Skysports.com's in-depth preview of UFC 128, including Mauricio Rua against Jon Jones.
Since WEC's merger with the UFC in December last year we have seen an influx of new exciting fighters added to their already stacked roster.
UFC president Dana White has taken advantage of this for UFC 128, where we get the chance to see the former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber make his UFC debut against former WEC bantamweight & UFC debutant Eddie Wineland in the co-main event of the evening at The Prudential Center.
However, whilst this bout is worthy of main event status, that honour has been bestowed upon UFC champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua who will be facing the ever impressive Jon "Bones" Jones for the light-heavyweight title in Newark, New Jersey.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua v Jon "Bones" Jones
If this doesn't get fight fans' attention then I don't know what will. It is very much a fight between generations - with "Shogun" representing the old guard who earned his spurs as a young fighter with Pride, against Jones, the new breed of MMA superstar who is very much the future of the sport.
Former Pride Grand Prix champion Rua became the UFC light-heavyweight champion after defeating Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, righting the wrong of UFC 104 where in my opinion he clearly out-struck, out-fought & out-pointed the then champion Machida.
This is his first defence of the title and he was originally scheduled to fight Jones' friend and team mate Rashad Evans who had to pull out due to a knee injury.
While Jones is undoubtedly a huge talent with an array of skills, in my opinion, he has never fought anyone who will pose as much of a threat as Rua. Excluding his disqualification against Matt Hammill for illegal elbows, the unorthodox Jones has an unblemished MMA record with notable wins over the likes Ryan Bader, Brandon Vera & Stephan Bonner.
Jones is a diverse fighter with a strong wrestling pedigree and the ability to finish fights via his unorthodox striking techniques. He is tall and has a decent reach advantage which could cause problems for "Shogun".
If you feel Jones can continue this streak and become the new UFC light-heavyweight champion you can get an industry top price of 8/13 with the online bookmaker Sky Bet.
However, a fit "Shogun" is arguably one of the most exciting fighters in the world. His unparalleled aggression and significant experience combined with his phenomenal Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai makes him a very dangerous opponent for Jones.
Despite Rua being only 29, which is relatively young in the sport of MMA, he has been fighting at the highest level for almost a decade and has an excellent CV with wins over Rampage Jackson, Antonio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell & Lyoto Machida.
Comparisons are already being made between "Bones" Jones and the young "Shogun" Rua who took Pride by storm in 2003 winning seven of his first eight fights by TKO/KO. He quickly became a fans favourite due to his flying stomps (illegal in the UFC) and brutal leg kicks, and Jones himself is experiencing similar adulation from MMA fans and has long been tipped as the next big thing.
In my opinion, Jones is a future UFC champion; however, this fight may have come a bit early for the American and if the Brazilian Rua is 100% fit then it may be a case of too much too soon for the young contender. If you agree, and feel "Shogun" will successfully defend his title you can get a price of 6/5 with Sky Bet.
Top Tip: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua to win @ 6/5
"The California Kid" Urijah Faber v Eddie Wineland
If any UFC fans questioned Zuffa's decision to merge WEC with UFC then this fight may go far in justifying that decision.
The first high-profile bantamweight bout in UFC history see's two former WEC champions collide in a bid to earn a title shot against current champion Dominick Cruz.
Following the merger, fighters such as these will inevitably increase their global profile and earn the recognition they deserve.
"The California Kid", already an extremely popular fighter in the USA, is no stranger to main event status with him having previously headlined seven WEC events. Faber is a well-rounded fighter who is renowned for his lightning fast hand speed, take downs and excellent submissions.
Conversely, Wineland is predominantly a stand up fighter with KO power exceeding that of a typical Bantamweight, with 50% of all his MMA wins coming by way of KO/TKO.
However, he is no stranger to the mat, with himself having a strong wrestling base and the ability to submit an opponent.
If you feel Wineland can upset the odds here and beat Faber you can get a massive price of 10/3 with Sky Bet, a bet of £30 returning a huge £130! In my opinion, Faber is the favourite for a reason here, he is too well rounded, experienced and quick for Wineland and this is reflected in his price of 1/5.
Nevertheless, the beauty of this gladiatorial sport is that there is always a punchers chance, and with Wineland's KO power that is very much the case here. You can back Wineland for the knock out at a price of 6/1 with the online bookmaker.
Top Tip: Faber to win by submission @ 6/5
Nate "The Great" Marquardt v Dan Miller
Dan Miller has stepped up from the preliminary card to replace Yoshiro Akiyama following recent event's in his home nation of Japan. My thoughts go out to everyone affected by this natural disaster in particular those who have lost loved ones, their homes and entire communities.
Miller, joining his brother Jim on the main card, is arguably in the better form here coming off the back of wins over Salter & Doerksen.
However Marquardt, despite recent loses to Yushin Okami & Chael Sonnen, is definitely a big favourite here as Miller tends to struggle against fighters of his calibre, with previous defeats to Bisping, Maia & Sonnen.
This fight is a massive opportunity for Miller to move up the middleweight division, and the fact it has been put together a mere week before the scheduled event, has to be an advantage for the underdog.
Miller has never been one to shirk a challenge, and I expect a valiant effort from the Brazilian Jui-Jitsu black belt. However, Marquardt is a very powerful all-rounder with excellent ground-and-pound who is capable of grinding out decision victories, and I fully expect him to come away with the win.
Whilst this typically may not be an inspiring bout, both fighters will be eager to prove themselves and will want to put on a performance that will warrant serious recognition. I can't see Miller stealing this one as I believe Marquardt will prove to be too strong for the replacement fighter.
If you agree, you can back Nate "The Great" at 1/5 with Sky Bet, with Dan Miller being available at a big price of 3/1.
Top Tip: Marquardt to win by decision @ 13/8
Mirko "Cro Crop" Filipovic v Brendan"The Hybrid" Schaub
Comparisons in this fight, to some extent, can be made with the main event as again it is very much the old generation in "Cro Cop" against the new in Schuab.
"Cro Cop", renowned for his brutal head kicks, is very much a one dimensional fighter with his outstanding kick boxing skills. Like "Shogun", Mirko made his name fighting in Pride beating the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Heath Herring, Kevin Randleman & Mark Coleman but has come unstuck against a better class of fighter in UFC including Frank Mir, Junior Dos Santos, Gabriel Gonzaga & Antonio Nogueira.
"The Hybrid" has impressed since progressing through The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 losing in the final to the experienced former IFL fighter Roy Nelson, but since earning comprehensive victories over Gabriel Gonzaga & Chris Tuchscherer.
Schaub's is the more diverse fighter being able to fight both standing and on the mat. However, the sheer power in "Cro Cops" kicks and punches will pose a massive threat to the TUF finalist.
Despite Schaub being the 1/3 favourite in this one, it is actually a difficult one to call, and I believe this will be closer than the odds suggest, with a price of 9/4 for a "Cro Cop" win with Sky Bet.
Top Tip: Schaub to win by decision @ 11/4
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