WSOF 4's Brandon Hempleman believes Marlon Moraes will underestimate his standup

While Marlon Moraes is a significant favorite over Brandon Hempleman at this Saturday’s World Series of Fighting 4 event, there’s one thing neither Moraes nor oddsmakers can prepare for: “Hot Rod’s” element of surprise.

Entering his promotional debut against one of the most highly touted bantamweight prospects in the game today, few are giving Hempleman a chance of getting his hand raised against an opponent riding an impressive four-fight win streak. ?

As for Hempleman (9-1), he views his under-the-radar profile as an advantage and believes his lack of notoriety will be advantageous against Moraes (10-4-1) come fight night, particularly in the striking department. ?

“I think he’s going to underestimate (my striking), so he better be ready for it,” Hempleman told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “There’s not a lot of video on me.”?

Having fought his first 10 professional bouts in regional promotions throughout the United States and Europe, Hempleman has quietly worked his way up to the opportunity he will get Saturday at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. ?

Moraes is a fighter who has received a lot of attention since defeating Miguel Torres and Tyson Nam in his first two WSOF appearances, and Hempleman has been keeping a close eye on his opponent’s body of work. ?

“I think (his standup) is good,” Hempleman said. “He’s slick. He keeps a nice high, tight guard, throws a lot, throws heavy. I think we match up well.”?

While the Idaho native has been able to follow Moraes’ development, he knows the fact all of his bouts have taken place in essentially unknown promotions gives him a certain advantage when it comes to exactly what type of fighter will show up. And if Moraes isn’t efficiently prepared, he could be the victim of an upset. ?

“I fought for promotions that don’t give video until the last one pretty much,” he said. “So I don’t know if he’s seen as much on me as I have on him.”?

Hempleman is aware that most expect him to be just another win for a fighter many consider to be part of the future of the bantamweight division, but that doesn’t fluster him at all. ?

On a card that, on paper, has several mismatches from a betting and arguably from a skills perspective, Hempleman is out to prove he has more tricks up his sleeve than perceived and those who view him as a pushover fight for Moraes are in for a disappointing evening. ?

“I’ve fought all over the place because they don’t bring me in to be their golden goose,” he said. “I’m brought in to lose, and I don’t like losing.”?

World Series of Fighting 4 takes place this Saturday and features a five-fight main card, which includes a light heavyweight headliner between Tyrone Spong (1-0) and Angel DeAnda (11-2). The event airs on NBC Sports Network at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT) following prelims that stream at MMAjunkie.com.

For more on WSOF 4, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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