TOM Previews UFC 114

By Kevin Borges, MMA Editor, TheOpenMat.com

I’ll admit it, when it comes to MMA, I’m almost always buying what the UFC is selling, and why not? Above all else MMA is something I enjoy, whatever it takes to get me excited about a fight is good enough for me. Even if I know that underneath the surface the hype is manufactured, I’m willing to go along for the ride because most of the time it’s a pretty thrilling ride. And lets face it, a little manufactured trash talking is still more exciting than two guys hugging at the weigh-ins. This deal that Zuffa and I struck all those years ago had worked quite well, until I took my first look at the UFC 114 card. It was missing some of the points of interest that I had grown to count on. It had no title fight, the original co-main event was scratched due to injury and the replacement co-main event lacked a marketable star.

The UFC was trying to sell me on the main event bout between “Sugar” Rashad Evans (14-1-1), and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (30-7-0). Following their tumultuous season as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter Season 10”, Rampage backed out of their scheduled fight and, “retired”, in order to pursue his dream of acting. One remake of, “The A-Team”, later and he is back to utilize a set of talents far greater than those he displays in front of the camera. Of course no amount of movies would quell the hatred that the two have for each other and now they will step into the cage to settle their differences. The only problem with this sales pitch is that I’ve heard it before. Truth be told, I can’t remember the last UFC card that didn’t feature two people who didn’t like each other and were willing to express their feelings with words prior to fight night. Moving beyond the, “these guys really don’t like each other”, storyline, this really is an exciting bout with huge implications.

Both Rampage and Evans are widely considered to be in the upper echelon of their division and have recently possessed the belt. Barring any sort of injury that would greatly postpone their next fight, the winner of this fight will get a chance to fight the recently crowned Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for the Light Heavyweight Championship. Rampage comes into the fight riding a two fight win streak following his close decision loss to Forrest Griffin in July of 08’ in which he lost the championship. Evans enters the bout coming off of an uninspiring win against Thiago Alves. Prior to his fight with Alves, Evans suffered his first professional loss at the hands of the recently dethroned Lyoto Machida in May of 09’. The fight itself will most likely come down to preparation since the fighters have very similar styles. They both come from a wrestling background however recently they have utilized their striking skills forgoing the ground game even against accomplished strikers such as Wanderlei Silva and Chuck Liddell.

Striking Advantage – Rampage – Evans may have slightly faster hands but Rampage has superior strength. Even inside the clinch, a position that may be used extensively in this fight, Rampage has the ability to deliver crushing blows.

Wrestling Advantage – Evans – Early on in his career, Evans would rely heavily on his wrestling skill to take the fight to the ground and win rounds. Rampage has relied on strength over technique in the past but it is unlikely that he will be able to take Evans down and hold him there.

Jiu Jitsu Advantage – Draw – Although Evans does hold a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu it is widely believed that it was given to him in order for him to be able to compete in black belt only tournaments. Neither fighter looks for submissions save for a last resort.

Game Plan Advantage – Evans – Greg Jackson will be cornering Evans for this bout as he has done in the past. Greg Jackson is a masterful tactician that is not only capable of finding weaknesses prior to the fight, but can spot openings throughout the fight.

Conditioning Advantage – Rampage – Rampage’s strength and conditioning coach is Mike Dolce. With Dolce’s assistance, Rampage has done away with the days of fatiguing during the fights. Dolce is also extremely well adept at helping fighters cut weight effectively without losing stamina.

TOM’s Pick: Rampage will push the action early and often forcing clinches against the cage utilizing dirty boxing. Evans will steal the first couple rounds by securing a takedown in each but will not be able to hold down Rampage. In the third round, Rampage will drop Evans and follow him to the ground for the TKO victory.

Rampage via TKO 3rd Round

UFC 114 was intended to have one of the most intriguing co-main events in recent memory. Forrest Griffin was to face off with Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira, that is until he was forced to drop out of the fight due to a shoulder injury. Instead of fighting a former champion and fan favorite in Griffin, “lil Nog”, as he is affectionately known by his fans, will face off with little known Jason Brilz. If ever there was a fight of opposites, this would be it. Brilz walks into this fight a relative unknown, having amassed a record of (18-2-1), his most notable fight was his victory in March over Eric Schafer. “Minotoro” has amassed a similar record of (18-3), yet his fights have been against some of the most notable fighters in MMA including wins against Dan Henderson, Alistair Overeem twice, Sakuraba and a close decision loss to current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Brilz comes from a wrestling background having competed for the University of Nebraska Omaha. “Minotoro” is renowned as one of the best Light Heavyweight jiu jitsu practitioners as well as a proficient striker. The most important difference between these two fighters is what they have to lose. After dismantling Luis Cane in his UFC debut, “Minotoro” seemed poised for a run at the Light Heavyweight belt, a loss to Brilz would devastate those plans. Brilz on the other hand has nothing to lose. A loss to one of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history means nothing, a win, or even an impressive loss could do wonders to a career that thus far has been relegated to the UFC’s under card.

Striking Advantage – “Minotoro” – Adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, “Minotoro” most recently placed third in the Pan American Games in 2007 in boxing. Prior to that he won the South American Championship in 2006.

Wrestling Advantage – Brilz – While attending the University of Nebraska Omaha, Brilz was a three time Academic All American. He now trains at Elite Performance in Omaha with notable wrestlers Jake Ellenberger and Ryan Jensen.

Jiu Jitsu Advantage – “Minotoro” – The Nogueira brothers are two of the most sought after
fighters when someone is looking to advance their jiu jitsu for MMA. “Minotoro” holds a submission win over highly touted wrestler Dan Henderson.

Game Plan Advantage – “Minotoro” – It isn’t too difficult to set a game plan when you have as many tools at your disposal as “lil Nog” does. What makes that task even easier is that Brilz can only have two possible game plans, either throw bombs on the feet and hope to not get caught by the superior striker, or take him down and risk getting caught in his jiu jitsu web.

Conditioning Advantage – Draw – Brilz has shown the ability to not only take the fight into the late rounds but remain effective in those rounds as well in losses as well as in wins. “Minotoro” is no stranger himself to the late rounds as he has been there many times with elite competitors.

TOM’s Pick: Tip your hat to Jason Brilz, it takes a lot of guts to walk into a fight in which you realize that you are out of your league. Unfortunately guts doesn’t win fights, skill does. Brilz won’t look for the takedown right away instead opting to trade with “Minotoro”, this plan won’t last all that long though. After getting rocked, Brilz will look for a desperation takedown but will be shucked off. The more experienced “Minotoro” will swarm with punches for the win in the first frame.

“Minotoro” via TKO 1st Round