On March 19, 2011, UFC 128 will take place. In this bout, we will see fights that have a lot riding on them. Future title contenders will be discovered, there's the possibility of the retirement of a legend and a few people may lose their jobs. This also may be one of the most exciting events of the year. Here are the main card breakdowns.
Nate "The Great" Marquardt vs Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama
Akiyama is arguably the best Judo practitioner in the UFC, while Marquardt is one of the best wrestlers. On paper, this is a close fight and truthfully, with a loss either could be cut from the organization.
Akiyama is very marketable in UFC's quest towards Japan, while Marquardt, on the other hand, isn't too high on Dana White's list of favorite fighters. In this fight, expect both to lay it all on the line, as both are warriors and this fight is truly a toss up.
Expect Nate to capitalize with his wrestling and for Akiyama to gas out by the mid-second to early third-round.
My pick: Nate Marquardt
Jim Miller vs Kamal Shalorus
Both of these fighters are very well rounded, as Shalorus has the better stand up, while Miller has the better ground game. The winner of this fight will really be in the mix for a future title shot. Miller is 19-2, and his only 2 losses were to current Lightweight champion Frank Edgar and number 1 contender Gray Maynard. Shalorus has never fought anyone that is as good as Miller, but he still has a good chance to win. Miller is ready to get the title shot that he believe he deserves. A win for Miller will go a long way for him. Expect this fight to be mostly on the ground. It should be a great fight.
My pick: Jim Miller
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub
The fight of legend vs up-and-comer. Both have good striking and ground games. A loss could mean retirement for Cro Cop, since Mirko has been winning fights, but it seems that he is afraid to pull the trigger. It would be amazing to see one more left high kick from Cro Cop. Will we see it? Hopefully we can, as Cro Cop says the "fire" is back.
Schaub needs a win like this on his resume. His striking is good, and his ground game has improved tons. Expect this fight to stay standing. If Cro Cop has his "fire" back then he is almost unstoppable. Stylistically this is Cro Cop's type of fight.
Will he capitalize on this opportunity? I truly hope so.
My pick: Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic(If the fire is back)
Urijah Faber vs Eddie Wineland
Faber is an outstanding wrestler training with team Alpha Male, he is the former WEC Featherweight champion. Wineland was the first ever WEC Bantamweight champion, and he is currently on a four fight winning streak.
This is a win that Wineland would love to have on his resume. The winner of this fight will face champion Dominic Cruz for the Bantamweight championship. In his past two fights, Wineland has won the knockout of the night bonus, with his most recent involving an amazing slam against Ken Stone.
Faber is the fan favorite and always puts on great performances. His most recent win was his debut at bantamweight against Takeya Mizugaki, in which he won via Rear Naked Choke. Faber also holds a win over the current Bantanweight champion.
This fight will show who the better wrestler is as well as who has the better striking. This has the makes of a solid war, with the edge going towards Faber. Wineland needs to use his strength to his advantage, but if not, Faber will capitalize.
I don't see this fight going to the judges.
My pick: Urijah Faber
Main Event: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (c) vs Jon "Bones" Jones
This could be fight of the year.
Shogun has beat the who's who of the Light Heavyweight division, while Jones has dominated every opponent he has faced.
It seems like the hype may be getting to Jones' head. In recent interviews he has said that he has already won the fight, he will submit Shogun, and that he will clinch with Shogun. That's good to have confidence, but if you say bold statements like that, you better be able to back them up.
Shogun has faced some of the best strikers in the sport and has never been knocked out and Jones has never had his chin tested. A loss for either guy will not hurt them at all, it will just prove who is the best fighter in the Light Heavyweight division. Jones has never been in a fight this big before, though in every performance, he seems to get better.
Shogun is coming off of an injury so we truly don't know which Shogun we will see. Will it be the unbeatable man that ran through everyone in Pride, or will it be the man that isn't himself that showed up against Forrest Griffin?
We will find out next Saturday night.
I could see Jones winning this fight with his athleticism, and Shogun could win this fight with his outstanding stand up. I could see Shogun getting one of Jones' legs and locking up a heel hook. I personally cannot see Shogun getting knocked out.
This should be a good back and fourth fight. Expect some clinch work, where both men are very strong. This fight is a true toss up, where I am definitely leaning towards the veteran in this fight.
I truly can't wait!
My pick: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
Overall this event has the potential to be an A+ type of event, but we will have to see to find out. Here are my other picks for the event. Luis Artur Cane, Dan Miller, Joseph Benavidez, Edson Barboza Jr., Mike Pyle, and Eric Koch.
Enjoy the event, be sure to follow me on twitter @SloCoMania
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
No comments:
Post a Comment