UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill from Las Vegas, Nevada
Unfortunately, due to injuries to both Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar, Jackson vs. Hamill is the Main Event of UFC 130. Most think it should be an easy win for the crafty veteran Jackson but keep in mind, this is a three round fight, one in which a couple of well timed takedowns could be the difference between winning and losing. Check out the latest UFC fight lines in our betting sportsbooks…
UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill
Date/Time: May 28, 2011, 9PM ET/6PM PT
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Betting: Bet on UFC 130 at BetOnline.com
Main Card
Light Heavyweight (205lbs)
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (31-8-0): -260
Matt Hamill (11-2-0): +200
There is no doubt about what Rampage is going to try to do in this fight – remain patient, pick his spots and try to bang his way to victory. Hamill will try to get this fight down to the mat as soon and as often as possible. Hamill is as confident as ever – a win against another MMA legend Tito Ortiz has Hamill shows that he is no slouch.
Expect the experience, the takedown defense and the counter punching ability of the veteran to prevail in this one although the fight should be closer that most think. Pick: Quinton Jackson -260
Heavyweight (265lbs)
Frank Mir (14-5-0): -145
Roy Nelson (16-5-0): +115
A battle of very well rounded big men is next on the card when Frank Mir takes on the barf-inducing physique of Roy Nelson. Both men are jiu jitsu Black Belts and both can do some damage in the stand up game.
Frank Mir has really improved his striking in the last few years but is still an unflattering 3-2 in his last five fights overall. He is a handful on his feet and is very dangerous on the ground. Roy Nelson is surprisingly athletic for a fat man – he is a master of using his size, particularly in the clinch to wear his opponents down.
Mir certainly has the pedigree and the experience on the big stage to get it done against Nelson but the will and the underrated talents of Nelson should continue to surprise. Mir appears to be on the downside of a career that never lived up to expectation and will have a difficult time with the size, the will and the surprising skill of the bigger man. Pick: Roy Nelson +115
Heavyweight (265lbs)
Travis Browne (10-0-1): -130
Stefan Struve (24-4-0): even
In a battle of enormous dudes, Stephan Struve will try to maintain what has been a good stretch when he takes on Travis Browne who stands 6’7” tall – four inches shorter than Struve! Struve is a very well rounded fighter who can compete anywhere the fight happens to go but it will likely be Browne’s ability in the clinch that makes a difference in this fight. This battle will likely be ugly and the uglier it is the more it favors Browne. Pick: Travis Browne -130
Welterweight (170lbs)
Thiago Alves (23-6-0): -200
Rick Story (12-3-0): +160
One of the most explosive and exciting strikers in the Welterweight division Thiago Alves is back in action, this time against former college wrestling standout and UFC up-and-comer Rick Story. Alves will definitely have a size advantage in this fight as well as a decisive edge in the stand up. But I like Story’s durability, his pace and his clinch work to wear the Pit-bull down. Jon Fitch showed the way to beat Alves and Story’s style lends itself well to that task. Pick: Rick Story +160
Middleweight (185lbs)
Jorge Santiago (23-8-0): even
Brian Stann (10-3-0): -130
Uber-experienced kick boxer Jorge Santiago returns to the UFC to take on a fighter that is on quite a role, Brian Stann. Santiago has fought and fared well against some of the top Middleweights on the planet in his career while Stann’s career is just getting started. Hopes are that legendary trainer Greg Jackson has a solid fight plan for Stann because Santiago is absolutely no joke. Look for Santiago to make a big statement in this fight and to knock Stann down a few MMA notches. Pick: Jorge Santiago – even
Spike TV Card
Bantamweight (135lbs)
Miguel Torres (38-3-0): -115
Demetrious Johnson (13-1-0): -115
This has a chance to be Fight of the Night. Experienced and former WEC Bantamweight Champ Miguel Torres takes on up-and-comer Demetrious Johnson. Torres is the more dangerous fighter for sure – he has tremendous submissions and striking and he will have a six inch height advantage. Johnson is tough but not up to the class of Torres. Pick: Miguel Torres -115
Middleweight (185lbs)
Kendall Grove (14-8-0): -160
Tim Boetsch (12-4-0): +130
Another interesting matchup graces the Spike TV card. The Spider Kendall Grove takes on the rugged Tim Boetsch in Middleweight action. It will be Boetsch’s first fight at Middleweight after moving down a weight class. Grove will have a distinct strength disadvantage in this fight and I think that he will be bullied in this fight. Boetsch’s style does not suit Grove at all. Pick: Tim Boetsch +130
Preliminary Card
Lightweight (155lbs)
Gleison Tibau (32-7-0): -350
Rafaello Oliviera (14-3-0): +250
Gleison Tibau is an absolute beast – scary wrestling and a relentless grinding style. Add in the incredible striking prowess and Tibau is a handful for any Lightweight. Oliviera is a good Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt but he took this fight on short notice and is in very tough in this one. Pick: Gleison Tibau -350
Bantamweight (135lbs)
Michael McDonald (12-1-0): -350
Chris Cariaso (11-2-0): +250
One thing that we know for sure – this fight is going to bring fireworks. Two legitimate Bantamweight prospects put it all on the line a fight that will bring the speed. Cariaso is the better wrestler but Michael McDonald is the better striker. I like the ferocious style and the height advantage of MacDonald to be the difference in this fight. Pick: Michael McDonald -350
Featherweight (145lbs)
Renan Barao (27-1-0, 1NC): -350
Cole Escovedo (17-6-0): +250
Renan Barao could be a serious threat in the Featherweight Division. He has 28 fights under his belt and he has lost once! He is already extremely well rounded and training with Jose Aldo has only made him better. Cole Escovedo is a tough kid who’s taken on some of the best but is out of his league. Pick: Renan Barao -350
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