UFC 135 Preview: Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson, an Early Head-to-Toe Breakdown

After weeks of trash talk, injury updates, opponent changes and motorboating, we now know that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will meet Jon Jones at UFC 135 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title.

Jackson is coming off of a decision win against Matt Hamill at UFC 130, while Jones has been nursing a hand injury since winning the title in March.

Jackson is a former UFC Lightweight Champion whose main goal is to knock guys out. As of late, though, Jackson has only been able to win (or lose) by decision.

Jones, on the other hand, has looked unstoppable, dominating each of his fights. 

Can the former champ get his belt back? Or will Jones prove to be too much and continue his rise? Here's an early breakdown of the fight!

Experience

Jackson, who just turned 33 yesterday, has been fighting since 1999.

Jackson has fought some of the best fighters in MMA history and holds wins over Chuck Liddell (two times), Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida. Although his career has had some downsides, he has been to the top of the mountain before.

Jones, on the flip side, is only 23 years old and has been fighting on the pro level since 2008. Although Jones has made each of his opponents look bad, he has said he still has a lot of growing to do in the sport.

Advantage: Jackson

Wrestling

Wrestling is a tough call.

Jones, a Junior College National Champion, has out-wrestled all of his opponents who have a great wrestling background.

Jackson, on the other hand, is known for his great wrestling defense.

Jones used to train with Rashad Evans, who obviously had Jackson’s number in the wrestling department in their fight.

Wrestling is one of Jones’ strong points, and because I can’t see Rampage going for takedowns, I believe Jones will have the slight advantage.

Advantage: Jones

Power

Jackson has KO power in both hands and has put guys out cold by both strikes and slams.

Although he has not had a knockout since 2008, Jackson has had some close calls, and continues to keep his fights standing up. 

Despite having eight knockout wins, many of Jones' opponents were not out cold. Jones is a big light heavyweight, but his striking is more about versatility than it is power.  

Advantage: Rampage

Overall Striking

Although Jackson may have more power in his punches, it does not mean he has better overall striking.

Jones has some of the most lethal elbows in the sport, and can come up with crazy spinning elbows or knees out of nowhere.

His versatility and huge reach advantage make Jones a tough fighter for anybody.

We always know what Jackson is looking to do. But you never know what Jones will throw at you.

Advantage: Jones

Submissions

Although Jones said this was his biggest weakness was his jiu-jitsu game, he has displayed great ground work so far in his career.

Jones has a good guillotine choke, and is looking to improve his submission game even more.

Jackson is not known for submissions, but he has only been forced to tap once in his 12-year career.

Despite this, if the fight does go to the ground, I give Jones the advantage.

Advantage: Jones 

Other Factors

Jackson

He is coming into this fight 7-2 in the UFC losing only to Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin.

The problem for Rampage is he is too one-dimensional and even his greatest assets have only gotten him decision wins as of late.  

Rampage says he wants his belt back. But he has also said he’s more about money. Jackson has been to the top once, but he is not the same fighter he once was.

Jones

He has looked great in every fight he has been in. Despite only being 23, he is ranked up there with fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva.

Jones is so unpredictable; you can’t tell what which route he’ll go in a fight.

Jones will be younger, quicker and more motivated coming into this fight.

The only thing Jones has going against him is we have not really seen his chin tested and he’s coming off of a hand injury. 

Who Will Win?

Jackson knows what it takes to be a champion. But he has not looked like the same fighter that he was when he won the UFC Heavyweight Title.

Jones is one of those special fighters that wows fans every time he enters the cage. I feel like Jones is on another level right now and the scary thing is he’s still maturing.

Jackson has a puncher's chance, but the most I see him getting is a decision loss.

Jones will take this fight by TKO or unanimous decision.