UFC 135 Preview & Picks
Jonny “Bones” Jones defends his UFC light heavyweight title for the first time this Saturday at UFC 135. In Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, he faces the toughest, meanest, most experienced opponent of his career.
READY TO BET on UFC 135 Odds at BODOG?? GRAB YOUR 10% SIGNUP BONUS TODAY!
Here are my picks for the 205-pound championship bout and a few other intriguing matchups at UFC 135.
Promotion – Ultimate Fighting Championship
Event – UFC 135: Jones vs Jackson
Date – September 24, 2011
Time – 9pm ET/6pm PT
Venue – Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
Broadcast – Pay-per-view
Bet on UFC 135
UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: Jon Jones (13-1) vs Quinton Jackson (32-8)
UFC 135 odds: Jones -500, Jackson +400
Will Rampage teach the young pup a lesson or is he set to become the latest in Jones’ growing list of victims?
Rampage Jackson a +400 underdog? You’d swear this was an Anderson Silva fight based on those odds. Rampage doesn’t get any respect.
It’s a little surprising not to see him around +300 instead. Jackson is 10-2 over his last 12 fights and 7-2 in the UFC. He’s the former light heavyweight champion. He’s beaten Wanderlei Silva, Lyoto Machida, Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson since joining MMA’s biggest promotion. So why is see such a huge dog? 
The main reason is that Jones has been so untouchable. We all know his real record is 14-0. His “loss” came because he landed an illegal elbow while beating Matt Hamill to a bloody pulp and was disqualified. The truth is that Jones hasn’t received a scratch on him in 14 pro fights. Has anyone even touched his face?
At 84.5 inches, Jones’ reach is the longest in UFC history. No one can get a hand on him yet he can reach his opponents from seemingly impossible distances with jabs, spinning elbows, and a bevy of other creative, athletic moves.
The reach problem is one reason why Rampage is a big underdog. The other is the speed factor. Rampage hits as hard as anyone in the division, he’s strong as an ox, but he’s not the fleetest of foot. His two defeats in the Octagon came against Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin, each of whom was faster than him and outpointed him with strikes and takedowns. Jones’ speed advantage makes him a difficult matchup for Rampage.
Also, as strong as Rampage is, no one has come close to matching Jon Jones’ strength so far. His wiry frame is deceiving; he’s absolutely manhandled everyone he’s fought, including superb NCAA Division-I wrestler Ryan Bader. Jones has the ground edge over Rampage, too.
Rampage has a puncher’s chance, as he’s tough enough to weather the storm and strike back with his trademark powerful counterpunches. However, aside from the fact that we don’t know how he might respond to getting hit, Jones is superior in every other facet of the game. Rampage has a ton of heart and will be tougher to finish than anyone Jones has faced so far. But the champ will get the job done. Pick: Jones -500
Welterweight: Matt Hughes (45-8) vs Josh Koscheck (15-5)
UFC 135 odds: Koscheck -450, Hughes +300
How many fights does the legendary Matt Hughes have left in him? Saturday will mark his first bout since BJ Penn knocked him out in 21 seconds last November.
His original opponent, Diego Sanchez, pulled out with a hand injury, so Josh Koscheck steps in as a replacement opponent. It’s very bad news for Hughes, who had a grappling edge over Sanchez and didn’t have to worry about serious punching power.
Hughes, a dominant wrestler, won’t have an advantage against the former elite collegiate wrestler Koscheck. Hughes has also struggled against hard hitters, suffering three horrific knockout losses over the last few years, and Koscheck has the crushing one-punch knockout power to make Hughes shake in his boots.
Five years ago, Hughes would have the edge, but his chin is gone now. Look for Koscheck to win via knockout. Pick: Koscheck -450
OTHER UFC 135 FIGHTS TO CONSIDER
Travis Browne (11-0) vs Rob Broughton (15-5-1)
UFC 135 odds: Browne -350, Broughton +265
Don’t let Browne’s sloppy physique fool you. He’s emerging as a beast in the heavyweight division and has real finishing power in his fists. Look for Broughton to become his latest conquest. [ad-3573245]
Free pick: Browne -350
Nate Diaz (13-7) vs Takanori Gomi (32-7)
UFC 135 odds: Diaz -250, Gomi +190
Could the loser of this lightweight battle wind up cut from the UFC? Diaz versus Gomi may come down to who wants it more, and my money is on Diaz. Nate Diaz has struggled of late but he’s faced two straight big, athletic opponents (and at 170 pounds). Against Gomi, a lightweight who doesn’t grapple as much, Diaz should fare better. Gomi has been tapped out twice in three UFC bouts and the Jiu-Jitsu specialist Diaz may become the third guy to do so.
Free pick: Diaz -250
UFC 135: OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (c) vs. Quinton Jackson
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck
Heavyweight bout: Travis Browne vs. Rob Broughton
Lightweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi
Heavyweight bout: Ben Rothwell vs. Mark Hunt
Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
Lightweight bout: Tony Ferguson vs. Aaron Riley
Middleweight bout: Nick Ring vs. Tim Boetsch
Preliminary Card (Facebook)
Featherweight bout: Junior Assunção vs. Eddie Yagin
Bantamweight bout: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Cole Escovedo
Light Heavyweight bout: James Te Huna vs. Ricardo Romero
