UFC 135 Jones vs Rampage Live Odds, Favorites, Free Picks, Tips and Expert Predictions – UFC 135 Free Bets from UFC Vegas Handicapping Expert Eric Moore from the National Sports Advisors: Check out the UFC 135 Betting Tips, Vegas Odds, Free Bets and Handicapping preview from expert UFC handicapper/tipster Eric Moore below. If you are interested in betting on our UFC 135 Jones vs Rampage Odds and Predictions and want betting lines, than simply skip to the latest UFC Betting odds from Bodog.
UFC 135 Heavyweight Bout
Ben Rothwell vs. Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt
Ben Rothwell (31-7) strung together a thirteen fight win streak from 2005 to 2007 but has recently lacked the same consistency. Rothwell has gone 2-2 in his last four fights and is 1-1 inside the UFC. His debut bout came against the now UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez which he lost by TKO. Rothwell is a fighter that likes to take his opponents to the ground and beat them up inside the guard or look for submissions. He last fought in June of 2010 where he won by unanimous decision over Gilbert Yvel.
As pure of a striker as there is Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt (6-7) has much more experience in kickboxing matches then in MMA. Hunt lives up to his kickboxing roots having very heavy hands and very dangerous on the feet. He is an unimpressive 1-6 in his last seven fights over a period of five years. Being almost exclusively a striker has made Hunt susceptible to submissions being tapped out six times.
Hunt (N/A) has the power and ability to knockout anyone in the heavyweight division with a well placed punch. It’s undeniable that he has excellent standup but he puts himself at a disadvantage in an MMA bout with such poor grappling. Rothwell (N/A) hands are good enough to keep Hunt honest and if he closes the distance will be able to bring the fight to the mat. Rothwell will be in constant danger when the fight is on the feet but he will take this fight to the ground and use his grappling to end this fight.
Prediction – Ben Rothwell by way of submission
UFC 135 – Lightweight Bout
Nate Diaz vs. “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi
The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz (13-7) has a very strong skill set in jiu-jitsu. Diaz has lost his last two fights with both of them being fought in the welterweight division. Diaz is dropping down to lightweight for this fight which gives him unique advantages being so tall. Diaz usually has a reach advantage on welterweights and it will be even more evident dropping down a weight class. Diaz is always looking to put on a good fight earning Fight of the Night four times and Submission of the Night twice.
“The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (32-7, 1 NC) is a very heavy handed fighter with a good background in wrestling. He sits at 1-2 inside the UFC with his lone win coming against another heavy handed striker Tyson Griffin earning him Knockout of the Night. His two losses have come against Kenny Florian and Clay Guida both defeating him by submission. Even with his strong wrestling Gomi has shown he is vulnerable to good jiu-jitsu practitioners being tapped out five times.
This is going to be an interesting fight for Diaz (-260). He is going to have almost a six inch reach advantage on the feet and is taking on a man known to get caught in submissions. His approach should be cautious though because Gomi (+200) has proven that he can throw bombs when he became the first person to knockout Tyson Griffin. Also Gomi has never been knocked out often showcasing his granite chin. Diaz needs to use his reach to keep Gomi on the outside and press for a takedown when he gets Gomi backed up against the cage. Diaz will exploit Gomi’s weakness to jiu-jitsu and most likely lock in a choke.
Prediction – Nate Diaz by way of submission
UFC 135 – Heavyweight Bout
Travis “Hapa” Browne vs. Rob “The Bear” Broughton
Travis “Hapa” Browne (11-0-1) is coming off the biggest win of his young career where he knocked out Stefan Struve with a superman punch 4:11 into the first round. The impressive nature with which he dispatched Struve won him Knockout of the Night honors. Browne is a stand and bang kind of guy ending nine fights by KO or TKO. Twice he has ended a fight within the first ten seconds and has only been outside of the first round four times. The only fight he didn’t win was a draw against Cheick Kongo where Kongo was deducted a point for repeatedly grabbing Browne’s shorts.
Professional since 2004 Rob “The Bear” Broughton (15-5-1) is still new to the UFC making his debut in October of 2010. In that fight Broughton was able to secure a rear-naked choke 1:43 into the third round to earn a submission victory. He has shown his well rounded skills ending seven fights by (T)KO and five by submission.
The majority of Broughton’s (+260) has come overseas in his native country England. While the sport is growing over there it doesn’t offer up the same level of competition that the UFC can provide. While Browne (-360) only has three UFC fights under his belt this could make a huge difference in the fight. Browne is going to exploit Broughton on the feet and he will land a punch that will end Broughton’s night.
Prediction – Travis “Hapa” Browne by way of KO
UFC 135 – Welterweight Bout
Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck
A former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (45-8) has a wealth of experience and a resume of the who’s who of the welterweight division. After losing his title for the second time Hughes hasn’t been able to find the stride that once made him one of the most dominant champions in the UFC. Since that loss he’s gone 4-3 consisting of losses to Georges St-Pierre, Thiago Alves and B.J. Penn. To add to the drama Hughes contract with the UFC is up after this fight and there have been rumors of retirement depending on the outcome.
Josh Koscheck (15-5) is coming off of a loss for the welterweight belt against Georges St-Pierre. In that fight Koscheck was dominated on the feet by jabs and suffered a broken orbital bone on his right eye. Before that he had won three impressive fights in a row including a bout against Anthony Johnson that earned him Submission and Fight of the Night. Koscheck utilizes serviceable standup and a very strong wrestling attack.
These are two fighters that like to use the same strategy. They both have knockout power in their hands but what they do best is wrestle. Hughes (+300) used his grappling and ability to control people on the ground to terrorize the welterweight division while he was champion. Koscheck (-500) does basically the same thing minus the excellent resume Hughes has put together. With both fighters essentially using the same strategy the difference maker is going to be age. Koscheck is younger and looks like he has more in his gas tank. Hughes will put up a spirited effort but there’s no denying he is on the tail end of his career. Koscheck uses that to set a pace that Hughes won’t be able to keep up with.
Prediction – Josh Koscheck by way of unanimous decision
UFC 135 – Light Heavyweight Championship Bout
Jon “Bones” Jones (Champion) vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (Challenger)
Coming off an impressive victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua where he won the light heavyweight belt Jon “Bones” Jones (13-1) is set to make his first title defense. The only loss of his career came from a DQ in a fight he was dominating. With Matt Hamill mounted Jones threw illegal 12-to-6 elbows that forced the referee to step in and disqualify him. Outside of that Jones has looked nearly flawless in all his fights. He has unorthodox striking and is an extremely powerful wrestler. When on the mat he has shown the ability to pound fighters out or lock in a submission.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-8) is easily one of the most intimidating figures in modern MMA. He has power in both hands that can end anyone’s night early and a very strong wrestling base. Lately he has used his wrestling to defend takedowns instead of attempting them himself. Jackson’s talent has never been in question but it’s his focus that often brings him criticism. Taking time off to film movies and complaining about the way the UFC treats him has led to people doubting his commitment. If Jackson’s head is in the right place and he dedicates himself to training he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
Looking at each fighter’s style and what they have been able to do recently it’s clear that Jackson (+350) doesn’t have a lot of options in this fight. He’s not going to be able to out wrestle Jones (-550) and Jackson isn’t going to be able to easily get on the inside with Jones. Jones has shown that with his long arms and legs he is content on striking from the outside until he has worn his opponent down enough to get in tight. The only way Jackson wins this fight is with a big haymaker and don’t expect Jones to just walk into one. Jones will beat him up on the feat, at some point drop Jackson and swarm in for the finish.
Prediction – Jon “Bones” Jones by way of TKO
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