Rampage Jackson

Let’s take a look at Saturday’s UFC 96 pay per view fight card and make some picks.

Quinton Jackson (-325) vs. Keith Jardine (+250)

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is one win away from a date with Light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans. Standing in his way is perennial top 10 LHW Keith Jardine, who oh by the way is Evans training partner.

Jackson’s strategy will be to push the pace and force Jardine to back pedal and counter. Jardine will have to employ the game plan he used to upset Chuck Liddell in September of 2007. Work the legs kicks and grind out a decision while frustrating Jackson into maybe making a mistake.

Expect the fight to remain of the feet for the entire 15 minutes. A focused Jackson takes home the victory with a 1st round KO.

Gabriel Gonzaga (-170) vs. Shane Carwin (+140)

Gabriel Gonzaga is the gate keeper blocking 10-0 Shane Carwin from the upper echelon of UFC big men.

Gonzaga is best known for one of the most shocking KO’s in UFC history when he head kicked Mirko Cro Cop out cold. Carwin is a physical specimen with All American accolades in both wrestling and football at the division II level.

The X factor in this fight is the fact that Carwin is now training with Greg Jackson’s camp in New Mexico one of the best MMA camps this side of the Mississippi. A quick peek at Carwin’s record shows more fat than meat. In this instance I go with the seasoned Gonzaga with a submission win sometime in the second round.

Matt Hamill (-170) vs. Mark Munoz (+140)

If, you like collegiate wrestling than Matt Hamill vs. Mark Munoz is right up your alley. Hamill gained notoriety from his stint on season 3 of Spike TV’s Ultimate Fighter and due to the fact he is the first legally deaf fighter to step into the Octagon.

This is the first time in Hamill’s 7 fight MMA career that he is facing a better pure wrestler. Munoz competed for Big 12 contender Oklahoma State and is 5-0 in his 17 month MMA career.

Munoz will be able to put Hamill on his back and control the fight from top position. Hamill is tough as nails so don’t look for an early finish, but for Munoz to grind out a 3 round decision.

Gray Maynard (-200) vs. Jim Miller (+160)

A lightweight battle highlights the undercard as wrestler Gray Maynard takes on submission specialist. The fight won’t be won on the feet as both men use their strikes to set up their take downs.

The momentum of this contest will turn on whoever ends up top when the fight goes to the ground. Maynard wins when he is on top pounding away at his opponent, here he can utilize his wrestling for positioning and his power to wear down his foe.

Miller will win if he puts Maynard on his back. Wrestlers don’t like to be on their back and Maynard is no expectation. If, Miller can neutralize Maynard’s strength advantage with his jiu-jitsu than he will win a 3 round decision.

Look for Miller to have his hand raised and if people are taking action on Fight of the Night honors it wouldn’t hurt to pay close attention to this one.