Ben Saunders (5-0-2) has a new opponent lined up with less than two weeks until UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 9.
Ryan Thomas (9-1) will step up on short notice for Jared Rollins. No reason was provided for the last minute switch.
Thomas is on a two-fight win streak under the Extreme Challenge banner, which is based out of Illinois. He appears to be a finisher — none of his pro fights have ever gone the distance — who has a nice mix of submissions and (technical) knockouts to his credit.
This will mark his Octagon debut.
Saunders will look to build on his unanimous decision win over Dan Barrera at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale back in December 2007. He was eliminated during the quarterfinals of the mixed martial arts reality series when he ran into eventual finalist, the “Farm Boy” Tommy Speer.
To check out the latest UFC 87 fight card click here.
26 Comments »
DAMN IT! i wanted to see that one
Yep! It would have been a nice way for JAred to get back on track from his 2 previous losses!Daym!
Jared would have been killed by Saunders anyway! I am Ben Saunders #1 Fan! The kid is a stud in the making. Welterweights need to watch out for him in about 2 years! He is the real deal!
Jeet kun do Bitches!
J-Roc would have gotten crushed anyway! I am Saunders #1 Fan! This kid will be a MONSTER welterweight in about 2 years! Remember that you heard it here 1st!
It probably won’t be televised anyway.
Ironicly, Speer doesn’t have a UFC contract anymore.
Yeah thats crazy, one loss and he was cut…
two losses you mean?
he got destroyed in both his fights, im sure if he racks up a couple wins, he will be back
is the finale considered a debut fight? I know the fights on the show dont go on your record…
I doubt it, he re-signed with the WEC. He would have to show that he has a lot more flare then he actually does.
Ain’t always about w/l… more about putting people on the edge of their seats.
Of course fights on the finale are counted on their record. And he may have lost the UFC contract, but he is with the WEC now reportedly.
two weeks? thats tough. especially for a debut
i don’t know tim boetch did well in the same situation and so di houston so did eye pokey mcgee. i know i know they havn’t proven to be as good as their deputes but still did well on short notice for their deputs.
ye it is but i wreckon he thinks he can beat saunders!
imo tuf 6 was the weakest season ever i mean a 155 guy walked it! season 5 and season 1 were the best! and saunders didnt even make the semi-finals! tommy speer who beat him just got his ass beat twice so im sure thomas thinks saunders isnt the worst person to debut against! think about it he could be fighting someone like dustin hazzlet, marcus davis or someone else higher ranked at 170
I train with Ryan Thomas and he’s going to beat hte snot out of Saunders.
His strength, and ground is incredibly not to mention his Muy Thai.
He’s a thriller, and he’s fought hard fights.
Rob, your boy is going to get CRUSHED! Ben is the real deal and constantly is improving. HIs frame will be a nightmare to the welterweight division.
I am guaranteeing a win for Saunders RIGHT NOW!!! Take that to the BANK!
Ben isn’t as experienced as well all think. One UFC fight against Dan Barrerra isn’t enought to win me over to guarantee a victory. I also am a fan of Ben, you gotta love his attitude. However, this kid that he’s fighting is an unknown. Sometimes, those prove to be very dangerous fights. Ben should be a sizeable favorite to win this fight based on his UFC experience, which is a win over Dan Barrera who had like 1 fight prior to TUF.
agreed but i think ben has the mental game needed to be successful, and I believe he will continue to improve….I am a really big fan of saunders!
i thought Speer would be something special. I was off.
Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com
You know your name is already on all your comments, kind of a waste of time adding it again at the bottom of every one1
True. lol
Right, its so annoying.
-ViolentMike
Saunders via Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch!!!
i think ben will take this, i’ve seen him fight in local shows and this dude is a beast, i definitely think he would’ve won tuf if it wasnt for his nose.
RYAN’S A BAD DUDE! I SEE A KNOCKOUT IN THE FIRST ROUND
LMAO – Ryan WHO?! Exactly! Ben dominated all along! Good call Rob! You better train with your boy a bit more! Do some Arm Bar drills – Like how to get out of em and how to avoid em! LoL Like John said, just wait, Ben Saunders will be a household name in UFC fighting soon!