Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (c) vs Quinton Jackson
Such a tough call. Jones is the guy who can lay on the strikes and if the fight gets past the second round, I think Quinton has little chance of winning. The only X-factor here is his training at the Muscle Pharm training center. Rampage is notorious for hating training camps. This time he lived at Muscle Pharm – yes slept at the gym. That has to count for something big. Jones is dynamic and fluid and inventive. I knew he would be good when I saw him on a highlight of some no name show in New Jersey. His range is going to be a problem for Quinton. Its hard for him to drop his power while punching upwards.
The obvious play here is Jones. I think he is going to win. However, at -500 and Quinton at +350 I see value in his one punch KO ability. Not only that he has the chance of a GnP win if he catches him mildly.
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs Josh Koscheck
Josh Koshcheck is going to be faster and put out more output. Koshcheck is -500 though. Hughes is a good value play here imo.
Heavyweight bout: Travis Browne vs Rob Broughton
My prediction is Travis Browne continues to look good and wins this one.
Lightweight bout: Nate Diaz vs Takanori Gomi
The reach is going to be a problem with Diaz. Diaz is also going to be more aggressive. If this goes to a decision likely it goes to Diaz. The odds have Diaz favored and I think that’s fair. Would love to see Gomi recapture his former glory, but against Diaz I don’t see it happening as his range will keep that overhand out of his way.
Heavyweight bout: Ben Rothwell vs Mark Hunt
Ugh again Rothwell has disappointed me in his last two outings and he is going against Hunt here. The two of these heavyweights will stand the entire time. That favors Mark Hunt. Hunt can take the best hits out there and not go out. Rothwell is going to have to submit him to stop him, which isn’t difficult.
Hunt on the other hand carries one touch power in his hands, not likely ever seen by Rothwell. Hunt is K-1 experienced. Again underdog value here with Hunt at +240.
Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
Lightweight bout: Tony Ferguson vs Aaron Riley
Tony is favored -300 here, but I think again the underdog in this one has excellent value. Riley is a zombie and is hard to stop. Ferguson is a great striker and Riley has had problems with them before. In fact that is who have beaten him if you look at his record. If this fight turns into a grind that will play into Riley’s hands. I like Riley in the underdog position here.
Middleweight bout: Nick Ring vs Tim Boetsch
Thinking Boetsch.
Preliminary Card (Facebook)
Featherweight bout: Junior Assunção vs Eddie Yagin
Assuncao’s back in the cage again? I thought he just fought and won like 2 UFC’s ago. I got Assuncao.
Bantamweight bout: Takeya Mizugaki vs Cole Escovedo
I like Cole Escovedo here. Value play.
Light Heavyweight bout: James Te Huna vs Ricardo Romero
Ricardo Romero – hopefully his conditioning is better. I got him.