UFC 130 with a new main event of Rampage Jackson vs Matt Hamill is taking place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. General opinion seems to be people are somewhat turned off of this card but really I think this does have some pretty solid bouts with ranking positions and title contending on the line on pretty much all the main card fights.
Main Event
Rampage Jackson vs Matt Hamill
Rampage returns to the octagon participating in his 4th straight non-title main event, the last one a close split decision victory over Lyoto Machida. Hamill looks to win his 5th in a row (counting the Jones DQ) after most recently beating Tito Ortiz by decision. Rampage's motivation has been questioned recently coming into this fight but honestly one thing we can say that motivates him is the spotlight and money and winning this fight would give him both. Certain scenarios would have to happen but a win could also give him a title shot. With that motivation behind him I see Rampage looking to keep this fight standing away from Hamill's wrestling strength and out strike "The Hammer". Hamill however as I previously mentioned will want to get this down to the ground and outwork Rampage.
My Prediction Jackson by TKO 2nd Round- I see this fight going by a TKO win for Rampage or going to a decision where it could be any ones fight, my initial thought is Rampage will be able to get the best of Hamill and finish it within the fights time limit.
Main Card Bouts
Frank Mir vs Roy Nelson
Mir looking towards another title shot is coming off his less than stellar performance against Mirko Cro Cop where he won by KO 4:02 in the 3rd Round. Nelson The Ultimate Fighter season 10 winner has title aspirations of his own but is coming off a lose to Junior Dos Santos. This is not the first time these 2 have met in competition as they competing against each other in 2003 at a Grappler's Quest event where Nelson won on points. A MMA win is imparitive to stay relevant for both involved as the acquisition of Strikeforce could change the Heavyweight landscape for the next couple of years. I see this fight being evenly matched in just about every aspect of the game. With both being out since last summer however, what to expect from both is hard to predict.
My Prediction Nelson by Decision- I've gone back and forth with this one since it was announced but with the pressure on with the event happening around the corner I'm going to say Nelson should be able to grind out a decision against Mir.
Mir looking towards another title shot is coming off his less than stellar performance against Mirko Cro Cop where he won by KO 4:02 in the 3rd Round. Nelson The Ultimate Fighter season 10 winner has title aspirations of his own but is coming off a lose to Junior Dos Santos. This is not the first time these 2 have met in competition as they competing against each other in 2003 at a Grappler's Quest event where Nelson won on points. A MMA win is imparitive to stay relevant for both involved as the acquisition of Strikeforce could change the Heavyweight landscape for the next couple of years. I see this fight being evenly matched in just about every aspect of the game. With both being out since last summer however, what to expect from both is hard to predict.
My Prediction Nelson by Decision- I've gone back and forth with this one since it was announced but with the pressure on with the event happening around the corner I'm going to say Nelson should be able to grind out a decision against Mir.
Miguel Torres vs Demetrious Johnson
Torres is making his 2nd UFC appearance after beating Antonio Banuellos by decision. Johnson is also making his 2nd UFC appearance after beating Japanese star Norifumi Yamamoto. Originally slated against different opponents by an injury to Brad Pickett lead way to some reshuffling and seeing these 2 top 10 bantamweights facing each other. The winner of this fight is definately going to make a statement to the rest of the bantamweight division and could very well find them selves in a title shot against the winner of the Dominick Cruz vs Urijah Faber fight. The 2 biggest things to look at in this fight is 1) can Torres overcome Johnson's relentless takedown attack and 2) can Johnson overcome Torres enormous 10 inch reach and 6 inch height advantage.
My Prediction Torres by Decision- I think Johnson is going to find himself in trouble with that reach advantage even if he does take Torres down, Torres has excellent submissions from just about anywhere.
Torres is making his 2nd UFC appearance after beating Antonio Banuellos by decision. Johnson is also making his 2nd UFC appearance after beating Japanese star Norifumi Yamamoto. Originally slated against different opponents by an injury to Brad Pickett lead way to some reshuffling and seeing these 2 top 10 bantamweights facing each other. The winner of this fight is definately going to make a statement to the rest of the bantamweight division and could very well find them selves in a title shot against the winner of the Dominick Cruz vs Urijah Faber fight. The 2 biggest things to look at in this fight is 1) can Torres overcome Johnson's relentless takedown attack and 2) can Johnson overcome Torres enormous 10 inch reach and 6 inch height advantage.
My Prediction Torres by Decision- I think Johnson is going to find himself in trouble with that reach advantage even if he does take Torres down, Torres has excellent submissions from just about anywhere.
Thiago Alves vs Rick Story
Alves returns after beating John Howard by decision and is looking to get back into the Welterweight title picture. Story finds him self on a bit of a roll winning 5 straight most recently a decision win over Johny Hendricks. Story called out Alves after the mentioned fight with Hendricks and now they find them selves facing off on the main card of the PPV after the main event injuries. Alves is going to look to use his vicious muay thai to take down Story at the legs, Story could be convinced to have a standup war but should try and get this fight to ground.
Alves returns after beating John Howard by decision and is looking to get back into the Welterweight title picture. Story finds him self on a bit of a roll winning 5 straight most recently a decision win over Johny Hendricks. Story called out Alves after the mentioned fight with Hendricks and now they find them selves facing off on the main card of the PPV after the main event injuries. Alves is going to look to use his vicious muay thai to take down Story at the legs, Story could be convinced to have a standup war but should try and get this fight to ground.
