WKR Staff Picks for Rampage vs. Rashad and UFC 114

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Rashad Evans

Nick Becker: I refuse to buy into the Rashad hype. From where I stand, the biggest questions coming into this fight aren't Rampage's commitment to training or his ring rust, they concern Rashad's chin. While I'm not suggesting his chin is as brittle as Jardine's, the fact remains that Thiago Silva had him badly rocked at UFC 108 and would've finished if he hadn't forgotten how to fight. Look for both men to be slow to engage during a tentative first round before Rampage turns up the pressure in the second. All it's gonna take is one solid shot from Rampage to put Rashad in trouble and from there it'll be all over. Rampage by TKO, Round 2.

Zach Krantz: I go back and forth with this one and I feel that conventional wisdom will not apply on Saturday.  If Rashad uses his wrestling I think he can take a decision.  If the fight goes the distance Rashad's speed will win help him out point Rampage.  However, Rampage can end the fight quickly and Rashad's chin is far from granite.  I go back and forth so by the time this posts I will have changed my mind, but for now I'll take Rashad via unanimous decision.

David St. Martin: I'm a very strong believer in looking into a fighter's personal life when picking fights.  Chaotic circumstances can severely affect someone's preparation, and I just don't think Rampage has put everything he has into this fight.  From the long layoff, to shooting a summer movie, to promoting it, it's easy to imagine the corners that were cut as far as his training camp went.  Do I think Rampage is a better fighter? Absolutely. Do I think Rashad working his ass off, having better sparring partners, better trainers, and being pretty talented himself can beat a malcontent like Rampage? No question about it.  As Zach said, Rashad is going to use his speed to simply survive and outpoint Jackson, because if not, he's going to sleep.  It pains me to say, but I have to go with Rashad on this one. Evans via Decision.

Zak Woods: Nick's supreme confidence yesterday on the podcast convinced me of the merits of picking Rampage. Then I slept on it and remembered that Rampage is probably not in that good of shape and his camp is Wolfslair -- Ugh! Oh well, when in doubt trust someone else. This one is on you Nick. Rampage via TKO Round 1.

SBN coverage of UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans

Michael Bisping vs. Dan Miller

Nick Becker: Miller just hasn't seemed like the same guy who ran through competition in the IFL and rattled off three straight wins when he initially entered the Octagon. I'll never be a member of the Bisping bandwagon, but he definitely has some confidence coming into this bout after his solid showing against Wanderlei. I think Bisping's too savvy to get caught in a submission and on the feet I have to give him a slight edge. I think Bisping will be just aggressive enough to get the nod, but this one could go either way. Bisping by Split Decision in the Fight of the Night.

Zach Krantz: I know Griffin got hurt, but this fight is proof that the UFC knows Rampage and Rashad alone will sell the card.  A combined 1-4 in their last five fights this is more a fight to stay relevant in the division than anything else.  Miller has looked very unimpressive in his last two and I do not see him finishing The Count.  Bisping via unanimous decision.

David St. Martin: I cant stand Bisping, but I have to pick him in this fight.  Again, looking into some chaotic recent happenings in the personal life of Dan Miller is more than enough to persuade me.  I'm hoping Miller can eek out a decision victory, but I think Bisping will end up landing more, on the way to a decision victory. Bisping doesn't really gain anything from this win, and actually probably has much more to lose if he doesn't have a good showing.  Bisping via Decision.

Zak Woods: What time is it? MILLER TIME!

This is my "hater pick". Dan Miller by split decision victory.

Todd Duffee vs. Mike Russow

Nick Becker: Here's everything you need to know about this fight: Russow's best win is abysmal decision over Justin McCully, while Duffee's last fight saw him record the fastest KO in UFC history. Duffee via TKO, Round 1.

Zak Woods: Duffman's party days are over. Now, it's just kicking ass -- Oh Yeah! Duffman via TKO, Round 2.

Zach Krantz: Duffee's comments about his over-hyped stock and Russow's underrated stock might have people swaying toward Russow, but Duffee is the clear favorite and for good reason.  His striking is far superior and that is where the fight starts.  However, Russow is a Chicago boy and one of Chicago's finest so I am completely and without question bias.  Being completely blinded for my hometown boy I predict the fight heads to the mat and Russow wins via submission in Round 2.

David St. Martin:  TODDDUUFEEEE! He's ripped at 265lbs.  What can I say? I've seen 7 seconds of footage on him. Duffee via Old Spice Commercial. P-P-P-Power

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Jason Brilz

Nick Becker: This is stupid. Nogueira by Common Sense.

Zach Krantz: Come on...Come on.  If anyone picks Brilz they are trying to be different or maybe think it will be closer than most expect, but we all know who is winning this.  Nogueira via KO.

David St. Martin:  Brilz seems like he has a really terrific attitude about this fight.  He seems like he knows something no one else does, almost Matt Serra-esq.  That being said he's going to get absolutely murdered Saturday night. Nogueira via KO.

Zak Woods:Every test has one gimme question so you can't get a "0". Nogueira vs. Brilz is our gimme pick. Rogerio via KO.

