Lawler three years ago. The once excellent wrestler with top notch one shot KO power is now just slightly above average in both those categories. His conditioning and training can also be brought into question as he recently missed weight for his middleweight debut.

Borrachinha is a 26 year old, undefeated, wrecking machine who will be looking to make a name for himself on a huge stage. In his first two career UFC fights,  Borrachinha finished both of his opponents by TKO.  Borrachinha is very aggressive but not sloppy.

Hendricks will be undersized in this fight. I just do not see him at this stage of his career being able to effectively out grapple Borrachinha which would appear to be his best shot at winning this fight.  Borrachinha should be able to finish this fight in similar fashion to the way Hendricks last opponent did, Tim Boetsch.

COLE HENRY, MMATorch Contributor

Paulo Borrachinha. Hendricks’ time as a top competitor has passed I think and despite his move to Jackson-Wink I just think the ship has already sailed. Maybe if he would have made the move sooner, but I don’t think it helps him much here. I think he loses via first round KO.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch Columnist

I guess I’ll go with Hendricks, though I’m not really confident choosing either guy to win. Hendricks definitely has the capability to win, but so does Borrachinha. I think this goes the distance and Hendricks wins a lackluster decision. The biggest element of intrigue for this fight will be seeing if Hendricks has any weight issues. The fight will be fine, but that’s the most interesting part of a Hendricks fight now.

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