UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones
March 19, 2011
Prudential Center
Newark, New Jersey
Main Bouts (PPV):
Mauricio Rua (19-4) vs. Jon Jones (12-1) "Bones" gets the opportunity of a lifetime but he has a taller task ahead of him than people think. Anyone else notice Jones spindly legs? "Shogun" loves to leg kick and as "Fight Science" on ESPN showed us, he has the most power ever measured from a leg kick. Hmmm. Rua also has power in the hands and floor game to confuse anyone. Jon is a mere 23 years old with exciting striking and the largest reach advantage in the UFC. Rua has dealt with reach disadvantage against the likes of Alistair Overeem and the Nogueira's and beaten a who's who of the MMA elite while the best Jon has met in action is the overrated Ryan Bader. That is a vast gap in competition and for a number of years. Yes, Jones has that "it" factor and "Bonesmania" is in full tilt, but i still see him being to green for a healthy veteran "Shogun."
WINNER-"Shogun" Rua by Rd.3 TKO
Urijah Faber (24-4) vs. Eddie Wineland (18-6-1) Like I'm not going to pick the "California Kid" in his official UFC debut. C'mon. Ed is no joke and has a vicious streak a mile long. Faber will have the power advantage and is just far too creative and developed in MMA for most fighters. It will be a war, but Faber finds a way in the end.
WINNER-Urijah Faber by Decision
Jim Miller (19-2) vs. Kamal Shalorus (7-0-2) How cute. The Miller brothers get to fight back to back on the same card. Awwwwwww. Kamal is undefeated with a head the size of a Macy's Day float, while Miller keeps getting overlooked in the Lightweight title scene. This won't be easy but for Jim nothing is. He is always given the toughest competition and rewarded with little. Keep winning Jim, that title shot will come.
WINNER-Jim Miller by Decision
Nate Marquardt (30-10-2) vs. Dan Miller (13-4) "Sexyama" pulled out due to some Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan (what? hadn't heard anything?) and Dan Miller still has not learned how to turn down a fight. Nate is just better everywhere and Dan cannot strike anywhere near Marquardt's ability.
WINNER-Nate Marquardt by Rd.3 TKO
Brendan Schaub (7-1) vs. Mirko Filipovic (27-8-2) I know this match was made for the UFC to put Schaub into the Heavyweight mix in a passing of the torch kinda thing. He is younger faster stronger but I don't give a damn. The guy is a prick. "Cro Cop" is a legend and I will never pick against "Cro Cop" until he has retired. My rule suck it. Let's go "Mirko."
WINNER-Mirko "Cro Cop" by Rd.1 KO
Prelims (On Spike TV):
Luiz Cane (10-3) vs. Eliot Marshall (10-2) Great. The "Fire" Marshall is back in the UFC and ready to just bore the living shit out of us. If "Banha" doesn't win this bout he will find himself on the minor circuit much like Eliot did only a few months ago. If Marshall can keep this fight floored he has a chance to put everyone to sleep in the crowd, though his opponent will be safe. Luiz has to have this win and is the far better striker. He must use his game and avoid the ground at all costs.
Anthony Njokuani (13-4) vs. Edson Barboza Jr. (7-0) Expect a kickboxing war people! Both men have exciting blistering stand up skills Mendes has naughty leg kicks, more speed, and power while Njokuani has skinny legs. =?
Prelims (On Spike TV):
Luiz Cane (10-3) vs. Eliot Marshall (10-2) Great. The "Fire" Marshall is back in the UFC and ready to just bore the living shit out of us. If "Banha" doesn't win this bout he will find himself on the minor circuit much like Eliot did only a few months ago. If Marshall can keep this fight floored he has a chance to put everyone to sleep in the crowd, though his opponent will be safe. Luiz has to have this win and is the far better striker. He must use his game and avoid the ground at all costs.
WINNER-Luiz Cane by Rd.2 TKO
Anthony Njokuani (13-4) vs. Edson Barboza Jr. (7-0) Expect a kickboxing war people! Both men have exciting blistering stand up skills Mendes has naughty leg kicks, more speed, and power while Njokuani has skinny legs. =?
