Tag: free picks

UFC 135 – Jones vs. Rampage

Date/Time: September 24, 2011, 9pm ET/6pm PT
Venue: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
Broadcast: Pay-per-view
Betting: Bet on UFC 135 at BetOnline.com

Main card:

Jon Jones (13-1): -550
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8): +400

What a main event! Jon Jones is an absolute nightmare matchup for Rampage in this one. Jones is big, athletic, long, quick, powerful and dynamic while Rampage is the same old one dimensional standup fighter. Expect Jones to easily dodge any of the telegraphed strikes thrown by Rampage and for the youngster to school the veteran in this one. Jones has too many tools and is too young and hungry for Rampage to have a chance. It will be exciting and it will end with a KO.

Pick: Jon Jones -550

Matt Hughes (45-8): +380
Josh Koscheck (17-5): -480

In a battle of legend vs. “wannabe legend“, Matt Hughes will attempt to slow Josh Koschek’s reassertion up the Welterweight ladder. Both men are very well versed, well rounded and can end this fight anywhere, anytime. I like the experience of Hughes and his relentless takedown game to overpower Kos. Hughes`s legacy is on the line here – something that he takes very seriously. In a close fight, take the veteran to prevail in a huge upset.

Pick: Matt Hughes +380

Rob Broughton (15-5-1): +300
Travis Browne (11-0-1): -400

In a Heavyweight clash of heavy handed strikers, one undefeated streak will end. Rob Broughton has won five straight fights while Travis Browne has never tasted defeat. I like Browne as the better technical striker in this one – a KO is almost certain!

Pick: Travis Browne -400

Nate Diaz (13-7): -260
Takanori Gomi (32-7, 1 NC): +200

A classic `clash of styles’ is featured in the Diaz/Gomi bout. Diaz is a submission fighter while Gomi prefers to keep the fight standing. With a lack of striking prowess, Diaz will have a difficult time closing the ground on the heavy handed Gomi. I like Gomi to catch Diaz in the second round ending the fight with a highlight reel KO.

Pick: Takanori Gomi +200

Mark Hunt (6-7): +275
Ben Rothwell (31-7): -350

Ben Rothwell returns to the Octagon after a stint of relative inactivity against kick boxer Mark Hunt. Octagon Rust and the fact that Rothwell has had his issues in the past defending kicks will be the difference in this fight. In an exciting brawl, expect the kick boxer to come out on top.

Pick: Mark Hunt +275

Preliminary card:

Aaron Riley (30-12-1): +240
Tony Ferguson (11-2): -300

A once highly touted prospect Aaron Riley will try to get his career back in order when he takes on dangerous striker Tony Ferguson at UFC 135. Riley has been susceptible to heavy hands recently – Riley has lost 2 of his last 4 fights by KO. That plays into the devastating striking game of Ferguson unfortunately for Riley. [ad-3573245]

Pick: Tony Ferguson -300

Tim Boetsch (13-4): -170
Nick Ring (12-0): +140

Nick Ring puts a perfect record on the line against Tim Boetsch who is coming off a huge win over Kendall Grove. Expect Boetsch`s size (a natural Light Heavyweight fighting at Middleweight) to be too much in this one. In this fight, size does matter.

Pick: Time Boetsch -170

Ricardo Romero (11-2): +130
James Te Huna (12-5): -160

Both of these fighters will be looking to rebound after losses in their last fights. Te Huna has an awful time defending against submissions – 4 of his 5 losses have come by way of submission. Romero on the other hand is very well versed in submissions – 5 of his last 6 wins have come via tapout. Romero wins this fight easily by, you guessed it, submission.

Pick: Ricardo Romero +130

Cole Escovedo (17-7): +160
Takeya Mizugaki (14-6-2): -200

In Bantamweight action, two fighters in desperate need of a win do battle. Mizugaki is known as a bit of a grinder – not scared to go the distance in his fights. Expect much of the same in this one with Cole Escovedo`s serious lack of takedown defense being his Achilles heel once again.

Pick: Takeya Mizugaki -200

Junior Assuncao (13-4-0): -125
Eddie Yagin (15-4-1) -105

Junior Assuncao returns to the Octagon after four years away when he takes on highly touted Eddie Yagin in Featherweight action. Assuncao is a Black Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but he will have a hard time with Octagon rust and with the all around prowess of a confident and recently impressive Yagin. Yagin recently submitted former Bellator champion Joe Soto – that’s enough for me.

Pick: Eddie Yagin -105

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