UFC Betting - UFC Betting Lines - UFC Predictions - UFC Odds - UFC Matchups - UFC Wagering Lines - Wager on the UFC

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (-130) vs. Rashad "Sugar" Evans (Even)

by Stan Leung
How to bet on UFC, Free MMA Picks, Bet on UFC Fighting with UFC Handicapping



Bet on UFC 114 at BetCRIS

UFC 114: Jackson vs Evans
May 29th, 2010 7 GMT
Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans
UFC Betting Pick: Rashad Evans (Even)

Bet this MMA UFC fight at BetCRIS

Light Heavyweight bout: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (-130) vs. Rashad "Sugar" Evans (Even)

Well this fight has been a long time coming and the ill will that began between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (30–7) and Rashad “Sugar” Evans (14-1-1) as judges on the Ultimate Fighter Season 10: The Heavyweights, will finally come to a head at UFC 114.

In basic comparison, there is no question as to who is the better fighter. Jackson is a very strong contender with powerful strikes who can down any fighter at anytime. His punches are technically sound and he always has his hands up. Some of his notable wins include Igor Vovchanchyn, Murilo Bustamante, Kevin Randleman, Chuck Liddell (twice), Ikuhisa Minowa, Ricardo Arona, Murilo Rua, Matt Lindland, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva and Keith Jardine. As good as he may be, Jackson however, is a one dimensional fighter. Though he may be able to KO anyone at anytime, he has not sought to improve other facets of his game—power striking is all that Jackson really has in his arsenal. Evans knows he cannot stand and trade with Jackson for an extended period of time so he will need to rely on other components of his game to win this one.

Speed will be key for Evans if he wants to take this one—quick jabs to set up the takedown in order to get this match on the ground will win it for him. A National Junior College Championship at the 165lb (75kg) category in 2000 with Niagara County Community College, Evans later transferred to Michigan State University where he started and amassed a 48–34 record during his time there. Jackson does not compare when it comes to the mats and Evans definitely has the edge here.

The one thing Jackson serious lacks is kick defense. This is well known by many and has been used against him on numerous occasions—one example is UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine. Though Keith Jardine lost the fight (unanimously) he was however able to seriously batter and inflict injury to Jackson using kicks. At UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin, Forrest Griffin was able to throw inside and outside kicks at Jackson that eventually helped him win the match. As Evans and Jardin train together, there is no doubt some this insight will be passed onto Evans. As Jackson is fairly stubborn and set in his ways, it is unlikely he has been working on improving his skill set and his inability to check kicks cost him the fight against Griffin and almost his fight against Jardine—it remains to be seen how Evans will use this to his advantage.

At one time mixed martial arts was based solely upon superiority of style and competency of technique. Over time it has evolved into a sophisticated sport where the successful fighter not only needs to come prepared for battle physically and mentally, but with a solid game plan and strategy to help him emerge victorious.

One intangible in this fight is octagon smarts and coaching. Evans hails from one of the best mixed martial arts camps in the world—Jackson’s Fighting Submission run by Greg Jackson. What separates this camp from all others is the effort Greg Jackson puts into devising a unique strategy and game plan for each of his fighters. Though most clubs take care of their guys physically, they often neglect the mental aspect of the game which is to provide them with a mental picture as to how to obtain their win. Greg Jackson is renown for his thoroughness and proof is in his product—UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, UFC Interim Heavyweight champion Shane Carwin, Keith Jardine, Kenny Florian, and Nate Marquardt.

Unlike Evans, Quinton Jackson on the other hand does not have anyone overlooking the “small” details in his training. He currently works out of the Wolfslair MMA Academy in England—a newer club with few experienced fighters. Wolfslair houses some decent strikers in Michael Bisping, Cheick Kongo and Paul Kelly however, they are still very much C+ level fighters with very little skill outside of striking, and of the group, Jackson is by far the most experienced. Besides there being no one of comparable ability at Wolfslair to push Jackson in his training, the coaching staff is sorely lacking—there is no one of note heading jujitsu and a wrestling coach is non-existent. Given this, it is very unlikely there will be anyone with decent game to help Jackson formulate a formidable battle plan. This alone may give Evans the edge needed to win this fight.

Another intangible that will affect the outcome of this match is the desire to compete. On September 22, 2009, Jackson wrote on his website that due to mistreatment by the UFC, he was “done fighting”, however, on December 4, 2009, Jackson wrote that he will return to the UFC to fulfill his contract and to fight Rashad Evans. Realistically, Jackson is done fighting. He has long left the UFC mentally and has gone on to pursue “bigger and better things”, namely, an acting career. He will be staring as B.A. Baracus in the upcoming A-Team movie and already has roles lined up in upcoming feature films such as Never Surrender, Duel of Legends and Death Warrior. If is highly unlikely Jackson still wants to compete at this level when Hollywood is beckoning—he will finish his current UFC contract and then move on. With the distraction of movie stardom looming in the horizon, and as Jackson has never been one to train properly for a fight, it more than likely he will be ill prepared to face Evans.

Bottom Line: If one was to look at Jackson’s record, he does well against strikers, however, when he comes across fighters with a multi facet game, he tends to have trouble. Fighters that know they cannot go punch for punch usually work on other areas of their MMA game to make up for this short coming. Jackson has always relied upon his power striking to win matches and when this fails, he needs to contend with areas of MMA he has never sought to improve.

Evans will not allow Jackson to draw him into a striking battle. He is too smart a fighter to fall for this ploy and will find other ways to win this battle. Jackson is all about power and striking and has limited octagon smarts—once he is thrown off his game, he is done. The desire to fight competitively is gone and unless his animosity for Evans is that overwhelming, Jackson will put on a lack luster show.

The online sportsbooks have Jackson as the betting favorite but I strongly suggest Evans for the underdog victory. Jackson is lacking in proper training, wrestling and grappling skills as well as a real desire to continue competing at this level. Evans has good people in his corner, a diverse MMA background as well as the drive and desire to win. I think this fight will go the distance. Evans will lose the first round as he tries to feel Jackson out but by the second and third, we will see Evans start to prevail.

Bet on the UFC at Bookmaker.com - Where The UFC Line Originates

» Free Mixed Martial Arts Picks Archive «