UFC 128: Rua vs. Jones from Newark New Jersey
The UFC presents their March card from New Jersey on Saturday night. The Main Event of the evening features the most hyped up and comer in the UFC against a fighter who is building a legendary MMA resume. Rua vs. Jones. Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…
UFC 128 – Rua vs. Jones
Date: Saturday, March 19, 2011
Venue: The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Broadcast: Live on PPV at 10:00 p.m. E.T.
Betting: Bet on UFC 128 at Sportsbook.com
Main Card
Shogun Rua (19-4): +160
Jon Jones (12-1): -200
Jon Jones looks to take advantage of an injury to his training partner Rashad Evans and bring home Gold in only his 14th MMA fight.
Jones has been unstoppable since he stepped into a UFC Octagon – he has been absolutely masterful and hasn’t even been challenged. Rua has also looked good but it has been nearly a year since we last saw him. A knee injury sidelined him. The last time Shogun was injured he came out flat and lost to Forrest Griffin in what was a completely lackluster performance.
The champ is a 2 to 1 underdog for a reason! Pick: Jon Jones -200
Urijah Faber (24-4): -450
Eddie Wineland (18-6-1): +325
WEC Poster Boy makes his first UFC appearance on Saturday night against a former WEC Bantamweight Champ – Eddie Wineland. This fight should be fireworks. Both have conditioning and stand up games that are the envy of many MMA practitioners.
Wineland is a fairly well rounded rugged fighter with one glaring hole in his game – an average ground game. Faber’s athleticism will be enough to wear Wineland down and Faber’s impressive submission game will spell ultimate doom for the underdog. I’d love to recommend the dog and a huge pay day but I just can’t. Pick: Urijah Faber -450
Jim Miller (19-2): -260
Kamal Shalorus (7-0-2): +200
In an important Lightweight clash, Jim Miller hopes to put his name in the Title picture with a win against a fighter making his UFC debut. Shalorus is a 38 year old striker who only has nine MMA fights to his credit.
Experience and all around game will be the difference in this one! Pick: Jim Miller -260
Dan Miller (13-4-0, 1 NC): +200
Nate Marquardt (30-10-2): -280
Jim’s brother Dan steps in for Yoshihiro Akiyama who has withdrawn to concentrate on the devastation in his home land. Miller was originally scheduled to fight on the Undercard of the event so he should be in good shape. Nate Marquart will look to shake his choker status and a well rounded, rugged Miller is just what he needs. Marquart will be tested but shouldn’t be in any danger! Pick: Nate Marquart -280
Mirko Cro Cop (27-8-2-1): +210
Brendan Schaub (8-1): -280
I’m trying to pick an Underdog here – I really am but these fights are as clear cut as they can be. Cro Cop appears to be done as a fighter and is just fulfilling his contract before retiring. Brendan Schaub is a former pro football player whose ability to improve and learn has been remarkable. This may be the last we see of Mirko Cro Cop! Pick: Brendan Schaub -280
Preliminary Card
Luiz Cane (10-3-1): -210
Elliot Marshall (8-1): +165
In a “loser gets cut” match, Ultra-aggressive Luiz Cane attempts to take down Elliot Marshall who is an injury replacement for Karlos Vemola. Neither of these fighters is all that impressive but I am going to pick my first upset here. Cane has lost two straight and Marshall has won three straight (albeit in lesser organizations). Pick: Elliot Marshall +165
Edson Barboza (7-0): -260
Anthony Njokuani (13-4-1): +200
This has all the making of a Fight of the Night. Both men love to stand and bang and both have seemingless endless gas tanks. Barboza will use his lethal leg kicks to his advantage and my guess is that the Muay Thai specialist Njokuani doesn’t have an answer. Barboza is another Jose Aldo – lethal kicks set up the rest of his incredibly aggressive game. Pick: Edson Barboza -260
Ricardo Almeida (13-4): -160
Mike Pyle (20-7-1): +130
In what is sure to be a grappling contest, highly touted Ricardo Almeida takes on veteran Mike Pyle. Almeida has been impressive as of late but not as impressive as Pyle who stopped the up-and-coming John Hathaway in his last fight. Momentum is a real thing! Pick: Mike Pyle +130
Kurt Pellegrino (15-5): +135
Gleison Tibau (21-7):-165
In what is a very close fight, on paper, Kurt Pellegrino returns to the Octagon after a knee injury to take on the physically imposing Gleison Tibau. I usually don’t pick fighters coming back off knee injuries but in this case, I have faith that Pellegrino will be able to fall back on his good wrestling base and gets this fight to where he is most comfortable. Pick: Kurt Pellegrino +135
Joseph Benavidez (13-2): -350
Ian Loveland (13-7): +250
How the hell is this fight mired on the Undercard? This should be an explosive, fast-paced war – it’s too bad that we won’t get to see it! Both fighters have incredible speed and excellent conditioning but the X-factor will be the ground game. Loveland has lost six times by submission and is could very well be seven after Saturday night. Pick: Joseph Benavidez -350
Eric Koch (11-1-0): -170
Raphael Assuncao (15-3): +140
In a Featherweight battle, Eric Koch brings his fierce game to the Octagon against Brazilian well rounded fighter Raphael Assuncao. Koch is as rugged as they come and he has the technical striking knowhow to exploit Assuncao’s only hole – his wrestling. Pick: Eric Koch -170
Costantinos Philppou (7-1-0): +190
Nick Catone (8-2): -240
Costantinos Philppou steps in on short notice to take on Nick Catone who was supposed to fight Dan Miller. Will he be in shape? Will he be ready for Catone’s well rounded game? My guess is that his coach Matt Serra will have him ready and that Nick Catone’s up and down career will hit a down. Pick: Costantinos Philppou +190
