Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at Danish light heavyweight Joachim Christensen as he debuts against Luis Henrique at UFC Fight Night 96 in Portland, Oregon. Joachim Christensen Hometown: Denmark Age: 37 Height: 6’3” Reach: Weight Class: Light Heavyweight Camp: Brasa Copenhagen, Denmark Career Record: 13-3 Key Wins: Jonas Billstein, Max Nunes, Stephen Puetz Key Losses: None Background The Danish fighter makes a late jump to the UFC at 37 years of age. He enters the UFC on a five fight winning streaking have beaten quality regional opposition along the way. Fight Night 96 marks his first time competing in the United States. Strengths
- Decent length for the weight class
- Good chin
- Willing to push forward and strike
- Quick hands and an accurate overhand right
- Fights at a high pace
- Underrated submission game
Weaknesses
- Too willing to stand and trade with opponents
- Is capable of walking into a strike when pushing forward
- First time fighting in the US
Matchup against Luis “Frank Waisten”Henrique An interesting matchup between two high volume light heavyweights headlines the preliminary card at Fight Night 96 in Portland, Oregon. The Brazilian is the much younger fighter at just 27 years of age. Christensen debuts at 37 years old. Despite his age, Christensen has a very good gas tank and does an excellent job at a consistent pace. The Brazilian is the more powerful striker and it will be interesting to see how that plays out on the feet. Christensen has shown a very good chin in his last few fights and it will not be easy for the Brazilian to put him away. While Christensen is not a heavy hitter, his cardio makes life difficult for his opponents. On the ground, the advantage is for Christensen who is much more capable of holding positions and going for chokes. Christensen is the more well-rounded fighter, but the Brazilian is more explosive. This is a close fight on paper. I think the longer this fight lasts, the more it favors the Christensen. I give Christensen the slight edge in this bout, but I’m curious to see how he handles the body shots that Henrique will throw. That’s a bit of an unknown heading into this bout. UFC Ceiling Joachim Christensen is certainly towards the end of his career, but he hasn’t taken a lot of damage and his work rate will give him opportunities to compete with decent competition in the UFC. In a weight class like light heavyweight, it’s difficult to do well without big time knockout power. That’s what will limit Christensen’s ability to compete with the upper half of the UFC’s light heavyweight roster. With that said, I think he’s good enough to be on the roster and not look out of place. Fight Film Check out Joachim Christensen in some of his most recent fights: Joachim Christensen vs. Jonas Brillstein Joachim Christensen vs. Matti Makela Joachim Christensen vs. Anthony Ruiz