Surging welterweights Dustin Hazelett (12-4) and Ben Saunders (7-0-2) will clash at UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, according to a recent Sherdog.com report.
As expected, “McLovin” — a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt phenom under Jorge Gurgel — will continue his rise to division contender status in front of his hometown fans. The 22-year-old submission specialist is on a two-fight win streak, tapping Tamdan McCrory and and Josh Burkman, respectively, in his last two appearances.
Hazelett has won five of seven fights inside the Octagon and appears to get better with each performance. He’ll be out to prove once again that he is a serious threat in the 170-pound division when he takes on “Killa B.”
Saunders is coming off a lopsided first round ass-kicking of Brandon Wolff at UFC Night 16: “Fight For the Troops” just last month. The former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 channeled the Muay Thai skills of UFC Middleweight Champion to totally rout the Hawaiian in his Octagon debut.
It was impressive (and painful) to watch to say the least. Saunders has been perfect (3-0) since his stint on the mixed martial arts reality series, defeating Ryan Thomas at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” in August and Dan Barrera via unanimous decision at TUF 6 Finale.
He is a very big welterweight. It will be interesting to see how the lanky Hazelett handles his size and if he can use it to his advantage by using his long limbs to secure a fight-ending submission.
To check out the latest UFC 96 fight card, which currently is awaiting a main event, as well as rumors for the show click here.
34 Comments »
well i was hoping it would be hazelett and shields. we’ll see if saunders comes out unsnapped.
this fight wouldn’t have been tough to call a month ago…but now? Ben’s got subs too and looked great in the clinch…
against a scrub. mclovin is top tier on the ground and dangerous on the feet. i think saunders is gonna get tapped if it goes to the ground.
Im with you, Hazelett takes it fairly easy on the ground and probably in the stand-up too.
No way. Killa B will bring the fight. His stand up is better than Mclovins. While hazelett is a wizard on the ground, Saunders has skills and remember that its easier to defend a submission than apply it. If Saunders fights this fite the way that Mir fought Nogeuira, keeping it standing, he mite be able to take this one.
i think burkaman. mcrory and kos were bigger tests. this seems like a step down to me. what have we seen from saunders besides landing 50 unanswered knees from a wet behnind the ears brandon wolf?
this is a great match up! Saunders is my boy! love that guy…great Mentally! I am happy to see him get a bump up in competition against McLovin, who I am also a big fan of.
Normally, you would have to lean towards Hazlett, but this is too tough to call cause Ben makes HUGE improvements from one fight to the next.
I can see both these kids being top 10 one day.
Yeah, both of these guys are on a fast rise up the WW ladder. I originally didn’t like Ben, but he’s impressed me recently. I’ll go with Dustin Hazelett by reverse armbar or omaplata or flying heel hook or some crazy shit. I think Ben will come to fight, but I don’t think he will stop McClovin.
Said it perfect Jonsey. I agree. Mclovin takes it via some awesome BJJ spectacle.
It’s a shame that such an impressive victory led to the bad luck of being fed to Hazelett. But who knows, Saunder’s is a scrapper, maybe he can put something together.
Maybe some knees on a silver platter . . .
I like this more then the other fight i think, but what happen to Hazelett vs Burkman
sorry fight already happen, dont ridicule me please
Mania, why cant you moderate me when i say something as stupid as that haha
we should be able to erase one of our posts per day. like a mulligan!
that would be awesome, as i was hitting the “add comment” button i was like Damnit that was stupid. Mania, jonsey has a good idea and i agree, one mulligan per person per month. Thanks
WOW nevermind that was stupid….already fought sickest armbar ever
Sorry Jonsey. . . Still should be a battle, watch those knees Dustin!!!
LoL, ehoglund you make me laugh, a mulligan! Nice, but id be using more than one a day! Just like on the real course = )
Saunders is a beast on the feet now, but I dont think he has the ground game to match up with Hazelett.
curious to see main card
main event
lidell fight
jardine fight
gonzaga vs carwin
then u have this fight
vera vs patt which should be pre lim and also
maynard vs miller fight
one of these will be a prelim
but i will be there live
Now this is an interesting match up imo. We will see what Saunders is made of in this match up
We’ll see what Hazelett is made of you mean.
Hazelett has a pro record of 14 wins and lost 4 and is 22 years old, Saunders has a pro record of 7 wins and 2 draws and is 25 years of age. Hazelett has double the amount of pro fights than Saunders and is 3 years younger. So thats why I think we will find out what Saunders is made of when they battle
CHICKA CHICKA YEAH FAKE ID FAKE ID!!!!!
Ive loved Ben ever since the first time I saw him fight in TUF. He could knock Dustin out if he doesnt get caught in a sub first.
hazellet by submission
This is a great fight, i really like both fighters. Amazing guys to watch and always seem to entertain. I really see Hazelett’s superior BJJ in this fight being the factor. That said Sub for Hazelett in round 2.
I’m excited for this fight.I’m giving the advantage to Dustin
This will be an entertaining fight….
DAMN good matchup here.
It will be fucking quick. A Ko by Saunders or a Crazy Submissions by Hazelett.
Saunders’ Muay Thai looked awesome..He was actually my pick in TUF
well Dustin is from Louisa KY and so am I so of course I will be picking Dustin Hazelett..ben saunders’ muay thai looked really good againts brandon wolf..thats the only reason because it was brandon wolf…
Hazelett 2nd round arm bar..