Bassett vs. Henschel: Internet Icons, Real World Stakes at RAF 05

Two of the internet’s favorite stars square off at RAF05 as Virginia Tech’s Bo Bassett takes on Cayden Henschel in a featherweight matchup.

Henschel’s college career is over and Clash of Combat is quietly in the rearview. Bassett’s must-see journey to his collegiate home is over, yet both men continue to grow their digital footprint. The two may currently be on different paths but both are as big as they’ve ever been.

Bassett and Henschel shared the RAF03 card in November where Henschel defeated Clay Guida by way of 11-0 tech fall and Bassett would pin Darrion Caldwell by first round pinfall. While Henschel may not have the same trophy case of Bassett’s last opponent, he’s in his physical prime, prioritizing weight training more than before with nothing to lose and no reason to wrestle conservatively.

Bassett is sure to overwhelm anybody he should stack up against he’s taking on a Cayden Henschel with a lot more ammunition than there may have ever been. Henschel has never  followed strict, traditional skillsets and gameplans. A match with Bassett will highlight Henschel’s ability to disrupt rhythm to give himself openings. Henschel isn’t flashy for attention, he’s creative by necessity. Add in the budding “grown man strength” and this may be a tougher test for Bassett than Caldwell.

Henschel has reason to take the mat with confidence but still the understanding that on the right night it would take a small crew of wrestlers to defeat wrestling’s biggest prospect of all time.

Bo Bassett is relatively new to the freestyle competition game but has already slayed Darrion Caldwell, Beau Bartlett, Anthony Ashnault and more. The 19-year-old has taken out more National Champions and National finalists before his first NCAA match than most wrestlers defeat in a lifetime.

Bassett has mastered an offense built on pace, reattacks and constant forward motion. When those components are clicking, matches end quickly.

… And they’re clicking often.

He’s one of the most dangerous wrestlers of all time already. Likely a future National Champion, RAF champion and potential Olympic champion. Henschel knows he doesn’t match Bassett stride for stride but he brings tools Bassett doesn’t always have to deal with positional patience, a willingness to wrestle in uncomfortable places and an understanding that he must capitalize on any opening.

Any featherweight in the world would need the greatest match of their life to defeat 19-year-old Bo Bassett but nobody is happier to put on a smile and say, “why not me?” than Cayden Henschel.

Will Bo Bassett continue his destruction of NCAA Wrestlers of yesterday and today or will Cayden Henschel send a shockwave throughout the entire sport? Find out Saturday, January 10 ONLY on Fox Nation!