Welterweight, Benjamin Bennett (6-1) vs. Joey Hart (6-1)
Notable Notes
- The only loss Bennett has is to current UFC fighter Trey Waters.
- Hart has a 100% finish rate.
- Bennett had an 18-4 amateur record and was an IMMAF world champion.
Benjamin Bennett
Pros
- Consistent pressure
- Good leg kicks
- High work-rate
- Heavy top position
- Volume striker
- Goes body-head frequently
- Good ground and pound
- Well-conditioned
- Submission threat
- Strong wrestling
Cons
- Overextends on punches
- Shoots in recklessly for takedowns
- Will sit in the pocket too long
- Slows as the fight goes
- Spams takedown entries
Joey Hart
Pros
- Good clinchwork
- Good jab
Cons
- Poor TDD
- Limited grappling
- Hands too low
- Lacks head movement
- Throws blind kicks
Prediction: Hart is only getting this opportunity because he’s coming off a brutal knockout win on an LFA card. I only say that’s the reason because his other fights aren’t available to watch outside of his loss. Bennett was a popular prospect a few years ago. He took a step back after a loss to Trey Waters. Waters is now a UFC fighter (and DWCS alum) and Bennett was winning that fight until he was caught in the last round. Since then, he’s won three fights but two are against the same guy and the other to a low-level guy.
I think if Hart wins it will be exciting but if Bennett comes out on top I can see it going three rounds. Bennett will strike but he’s not great defensively. I’d imagine with Hart being the longer striker Bennett will wrestle. He should anyways because the tape shows Hart getting taken down easily and struggling off his back.
Bennett tends to have good control when he gets taken down. With that said it may be tough to hold a guy like Hart down with him being so long. I do believe Bennett has the path to victory but he has to be careful of his takedown entries. A lot of it comes down to unknowns of Hart, and what’s known isn’t anything special. I’m taking Bennett by decision and I’m 35% confident.