WINNER-Edson Barboza Jr. by Rd.2 TKO
Prelims (On Facebook):
Ricardo Almeida (13-4) vs. Mike Pyle (20-7-1) I like "Big Dog" to overpower "Quicksand" though he can hang with the Renzo Gracie protege in Jiu-Jitsu. The Matt Hughes fight was a stumbling block but should only serve to make Ric better. Almeida goes back to basics avoiding the stand up game and engaging in a strategy battle on the floor gaining enough to win on points by Pyle will be game. Ricardo also is performing in front of the home crowd.
Kurt Pellegrino (16-5) vs. Gleison Tibau (21-7) This is a very intriguing fight between 2 very sturdy Lightweight veterans. "Batman" has done it all except the title and Tibau is coming on strong in his bid to run for the title. Tibau has really been improving his game while I almost believe Kurt has lost a step after a grinding career. Take ATT to takedown Pelligrino over and over (though he won't be held there) and eventually win a judges nod. Size and strength will go to Tibau but his large size tends to tap his cardio so beware.
Prelims (On Facebook):
Ricardo Almeida (13-4) vs. Mike Pyle (20-7-1) I like "Big Dog" to overpower "Quicksand" though he can hang with the Renzo Gracie protege in Jiu-Jitsu. The Matt Hughes fight was a stumbling block but should only serve to make Ric better. Almeida goes back to basics avoiding the stand up game and engaging in a strategy battle on the floor gaining enough to win on points by Pyle will be game. Ricardo also is performing in front of the home crowd.
WINNER-Ricardo Almeida by Decision
Kurt Pellegrino (16-5) vs. Gleison Tibau (21-7) This is a very intriguing fight between 2 very sturdy Lightweight veterans. "Batman" has done it all except the title and Tibau is coming on strong in his bid to run for the title. Tibau has really been improving his game while I almost believe Kurt has lost a step after a grinding career. Take ATT to takedown Pelligrino over and over (though he won't be held there) and eventually win a judges nod. Size and strength will go to Tibau but his large size tends to tap his cardio so beware.
WINNER-Gleison Tibau by Decision
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Joseph Benavidez (13-2) vs. Ian Loveland (14-7) "Lil' Angry" as I like to refer to Joey, brings his crazy Team Alpha Male wrestling as per usual without the impressive stand up. 7 wins in a row for the Team Quest member who will be dry humped for a humiliating 3 rounds.
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Joseph Benavidez (13-2) vs. Ian Loveland (14-7) "Lil' Angry" as I like to refer to Joey, brings his crazy Team Alpha Male wrestling as per usual without the impressive stand up. 7 wins in a row for the Team Quest member who will be dry humped for a humiliating 3 rounds.
WINNER-Joseph Benavidez by Decision
Erik Koch (11-1) vs. Raphael Assuncao (16-3) The "Ascension" fighter will bring the boring game while Koch will be looking for something eye opening an exciting befitting a member of the rabble rousing Roufusport athletes. Will we be bored watching the Ass ply his trade, or will more highlights emerge from the Roufusport camp?
Erik Koch (11-1) vs. Raphael Assuncao (16-3) The "Ascension" fighter will bring the boring game while Koch will be looking for something eye opening an exciting befitting a member of the rabble rousing Roufusport athletes. Will we be bored watching the Ass ply his trade, or will more highlights emerge from the Roufusport camp?
WINNER-Eric Koch by TKO
Nick Catone (8-2) vs. Costantinos Philippou (7-1) This is a Catchweight bout @ 194 lbs. Philipooo, ahem, takes this fight on very short notice while the "Jersey Devil" had a full camp.
Nick Catone (8-2) vs. Costantinos Philippou (7-1) This is a Catchweight bout @ 194 lbs. Philipooo, ahem, takes this fight on very short notice while the "Jersey Devil" had a full camp.
WINNER-Nick Catone by Decision
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