My Prediction Alves by TKO 2nd Round- Alves should be able to use the mentioned game plan by chopping down Story for the TKO win.
Brian Stann vs Jorge Santiago
"The All American" Stann is looking to build off the momentum he got after knocking out Chris Leben in his last bout. Santiago the former Sengoku Middleweight champion is making his return to the UFC after being a highlight reel KO by the foot of Alan Belcher. Since that bout in 2006 Santiago has been an impressive 11-1. Santiago has already stated he doesn't want to stand with Stann which is a good thought as Stann has the power to KO just about anyone in the Middleweight division. The question is though can Santiago be successful on the ground if he even can get it there?
My Prediction Stann by TKO 2nd Round- I'm thinking Stann will in fact be able to keep this standing and ultimately his strength and be able to KO Santiago early in the 2nd.
"The All American" Stann is looking to build off the momentum he got after knocking out Chris Leben in his last bout. Santiago the former Sengoku Middleweight champion is making his return to the UFC after being a highlight reel KO by the foot of Alan Belcher. Since that bout in 2006 Santiago has been an impressive 11-1. Santiago has already stated he doesn't want to stand with Stann which is a good thought as Stann has the power to KO just about anyone in the Middleweight division. The question is though can Santiago be successful on the ground if he even can get it there?
My Prediction Stann by TKO 2nd Round- I'm thinking Stann will in fact be able to keep this standing and ultimately his strength and be able to KO Santiago early in the 2nd.
Stefan Struve vs Travis Browne
Struve steps back into action having won his last 2 by TKO the last against Sean McCorkle. Browne is looking to improve upon his last performance which was a draw against Cheik Kongo. I expect to see a stand up battle with these 2 and Struve finds him self with not as large of a reach advantage he's used to.
My Prediction Struve by TKO 1st Round- UFC probably has high expectations with Struve and a win here could pit him against some higher ranked Heavyweights in the future.
Preliminary Bouts
Struve steps back into action having won his last 2 by TKO the last against Sean McCorkle. Browne is looking to improve upon his last performance which was a draw against Cheik Kongo. I expect to see a stand up battle with these 2 and Struve finds him self with not as large of a reach advantage he's used to.
My Prediction Struve by TKO 1st Round- UFC probably has high expectations with Struve and a win here could pit him against some higher ranked Heavyweights in the future.
Preliminary Bouts
Michael McDonald vs Chris Cariaso
McDonald is replacing the injured Norifumi Yamamoto and is coming off his exciting UFC debut against Edwin Figueroa which he won by decision he also has won 5 in a row. Cariaso is also making his 2nd UFC appearance with the UFC after beating Will Campuzano.
My Prediction McDonald by Submission 2nd Round- I personally think the 20 year old McDonald could be the next big thing in the bantamweight division and should show of his submission game in this fight.
McDonald is replacing the injured Norifumi Yamamoto and is coming off his exciting UFC debut against Edwin Figueroa which he won by decision he also has won 5 in a row. Cariaso is also making his 2nd UFC appearance with the UFC after beating Will Campuzano.
My Prediction McDonald by Submission 2nd Round- I personally think the 20 year old McDonald could be the next big thing in the bantamweight division and should show of his submission game in this fight.
Cole Escovedo vs Renan Barao
Escovedo the first ever WEC Featherweight champion is making his UFC debut and is coming off a submission victory Barao is also making his UFC debut and is on a incredibly impressive streak of 25 straight victories.
My Prediction Barao Submission 2nd Round- I've been anticipating Barao's UFC debut for some time and expect nothing less that an impressive performance and a submission victory from him.
Escovedo the first ever WEC Featherweight champion is making his UFC debut and is coming off a submission victory Barao is also making his UFC debut and is on a incredibly impressive streak of 25 straight victories.
My Prediction Barao Submission 2nd Round- I've been anticipating Barao's UFC debut for some time and expect nothing less that an impressive performance and a submission victory from him.
Kendall Grove vs Tim Boetsch
Grove is coming off a decision lose to Demian Maia and has traded wins and loses in his last 4 outings. Boetsch is making his Middleweight division debut after falling victim to the first ever "Mr Wonderful" submission by the hands of Phil Davis.
My Prediction Grove TKO 2nd Round- Grove could be fighting for his job with this fight and I expect him to fight like that and should be able to put away Boetsch.
Grove is coming off a decision lose to Demian Maia and has traded wins and loses in his last 4 outings. Boetsch is making his Middleweight division debut after falling victim to the first ever "Mr Wonderful" submission by the hands of Phil Davis.
My Prediction Grove TKO 2nd Round- Grove could be fighting for his job with this fight and I expect him to fight like that and should be able to put away Boetsch.
Gleison Tibau vs Rafaello Oliveira
Tibau who originally was set to face Bart Palaszewski is coming off a decision victory over Kurt Pellegrino. Oliveira is making his return to the UFC on short notice has won 4 in a row since his departure from the UFC.
My Prediction Tibau by Decision- Tibau should be able to use his size advantage to well....his advantage and score another decision victory.
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Tibau who originally was set to face Bart Palaszewski is coming off a decision victory over Kurt Pellegrino. Oliveira is making his return to the UFC on short notice has won 4 in a row since his departure from the UFC.
My Prediction Tibau by Decision- Tibau should be able to use his size advantage to well....his advantage and score another decision victory.
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