UFC 130: Predicting the Outcome of Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill and the Rest
With UFC 130 lacking the usual buzz since the cancellation of the title fight between Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard, fans need not be upset as this card is still filled with intriguing match ups and story lines.
The main event has plenty of reasons for UFC fans to get excited, with all of the questions surrounding veteran Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Jackson, who was once the holder of the light heavyweight title belt, must win this fight to prove to fans and to the UFC that he is a fighter first, and actor second. Rampage has been under some scrutiny by critics that question if he still is as dedicated to the sports as he once was, before he got involved in the acting scene.
For Matt Hamill, this is a great opportunity for him to prove that he deserves to be talked about with the elite names of the UFC. Hamill comes into the fight riding a five fight winning streak, with wins over Tito Ortiz, Keith Jardine and Jon Jones. Hamill is missing that marque win on his record but that can all change with a win Saturday night.
Outside of the main event, UFC 130 is filled with other exciting fights including heavyweight powers Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson, which should be nothing short of a battle. Lethal striker Thiago Alves will be matched up against Rick Story who relies heavily on his wrestling to close out his opponents which should be an interesting clash of two styles..
Filling out the pay-per-view card viewers will see Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne and Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago.
Although UFC 130 lacks some of the pizazz of past UFC events, this one is filled with what should be entertaining fights.
Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago
1 of 5
This one will get the pay-per-view event started off with a bang as this looks like it should end with an early knockout as both fighters have the potential to let this one ride out from the stand up position.
Brian Stann comes in with consecutive wins with his most resent win coming against Chris Lebon in a round one knockout.
Santiago has better submission ability if this one does get to the ground but I see this one being taken with high flying punches, where I think Stann will come out victorious with a round one KO as I see him as a better striker.
Stefan Struve Vs.Travis Browne
2 of 5
This fight should be a surprisingly fun one as Stefan Struve (6'11", 238lbs) will take on Travis Browne (6'7", 255lbs) in a fight where punches will be thrown early and often.
Travis Browne is looking to get back in the win column, losing his last fight to Cheick Kongo by unanimous decision.
Struve comes in winning his last two fights (both by KO), most recently over Sean McCorkle.
Struve is the better overall fighter and can throw more variety at Browne which will play key in this one.
I think Struve can outlast the early fist fest coming out of the gate and be able to take Browne to third round and win this one by a TKO.
Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story
3 of 5
I'm picking this one to be the "Fight of the Night" as Thiago "The Pitbull" Alves and welterweights both have much to prove when the enter the Octagon on Saturday night.
For Alves, It's a way to continue on the winning path after losing to Georges St. Pierre and Jon Fitch consecutively before beating John Howard in his last fight.
As for Story, It's a chance for him to win his sixth fight in a row and prove to the UFC world that he deserves a shot against Fitch or St.Pierre.
Story will have an advantage on the ground if he can shoot Alves to the mat, where Thiago has the clear advantage in the stand-up.
I think Alves takes this one with a second round KO, in what will be a back and fourth fast paced two rounds but Alves superior Muay Thai will prove to be to much for Story handing him his first loss in six fights.
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Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson
4 of 5
This heavyweight bout features two fighters who are coming in with complete opposite outcomes in their last fights. Nelson is coming off a tough unanimous decision loss to Junis Dos Santos, where as Frank Mir comes into the fight with a knockout win over Mirko Filipovic.
Nelson was a previous winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" but is in need of a win to prove to the UFC world that he is a top 10 fighter in the heavyweight division and what better way to do that then knock off two-time Heavy Weight Champion Frank Mir?
Unfortunately for Nelson, Mir seems to be the better fighter in nearly every category and I think after Saturday night Nelson will have four losses in his last 6 fights, while Mir gets one step closer to a title shot.
Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
5 of 5
The MGM Grand Garden Arena should be rocking when Quinton Jackson and Matt Hamill take to the octagon.
Jackson comes in the clear favorite with superior striking ability and the more well-rounded fighter, but has lacked his killer instinct we have seen from him during his mixed martial arts career leaving the door slightly open for Hamill.
It's clear Hamill will have to use his wrestling to shoot and drive Rampage to the Mat because he will not have a chance trying to play the stand-up game with Quinton, so Matt must stick to the game plan of getting this one to the mat's early and often.
I will never question Hamill's toughness and heart but that is not quite enough for me to feel comfortable picking him in this one, I see Rampage finishing this fight with a third round TKO and proving to everyone that this is still his what he does; wins fights.
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