Diego Sanchez vs. John Hathaway

Nick Becker: Diego should be facing top contenders and not wasting his time with bouts like this. Look for this fight to turn into Sanchez-Bielkheden II. In other words, a slaughter. Sanchez via TKO, Round 1.

Zach Krantz: Come on...Come on.  Wait I just wrote that.  Whatever, same thing here.  I know people have this fight closer, but until an English export beats a top wrestler I refuse to believe.  Sanchez wins with the best gambling odds of the night.

David St. Martin:  John Hathaway is 12-0, but he's also British, so I'm at a loss.  I think this is just Diego's 'welcome back to solid food' fight.  Something to get him back into the swing of things at welterweight.  On the other hand, if Sanchez has a poor showing against this guy, he will toil in the lower percentiles of that division for the foreseeable future.  Sanchez via TKO.   

Zak Woods: Diego won't need the power of the YES! Cartwheel for this fight and if he does then he has bigger shit to worry about then looking goofy. That being said I think the jump back to 170lbs. will not be as smooth as everyone else thinks. Diego via unanimous decision 29-28.

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Amir Sadollah

Nick Becker: I'm inclined to believe that Sadollah is hitting his stride while Kim has been unimpressive despite being undefeated in his UFC career thus far. I suspect that ring rust might play a factor for Kim and while his solid judo skills will keep him in the fight, I see Sadollah ultimately outworking him over the course of fifteen very long minutes. Sadollah via Unanimous Decision.

Zach Krantz: Very close fight between two over valued fighters (in my opinion).  I think with Amir's versatile striking he can prevent Kim from closing the distance.  We are left with two accurate, but not powerful strikers which will lead to a decision victory for Amir.

David St. Martin:  This is the kind of fight that really does nothing for either fighter.  While both guys are still up and coming, neither has a big enough name to really propel the winner upward after this fight.  Amir won a TUF show, but he still has a lot to prove.  I like Kim in this fight.  He's going to slow the pace with his Judo and frustrate Sadollah in the clinch.  Kim via Decision.

Zak Woods: Stun Gun!

Efrain Escudero vs. Dan Lauzon

Nick Becker: Hmmm, this is a tough one... Do I go with the guy who's been training like a madman (allegedly), or do I go with the guy who hasn't been training at all (allegedly)? Escudero by Submission (of the Night), Round 2.

David St. Martin:  I've already talked about Dan Lauzon's reported troubles at length so I'll just leave you with this: Dan's never made it out of the first round in the UFC. Escudero via Submission Round 1.

Zach Krantz: We all know the recent Lauzon issues so I will agree with everyone else.  Efrain by submission or decision, I cannot decide.

Zak Woods: Efrain Escudero via submission.

Melvin Guillard vs. Waylon Lowe

Nick Becker: Lowe is KO fodder for Guillard. Guillard via KO (of the Night), Round 1.

Zach Krantz: Honestly I have not seen Waylon Lowe fight, so I should probably not pick (or do not listen to me) on this fight. That being said, Guillard via TKO.

Zak Woods: The second I start believing in Melvin Guillard it is going to blow up in my face. Oh what the hell -- Guillard via TKO Round 2.

Cyrille Diabate vs. Luiz Cane

Nick Becker: I really like Diabate. Too bad Joe Silva doesn't. Cane via TKO, Round 2.

Zach Krantz: Main card against a Nogueira to undercard against a UFC newcomer, ouch.  Granted Diabate has fought top competition in the past, but he lost those fights.  Cane via TKO.

Zak Woods: Cyrille has a pretty sweet name but Cane is going to rebound here. That or his KO loss to Rogerio will have scarred him for life... Cane via TKO.

Aaron Riley vs. Joe Brammer

Nick Becker: In the obligatory "Loser Leaves UFC" match, I've got Riley pulling out the win. Riley via Unanimous Decision.

Zach Krantz: Riley is far from a stud, but he is a solid veteran and that should be enough.  Riley wins via submission in Round 1.

David St. Martin:  Aaron Riley is one of those guys I could watch fight on every card. Whether he's getting his jaw broken, or losing a spirited effort, he always brings it. He's the classic wiley veteran who could always surprise you.  Riley via Decision.

Zak Woods: Riley via Unanimous Decision.

Ryan Jensen vs. Jeese Forbes

Nick Becker: I'm not quite sure why Jensen is still in the UFC after compiling a 1-5 Octagon record; however, he does have one more win in the big leagues than Forbes does. While "Kid Hercules" looked strong in a losing effort at UFN 20 against Nick Catone and has shown tremendous improvement in the years since his first Octagon stint, he has done it against subpar competition. Ultimately, I see Jensen winning and sending Forbes back to something called Wild Bill's Fight Night. Jensen by TKO, Round 2.

Zach Krantz: Both men can whoop my ass with their eyes closed, but both fighters look like they cannot hang at this level and the loser will be cut.  Take your pick, I'll go Forbes.

David St. Martin: How dare you talk about Wild Bill's like that, Nick.  That place is an institution of up and coming crappy fighters.  This is pretty much a throw away fight where, yes, the loser will be booted.  I'm going with Jensen simply because Forbes has yet to live up to any of the hype when he first showed up at TUF a few years back.  Jensen via TKO.