UFC 86 Picks

Quinton Jackson Versus Forrest Griffin

Quinton Jackson: Rampage is a hard-hitting, agressive fighter with a background in wrestling. Rampage's fighting style is aggressive, using his slamming ability (why do you think he is nicknamed 'Slampage'?) to slam his opponents to the ground and finish them with a flurry. His stand up striking is also supremely powerful and his chin is strong. The weakness of Rampage is his ability to 'gas' after the first rounds.

Forrest Griffin: Forrest has a never die attitude and will continue any fight to it's very end no matter how it might look. He cuts easily, but continues on. His fighting style is never giving up and Griffin definitely has the most heart in the light heavyweight division. He is a grappler, brawler (although his knockout power is non-existent), and does have submission skills. Forrest will, however, use any means necessary to win a fight.

Fight Analysis: Forrest has come a long way in his fighting ability and continues to work hard improving it. He will come in with a solid game plan and look to tire out Rampage. IMO, he will do this by staying out of range and using his size/reach advantage while letting Rampage swing at air. Rampage will come out with muscle. He is going to look to put this fight away early. He knows that later round fights will put Forrest at an advantate even if he isn't hurt in the process. Look for Rampage to quickly get inside Forrest's reach and finish him off quickly and brutally.

Prediction: Rampage by TKO stoppage... Best Guess, Round 2

BetUS Line:

Quinton Jackson -260

Forrest Griffin +200

Place Bet at BetUS

Bodog Line:

Quinton Jackson -260

Forrest Griffin +200

Place Bet at Bodog

Patrick Cote Versus Ricardo Almeida

Patrick Cote: Cote has some BJJ skills and heavy hands. He has a great chin and has done very well in his recent bouts. He has certainly turned his career around and is on his way to becoming a contendor instead of a reject.

Ricardo Almeida: Almeida is a BJJ expert and there are likely none better in this division. He has a decent stand up game with powerful leg kicks and moderate striking ability.

Fight Analysis: Patrick Cote NEEDS to keep this fight standing if he hopes to win. He is a very well rounded fighter, but on the ground it is a losing battle and most likely very quickly. Look for Cote to try to keep this fight standing while attempting to punish Ricardo with blows. Ricardo, though, will throw a blend of leg kicks and punches to keep Cote aware. He will use that tactic to eventually get Cote to the ground for a submission victory. I see Cote making it to the second round, but then....

Prediction: Almeida by Submision... Best Guess Round 2

BetUS Line:

Patrick Cote EVEN

Ricardo Almeida -130

Place Bet at BetUS

Bodog Line:

Patrick Cote +115

Ricardo Almeida -145

Place Bet at Bodog

Joe Stevenson Versus Gleison Tibau

Joe Stevenson: Joe 'Daddy' Stevenson is a BJJ expert with a ton of heart. He has average stand up skills and is more known for his aggressive takedowns and brilliant BJJ moves which many times result in a rear naked choke.

Gleison Tibau: Gleison Tibau is a BJJ expert and a very large 155 pounder. He has quality standup and good wrestling skills. Like Joe, he loves the rear naked choke.

Fight Analysis: While many are giving Joe Stevenson the nod for this victory, for us it is not an easy prediction. Both Stevenson and Tibau have similar skillsets and Tibau is the bigger guy with a healthy reach advantage. Both fighters are coming off losses, so there is no 'hungrier' fighter here. They both need to win to move forward int he division. Look for this fight to take place on the ground. Both fighters will look to feel each other out before a takedown and Tibau will try to keep Stevenson at bay with his reach. Look for the first takedown to be by Stevenson as he barrels through Tibau's reach. Once on the ground, it again becomes a bit of a stalemate. Both fighters have excellent ground skills. Both fighters will also have time on top doing minor damage while the other pulls guard. The fight will be very technical on the ground, but that means boring to the casual viewer. This fight will culminate with a decision and that decision will be a direct result of who is on top the longest doing the most punishment. Because Tibau did very little to damage Griffin in his last fight - I am going with a decision for Stevenson.

Prediction: Stevenson by Decision.

BetUS Line:

Joe Stevenson -220

Gleison Tibau +175

Place Bet at BetUS

Bodog Line:

Joe Stevenson -260

Gleison Tibau +200

Place Bet at Bodog