UFC 114 Preview: Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans

UFC 114 has lots of big names on its fight card: Michael Bisping, Diego Sanchez, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and more—but all those guys have easy match ups.

That’s why many sports betting sharps will focus on the main event, which is the grudge match between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans.

Here’s is ScoresOddsPicks writer Shea Matthew’s breakdown of the main event.

QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON

MMA record: 30-7

BetUs odds for UFC 114: -105

Interestingly enough, “strength” is one of Rampage’s biggest strengths. He’s one of the strongest guys in the division, so much that even dominant wrestlers like Dan Henderson (and maybe Rashad Evans) struggle to control him on the ground.

Rampage is known for his devastating slams. He’s also an experienced fighter who has battled many aggressive, vicious strikers over the years, including Wanderlei Silva, Shogun Rua, and Chuck Liddell in his prime.

Rampage is used to being hit and he can dish out plenty of punishment with his heavy hands and knees from the clinch.

Even though he usually looks in shape, conditioning has always been an issue for Rampage.

He simply doesn’t like to train. He may be even rustier than normal, too, considering he took time off for the A-Team movie and hasn’t fought in almost 16 months.

He’s a slower and less technically sound fighter than Evans, so he won’t want this bout to go to the judges.

“SUGAR” RASHAD EVANS

MMA record: 14-1-1

Bodog odds for UFC 114: -125

Rashad is right up there with the best wrestlers in the light heavyweight division and, as part of Greg Jackson’s camp, he gets even better training with Georges St-Pierre, Shane Carwin, and Jon Jones.

Rashad Evans is a good athlete.  He has quick hands and is one of the best evaders in the sport. He’s more capable of scoring quick points than Rampage and that’s probably why he’s the slight UFC betting favorite.

Though Rashad Evans has legit knockout power, he’s still not a true striker and not nearly as experienced as Rampage Jackson is at brawling. Because he’s so good at dodging attacks, he’s not used to getting hit.

In the last year, Evans’ lack of toughness caught up to him when he got knocked out by Lyoto Machida and almost fell again to Thiago Silva.

Because he won’t necessarily be able to manhandle Evans on the ground, he may have to brawl, and that doesn’t play to his strengths.

TODAY’S FREE PICK

Rashad Evans is a talented fighter, perhaps more naturally so than Rampage Jackson.

However, Rampage is a tough matchup for him. He’s physically strong enough to withstand Rashad’s take down attempts, more experienced, a better striker, and less afraid to get hit.

I see Rampage turning this bout into a war in the trenches. Just as we saw when Machida lost to Rua earlier this month, I see Evans being uncomfortable in that style of fight and losing as a result.

Free pick : Jackson -105