Dustin Hazelett set for return at UFC 96 in Columbus

UFC Welterweight standout Dustin Hazelett (12-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is reportedly set to make his return to the octagon at UFC 96. The event is scheduled for March 7 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Although no bout agreements have been officially signed, Hazelett’s likely opponent will be Ben Saunders (7-0-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC). MMAJunkie.com has confirmed the news with a source close to Team Gurgel, Hazelett’s Cincinnati-based fight team.

Hazelett is coming off a recent reverse armbar submission victory over fellow contender Tamdan McCory at UFC 91. The victory netted Hazelett an additional $20,000 “Submission of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” bonus to add to his fight purse. A few months earlier at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 7, Hazelett put on a display of Jiu Jitsu that arguably rocketed his career to the next level. He transitioned from a whizzer into an absolutely gorgeous flying armbar submission on Josh Burkman. The submission put an extra $60,000 in his pocket and was immediately considered to be a “Submission of the Year” candidate.

When asked to comment on the submission victory over Burkman in his post fight interview, Hazelett described it as being purely conceptual. He said (not verbatim), “Once you get to a certain level in Jiu Jitsu it’s not so much about performing specific manuevers but applying concepts without having to think much.”

In his last two bouts, Hazelett has racked up close to $100,000 in fight bonuses and has even earned his Jiu Jitsu black belt from Jorge Gurgel in between. Hazelett’s undeniably dominant skills on the ground have solidified his status in the division.

Ben Saunders has been most recently praised for his expert display of the Muay Thai clinch in his recent dismantling of Brandon Wolff at the “Fight for the Troops” event. Joe Rogan labeled the performance as “quite possibly the most devastating display of the clinch” in quite some time. The comparisons with that of Anderson SIlva shortly followed.

While Saunders provides an interesting style matchup to Hazelett, my initial instinct is that he is sorely in over his head here. Aside from the clinch, I can’t really see a point in this bout where Hazelett would be in trouble. Saunders is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and is solid on the ground, but no way near the level of Hazelett. If the fight goes to the ground, Saunders will be utterly outmatched. Hazelett has improved his standup drastically in the recent year and should be able to stay on the outside and avoid too much damage.  Saunders’ best chance to win this fight will be to show a degree of aggression and push the action. Using a combination of leg kicks, jabs, and straight punches, he could possibly force Hazelett against the cage in attempt to work his clinch.  The speculation favoring Saunders is warranted, but that outcome is unlikely.

Assuming this fight happens, I pick Hazelett to win. He possess a far too well rounded skill set for Saunders to handle. Ah, what the heck, let’s go with Dustin “McLovin” Hazelett by yet another impressive submission victory. Rack up another submission victory for Hazelett and another “Submission of the Night” bonus to supplement his income.