Report: Hendricks-Thiago Targeted for UFC Live 3

The event, which will air live on the Versus network, will be headlined by a welterweight clash between Danish striker Martin Kampmann and a rejuvenated Diego Sanchez. MMAJunkie.com was firs to report the potential Hendricks-Thiago matchup.

Hendricks was last seen at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale, dropping a hard-fought unanimous decision to up-and-comer Rick Story. The defeated was the first of Hendricks’ career. Prior to his loss to Story, the one-time Oklahoma State University wrestler had racked up 13 straight victories, including a four-fight streak with the UFC. In his promotional debut at UFC 101, the three-time Big 12 Conference champion knocked out “The Ultimate Fighter 7” winner Amir Sadollah in just 29 seconds. The Team Takedown product then proceeded to earn victories over Ricardo Funch, T.J. Grant and Charlie Brenneman before running into Story. The four-time collegiate All-American owns over half of his career wins by knockout.

Heavy-handed with a dangerous submission game, Thiago made a splash in the UFC when he knocked out contender Josh Koscheck with a devastating uppercut at UFC 95 in 2009. Though the Brazilian fell to perennial welterweight standout Jon Fitch in his next outing, Thiago bounced back to earn consecutive victories over durable wrestler Jacob Volkmann and the dynamic Mike Swick at UFC 106 and 109, respectively. In his bout with Swick, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt took home “Submission of the Night” honors for his fight-ending D’arce choke. Recently, however, Thiago dropped back-to-back contests for the first time in his career, losing to both UFC Live 3 headliners by unanimous decision.

Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann
C.B. Dollaway vs. Mark Munoz
Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page
Shane Roller vs. Thiago Tavares
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera
Rob Kimmons vs. Dongi Yang
Igor Pokrajac vs. Todd Brown
* Johny Hendricks vs. Paulo Thiago
* Alessio Sakara vs. Rafael Natal
* Erik Koch vs. Cub Swanson
* Steve Cantwell vs. Cyrille Diabate
* Dave Branch vs. Rousimar Palhares

* Not Official