Pierce vs. Hendricks Predictions

This is the official prediction commentary thread for Pierce vs. Hendricks. Let's see what you've got.

Close fight. But Hendricks will edge it out

I see this fight being very, very close, much like the Hendricks vs. Story fight. This is an excellent style match up, so props to Joe Silva on this one. These two have very close styles, both are strong wrestlers with great power in their hands. In this fight i see the two having a feeling out process circling the cage for about a minute or so then getting into a brawl in the center of the cage with Pierce coming forward being more aggressive but Hendricks landing strong power punches on Pierce and stunning him a bit. This will make Pierce attempt to clinch Hendricks against the cage or shoot for a takedown, but I see Hendricks being able to stop the takedown and get it standing again. From here I’m not too sure what exactly what will happen but i see Pierce being a little more tentative to go in and strike with Hendricks because of Hendricks' power. Regardless i think this fight will go to Hendricks based on his power and wrestling. Although if Pierce were to really grind it out I could see him winning a decision. In the end i really think this fight will be based on who trained harder, with Pierce needing to train extremely hard on his offensive wrestling and clinch game in order to wear on Hendricks and grind out a decision because that’s the only way I see Pierce winning. Hendricks on the other hand has many more ways to win which is why he’s my pick. I think Hendricks should train his defensive wrestling, based solely on the fact that Rick Story was able to take Hendricks down in their fight, and I would argue that Pierce has better wrestling than Story does. This wouldn’t be something difficult for Johny, I just think he should sharpen up his defensive wrestling a bit just to insure Pierce wont be getting any takedowns at all and he can keep it on the feet and hurt Pierce with his power. Just to be safe I’m going to say Hendricks by decision because Pierce has never been finished in his career, but I could see Hendricks winning by TKO if he were to hurt Pierce early on when his power is strongest. Regardless I think match ups that make sense after this fight are for the winner of this fight to either have a similar fight against Jake Ellenberger, or to fight the winner of Diego Sanchez vs. Matt Hughes.

This fight is super tough to pick, I may put down a small bet on Pierce though at those odds, he did give Fitch a really close fight.

I agree, he's been the closest to beating Fitch in my oppinion, more so than BJ Penn.  I think i actually scored that fight in Pierce's favor, he's definitely a tough dude.

i like hendricks in this fight. i think his wrestling is better.

Mike Pierce is probably the most underrated under the radar welterweight in the division.

I'm gonna say Hendrixks is the better wrestler so im goin with his.

I thought he had like a draw against Fitch but says loss by decision... Meh I still got Pierce!

Hendricks finishes this quickly.

I say Hendricks weathers the early storm and comes back for the stoppage victory.

i say Hendricks loses the 1st round by weathering a storm from peirce but he will comeback and win.

Im guessing Pierce is a fast starter? 

I will take Pierce to beat down Hendricks pretty badly...

Hendricks . . . by the length of his beard.

 Hendricks has a ton of potential.

Surprised so many picking Hendricks... This is going to be a one sided pounding and Pierce is swinging the hammer!

hendricks looks like one of the spartans in 300. he will conquer.

Gonna take the man that almost stopped Jon Fitch

Aside from Story the fight, I don't recall Hendricks having a problem with anyone.

doesnt pierce train at the same place as story? its called legion.