UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans

[nford]

I have been waiting for this match up for a while. However, I feel like the co-main event is lacking star power and

UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans

Date: Apr 21, 2012



Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Venue: Philips Arena
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, FX and Facebook*

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
•Champ Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans (for light-heavyweight title)

I've never been a huge Rashad fan, but I'm rooting for him in this fight for some reason. It probably has to do with how big of a favorite Jones is and also that his brother plays for the Ravens. However, Jones seems pretty unstoppable, but Rashad has an advantage of having trained with Jon and seen his weaknesses. Jon is the superior athlete with a big reach advantage. I have to take Jon via decision.

•Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills

Rory is a legit contender at 170 if he is ready to fight his teammate GSP. Seems like a pretty high profile fight for Mills who only has one UFC fight and is relatively unknown, but maybe he cand take advantage of the oppotunity and earn his spot fighting on the co-main event. Rory via TKO round 2.

•Ben Rothwell vs. Brendan Schaub

Schaub needs to avoid the takedown of Rothwell and take advantage of his superior athleticism. I'm interested to see how Schaub does against a good grappler in Rothwell. Rothwell is a very durable guy, but I see Schaub keeping the fight standing and staying on the outside and picking Rothwell apart. Schaub via KO headkick round 3.

•Michael McDonald vs. Miguel Torres

This should be a hell of a test for Michael McDonald. Torres is the former WEC champion and has over 40 fights. McDonald is 21 years old and is 3-0 in the UFC. He seems like he has a very bright future in the sport. I actually see this a very competitve fight, but I'm going to go with experience and say Torres via decision.

•Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin

Hominick is one of the top guys at 145. However, he is coming off back to back losses after losing a decison to Aldo and suffering a flash KO 7 seconds into his last fight. I think Hominick wins big here and gets back on his road toward the top of the division. Hominick by rear naked choke round 2.

•John Alessio vs. Mark Bocek

I've enjoy watching Bocek fight. He is one of the best grapplers at 155 lbs. Alessio is very experienced, but I think Boceks bjj gets him the W via armbar round 2.

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX)
•Travis Browne vs. Chad Griggs

KO round 1.

•Matt Brown vs. Stephen Thompson

Thompson has a 63-0 record in kickboxing. He showed his striking ability in his first and only UFC fight winning by KO headkick. Brown is super tough, but I think Thompson has the superior skills here. Thompson via TKO round 2.

•John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani

Njokuani via decision in a very competitive fight.

•Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero

Efrain is the better athlete, but Danzig will have superior bjj and that will earn him the submission victory. Mac via kimura round 3.

[BengalHawk62]

Man this main event is going to fun. Too bad I'm going to miss it. I've been going back and forth on this one for a while now. I can see each guy winning. I think if Evans wins its going to be because of a TKO, or he gets a good head shot in that drops Jones and then Evans quickly jumps on and sub's Jones. Jones can win anyway possible. For that reason alone, I'm going with Jones. He's just to versitile and with his long reach, I'm thinking Evans can't get inside to deliver that head shot, hence, Jones wins some how. Right now, I'm going to say Jones hits a flying head kick off the cage, a la Anthony Pettis that knocks Evans into next week.

[timmanis2000]

I'm like you guys, the main fight should be a great fight. I think Jones wins. I am also interested to see how Schaub does in his fight.

[nford]

Originally Posted by timmanis2000

I'm like you guys, the main fight should be a great fight. I think Jones wins. I am also interested to see how Schaub does in his fight.

Rashad has to make the fight his tempo and pressure Jones and get him going backwards in this fight. He needs to get the fight to the ground or in the clinch and get some good shots in on the champ.

I'm not a big Rothwell guy, but now that I'm thinking about it this seems like a pretty good test for Schaub. Rothwell is a durable guy and can take alot of punishment if Schaub can keep the fight standing it will really showcase his striking. However, Rothwell is going to both test Schaubs chin with his power and also his takedown defense.

[PApinhead]

This is going to be an awesome main event and unfortunately, I'm going to miss it.

My picks are the same as you guys. I'm taking Jones because he is younger and I think he just has too much for Evans. nford, you mentioned Evans having an advatange because of training with Jones, I think it goes the other way. When they were training together, Jones was younger, still learning, and developing his style. Whereas Evans would have been more set with what he does. I think Jones would be a different fighter now than when he was training with Evans, who is probably pretty much the same fighter. Now, I know both could and probably did make adjustments for this fight, so who knows!

I can't wait to see how it turns out!

[berserkerone88]

this card is carried by the main event. I have lukewarm interest outside of it.
Jones by TKO.

[nford]

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

this card is carried by the main event. I have lukewarm interest outside of it.
Jones by TKO.

Not overly suprising. This isn't a very exciting card for the casual fan beyond the main event.

Rory MacDonald is the future champion at 170lbs. I doubt the fight will be a huge test for him, but it should showcase his skills.

Michael McDonald and Stephen Thompson are two of the top prospects in the UFC. Both are fighting very tough and experienced guys and those are two fights that I'm excited for.

[nford]

Jones is unstoppable. I want too see either Anderson move up to fight Jones or Jones move up to fight some Heavyweights. Both would prove to be a test, but I don't think that Hendo is going to really have much of a chance against Jones. He obviously stands the punchers chance, but its going to be very similar to tonight in my opinion.

[berserkerone88]

Originally Posted by nford

Jones is unstoppable. I want too see either Anderson move up to fight Jones or Jones move up to fight some Heavyweights. Both would prove to be a test, but I don't think that Hendo is going to really have much of a chance against Jones. He obviously stands the punchers chance, but its going to be very similar to tonight in my opinion.

Hendo wont be afraid to go for some bigger chances like Evans was. He has a cement brick head and will risk the chance to get inside with Jones

[PApinhead]

Originally Posted by nford

Jones is unstoppable. I want too see either Anderson move up to fight Jones or Jones move up to fight some Heavyweights. Both would prove to be a test, but I don't think that Hendo is going to really have much of a chance against Jones. He obviously stands the punchers chance, but its going to be very similar to tonight in my opinion.

Originally Posted by berserkerone88

Hendo wont be afraid to go for some bigger chances like Evans was. He has a cement brick head and will risk the chance to get inside with Jones

Yeah, I like Hendo almost as much as I do Jones and agree that he will probably take more chances and try to get in, but he will probably pay for. I'll have to pick Jones in that one too.

I too would like to see Jones against Anderson. That would be a heck of a fight!

[savagehenry54]

Originally Posted by nford

Jones is unstoppable. I want too see either Anderson move up to fight Jones or Jones move up to fight some Heavyweights. Both would prove to be a test, but I don't think that Hendo is going to really have much of a chance against Jones. He obviously stands the punchers chance, but its going to be very similar to tonight in my opinion.

There's always a bigger fish though. At 205 especially, seems like there's been a ton of turnover of that belt.