UFC 128 Analyisis and Predictions
Main Event
Light Heavyweight Championship
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-4) vs. Jon "Bones" Jones (12-1)
It?s crazy that at just 23 years of age, Jon Jones has a shot at being a world champion. It?s also fairly amazing that he is considered the favorite by many, even though he hasn't actually really been hit yet.
Jones is definitely talented but very untested as of yet, and just like every fighter, eventually he's gonna get into deep water and have to overcome or not, I think we may see what happens when Jon Jones gets into deep water this weekend.
Jones has not been hit much on his feet and is very elusive but so is Lyoto Machida, Jones may get the takedown but I think Shogun will definitely be too much of a threat from his back and will get back to his feet. If Shogun is healed up and healthy he wins by TKO in the second round.
Bantamweight Bout
Urijah Faber (24-4) vs. Eddie Wineland (18-6-1)
Faber was at one time considered high on the list of top pound for pound fighters but as of late his ranking has slipped a bit, mainly because of Jose Aldo.
Eddie Wineland is a handful for anyone in the bantam weight division but I think Faber will just be too well rounded and be able to take the fight where he wants it with his takedowns after an initially flurry from Wineland.
Faber by rear naked choke in the second round after some ground and pound.
Jim Miller (19-2) vs. Kamal Shalorus (7-0-2)
Miller is getting close to a title shot and I think will prove to be too much for the unpolished and one dimensional Shalorus. Miller by unanimous decision.Middleweight Bout
Dan Miller (13-4-1) vs. Nate Marquardt (30-10-2)
The second member of the Miller family on the main card faces off with standout Nate Marquardt following Akiyama?s withdrawl due to the Japanese Tsunami disaster.
Miller has a ton of heart and guts taking any fight at anytime but I don't think that that will be enough and he will get out classed in this one. Marquardt by unanimous decision.Heavyweight Bout
Mirko Filipovic (27-8b-2-1) vs. Brandon Schaub (7-1)
This is an interesting match up of an old school striker going up against a young hungry guy that is a decent striker himself but he doesn't have enough skills yet to take Mirko out of his comfort zone which is standing up and putting him on the ground where he is not as proficient so I think we're gonna see some of those kicks that Mirko grew so famous for and Schaub is gonna learn a hard lesson from a veteran striker in Cro Cop with a TKO stoppage in the third round.
