When there is a fight as big as UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, many forget that there are other fights on the card.
There are a multitude of intriguing matchups at UFC 135, with the most interesting of all being on the main card.
Nate Diaz versus Takanori Gomi
The pay-per-view broadcast starts with a lightweight bout between Nate Diaz, from Stockton, California, and Japan’s Takanori Gomi, the first and only Pride lightweight champion.
Both fighters are skilled in the striking department, but in different ways. Gomi has superior power, but Diaz has better combinations and throws far more punches.
In terms of grappling, Gomi has more credentials on paper, but his abilities have been proven to be extraordinarily overrated. He was once touted as one of the greatest lightweights of all-time, but his skills were no match for those of Kenny Florian and Clay Guida.
Diaz’s grappling isn’t the greatest either, but it’s still quite good. He shouldn’t have a problem submitting Gomi.
The prediction: Diaz via submission late in the first round.
Travis Browne versus Rob Broughton
This is one of the more intriguing matchups on the fight card because the two competitors are very evenly-matched competitors.
The fight seems like a classic striker-versus-grappler match. Browne has a primarily striking-based attack, and Broughton’s base is in wrestling (a Brit with a wrestling base!? Amazing!).
So how will the fight play out?
Broughton will almost definitely try to clinch Browne, and Browne will look to stay on the outside to exploit his height and reach advantage, which are both considerable. Broughton may keep it competitive in the beginning, but he may well struggle to get it to the ground against the powerful Browne.
Thus, look for Browne to earn a TKO victory after many failed takedown attempts from the Brit.
Ben Rothwell versus Mark Hunt
Ben Rothwell and Mark Hunt are two of the most overrated heavyweights of all-time.
Many thought Rothwell was a future heavyweight champ, but his record was full of wins over subpar fighters. When he fought good fighters, he folded.
Hunt was also talked up a lot after wins over Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Wanderlei Silva (both in their primes) but was ultimately a letdown. He has the distinction of being the only below .500 fighter currently signed with the UFC, with a record of 6-7.
So who wins the battle of the stars that weren’t?
Rothwell was overrated, but he can at least strike and grapple, whereas Hunt’s grappling has always been deficient. Rothwell will initially try to trade with Hunt, get the worst of it, and then move to take the New Zealander down.
Rothwell will keep up the grinding attack for the remainder of the fight. He will win via decision or submission.
Matt Hughes versus Josh Koscheck
Former UFC welterweight champion Hughes is one of the all-time greats, but his time has long since passed.
Koscheck is younger, faster, stronger and better; Koscheck is basically Hughes, but better at everything Hughes is good at.
This fight won’t make it past the first round. Hughes will fail to take Koscheck down and proceed to get laid out by a right hand.
Jon “Bones” Jones versus Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
How will the main event go down? Likely with a whimper rather than a bang.
Rampage Jackson had trouble dealing with the reach of Forrest Griffin and the wrestling of Rashad Evans. How will he deal with a fighter like Jones, who has a bigger reach and better wrestling technique?
In addition, Jackson rarely diversifies his attack and prefers to just headhunt. If he does this against Jones, he’ll be taken down and beaten up.
The fight likely won’t be very competitive. Jones will pepper Jackson with jabs and unorthodox strikes from the outside to set-up an eventual takedown, and he’ll finish the fight any way he wants from there, although it may take him a few rounds to finally do it.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com