UFC 140 – Picks And Predictions
UFC 140 this Saturday night will feature UFC light-heavyweight champion, Jon Jones' second title defense against former champion, Lyoto Machida. In addition, the card will also feature heavyweight Frank Mir looking to beat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for a second time, UFC veteran Tito Ortiz taking on the other Nogueira brother, Antonio Rogerio, Claude Patrick battling Brian Ebersole and Mark Hominick and Chan Sung Jung. Let’s look ahead
JON JONES VS. LYOTO MACHIDA
Lyoto Machida has a very unorthodox style and can be very evasive. His karate stance keeps his head at a distance while he’s able to keep his opponent distanced with leg kicks. Machida’s only weakness may be when an opponent rushes in and attacks violently as Mauricio Rua did at UFC 113 earning a first round knockout.
Jon Jones on the other hand has proven to be a phenomenal athlete with superior size and strength seemingly built to be champion of the light-heavyweight division. Jones in the past has been able to over-power and completely bully his opponents with rapid attacks. Jones however, in his battle with ‘Rampage’ Jackson, let intimidation be a factor in how he decided to fight and actually slowed down his pace to avoid being caught. This type of tactic could be troublesome against a highly technical opponent such as Machida which brings in the interesting possibility of defeat for Jones which after Machida, is hard to imagine.
I picture Jones getting back to true form however, being too fast, too big, closing the distance, easily taking this fight to the ground and having his way however he wants it in this one. Jones by submission.
FRANK MIR VS. ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA
Frank Mir has added size and striking to his already dominant arsenal. Nogueira has proven recently that he can hang with strikers in his comeback KO over Brendon Schaub, but it won’t be enough against Mir. Mir should be able to dictate where this fight goes and should be able to dominate it wherever it takes place. Mir by TKO.
TITO ORTIZ VS. ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA
Tito has aged and with that has slowed significantly. In addition, athletes around him have improved in technical skill and size in order to fight off his once dominant techniques. Aside from an impressive win over Ryan Bader to keep his job in the UFC, Tito has lost five of his last six with the other being a draw. Antonio Rogerio is big enough not to be bullied, has a solid ground game, a decent stand-up and should be well suited to fend off Tito’s attacked at any phase of the fight. Both fighters will tire as the fight goes on, Tito likely more-so leaving a decision victory for grabs by Nogueira. Nogueira by unanimous decision.
CHAN SUNG JUNG over MARK HOMINICK by submission.
BRIAN EBERSOLE over CLAUDE PATRICK by submission.
