The Dean Of Mean Vs. Rampage: Jardine and Jackson Square Off

UFC 96 Analysis

I expect sparks to fly at UFC 96 when Keith Jardine and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson step into the cage. Both fighters are good on their feet and I predict much, if not all of this fight will be standing.

The only way I see it going to the ground is if Jackson can somehow get a hold of Jardine and execute one of his tenacious slams. Even though both fighters have heavy hands with tremendous knockout power, I see this fight going three rounds. Both men are extremely tough and need to win this fight.

If Rampage wins he will solidify his shot at the title against Rashad Evans. However, this fight is more important for Jardine.

While he has had some amazing wins in the UFC, he has also had some disappointing defeats and needs to win this fight if he wants to remain at the top of the stacked light-heavyweight division.

In the end I see a bloody Rampage Jackson with his hand raised, but this will be a war.

Another interesting fight on the card is Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga. Gonzaga is big but Carwin is HUGE and has devastating punching power. He is a good wrestler who has displayed some grueling ground and pound since entering the UFC.

However, Gonzaga is an outstanding BJJ black belt and can submit just about anyone. Carwin may want to re-think bringing this fight to the ground. He should keep it standing and try to land some shots and see if he can knock Gonzaga out.

If he can keep it standing, I believe Carwin wins and he will then be considered a legit heavyweight contender. But don’t count Gonzaga out if the fight stays standing. Everyone remembers his vicious knock out over Mirko Cro Cop, and it’s possible he could do the same against Carwin.

The real question is can Carwin go more than one round. All three of his fights in the UFC have ended in the first round and if this fight goes past the first round will he tire out? My guess is no, but I can’t see into the future.

In the end I see Gonzaga winning by submission late in the second round. Gonzaga has been in big fights before and preformed well. His experience and superb jujitsu will get him through this one. Carwin is a beast and will be back for sure, but he just not at that elite level yet.

The fighter I’m most interested in watching that is fighting on this card is Pete Sell (probably because I’m a big Drago fan). He had lost his last four fights before beating Josh Burkman by Unanimous Decision at UFC 90. He was a big 185 pounder and has dropped to 170lbs.

While he will be huge for this weight, the cut may get to him and conditioning my play a factor. With all that put to side, my man Pete Sell will be victorious on Mar. 7 at the Nationwide Arena in Ohio. This should be a great card and should put a lot of the victors on the path towards a UFC title shot.