UFC 135: Previewing The Main Card

UFC 135 is set to take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver Colorado.  Hampered by a few injuries we still get a great main event of Jon Jones making his first Light Heavyweight title defense against former champion Quinton Jackson.  This is the first of 6 title fights in the next 8 weeks as the UFC has put together some great cards to finish out the year.  The co-main event features UFC hall of famer Matt Hughes taking on Josh Koscheck who stepped in for the injured Diego Sanchez on 19 days notice.  The main card is rounded out with 2 Heavyweight bouts that surely we will see a stoppage in and Nate Diaz looking to put a loss on Takanori Gomi's record by the hands of a Diaz for good this time.

Main Event 

UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Jon Jones vs Quinton Jackson

13-1 Record 32-8

24 Age 33

205 Weight 205

6'4 Height 6'1

84.5" Reach 73"

-525 Odds +400

How they got here: Jones is coming off his impressive performance against Shogun Rua where he dominated the Brazilian for all 3 rounds eventually winning by TKO and the UFC Lightweight title in the process.  Overall Jones has won 4 in a row with he only defeated being a DQ against Matt Hamill, a fight he dominated but used illegal elbows.  Rampage looks to get back his title after having defeated Matt Hamill and Lyoto Machida in his last 2 bouts.


What to expect: Although Jones is already the UFC champion being so young in his MMA career it's hard to gage what really to expect from him when he seemingly improves every fight out.  What we do know about Jones in this fight is he has a signiciant reach and height advantage on Ramage when mixed with his athleticism he could very well outstrike Rampage like he did Shogun.  Rampage on the other hand most likely has the power advantage in the stand up and is a risky game plan if you decide to stand with him.  Jones should look at Rampage's fight with Forrest Griffin and perhaps implement the same leg kick strategy on him, but would Rampage look for a takedown and surprise Jones.  Jones has claimed that Rampage's game hasn't changed from his one dimensional boxing with no jiu jitsu and could just look to get Rampage on his back and work his usual brutal elbows from there.  Jones possibly will have the condition edge in this bout but Rampage however has stated he has never worked this hard going into this fight where condition will surely be a factor.


My prediction: Jones by TKO 3rd Round

Matt Hughes vs Josh Koscheck

46-8 Record 15-5

37 Age 33

169 Weight 169

5'9 Height 5'10

73" Reach 73"

+260 Odds -340

How they got here:  Hughes is coming off the rubber match against BJ Penn a bout he lost in quick fashion, a 21 second KO.  Before the set back Hughes was on a 3 fight win streak, being his last fight on his current contract retirement could be on the mind of Hughes.  Koscheck, who was preparing a jump the Middleweight division steps in on short notice for the injured Diego Sanchez.  This is Koscheck's first appearance since his title fight loss to Georges St. Pierre, a fight that sidelined him with an eye injury.


What to expect: We should expect to see some sort of wrestling at some point between these 2 wrestling standouts.  For Hughes it's almost imperative for him to get the fight to the ground and avoid Koscheck's heavy right hand.  Koscheck pretty much has the advantage in every department aside from experience and maybe submissions.  Even with most of the advantages and as the favorite Koscheck still should expect a very tough fight from Hughes who surely will be motivated if it really is he last career fight.


My prediction: Koscheck by Decision

Travis Browne vs Rob Broughton

12-0-1 Record 15-5-1

30 Age 28

247 Weight 257

6'7 Height 6'2

78" Reach 74"

-350 Odds +285

How they got here: Browne is coming off his most impressive win of his undefeated career, a KO over Stefan Struve which is considered one of the best KO's of the year.  Broughton is making his 2nd appearance with the UFC after having won his debut which extended his win streak to 4.


What to expect: The powerful Browne is the odds on favorite heading into this bout but it's quite possible for Broughton to get the big upset if he can get this fight to the ground.  It will be a very tall order (literally) to get the 6'7 Browne to the mat while trying to avoid the extremely heavy hands of his.  Browne is on the verge of breaking through as a future contender in the Heavyweight division and while many look at this as a warm up fight to get to that level Broughton still is a good test for Browne.


My prediction: Browne by TKO 1st Round

Mark Hunt vs Ben Rothwell

6-7 Record 31-7

37 Age 29

264 Weight 262

5'10 Height 6'5

74" Reach 80"

+250 Odds -350

How they got here: Hunt is coming off his impressive KO victory over Chris Tuchscherer which also was his first UFC win.  Rothwell's last seen action over a year ago which was a win over Gilbert Yvel.


What to expect: It's almost really up to Rothwell how this fight plays out does he want to risk standing up with the dangerous one punch ko power of Hunt's or does he want to take the fight to the ground and grind out a win.  Can Hunt keep this fight standing long enough to connect one of his powerful strikes because one would think the longer the fight goes the more it would start to favour Rothwell.


My prediction: Hunt by TKO 1st Round

Nate Diaz vs Takanori Gomi

13-7 Record 32-7

26 Age 33

171 Weight 155

6'0 Height 5'8

76" Reach 70"

-260 Odds +215

How they got here: Diaz is making his return to the Lightweight division after having competed in the Welterweight division in his last 4 bouts.  Diaz had mixed results in the bigger weight class winning his first 2 fights by stoppage but then losing his last 2 by decision to bigger opponents who where able to easily control Diaz.  Gomi has had his own case of mix results since debuting with the UFC sitting at 1-2 so far with the organization.  His last bout was a submission loss to the surging Clay Guida.


What to expect: Diaz could use his height and reach advantage in the standup keeping out of Gomi's range and force him to come inside from there he can look to clinch with Gomi and get a takedown and really put the fight in his advantage.  That strategy seems easy enough on paper but letting Gomi get close enough to you to use his powerful hands can be a risky challenge.


My prediction: Diaz by Submission 2nd Round


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