Written by Scott Swerbinsky

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Live from Newark, New Jersey, The Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on its latest pay per view card. It takes a lot for me to criticize some the fight cards and I have a hard time doing so but the last few events have been average at best and that’s being very friendly.

UFC 128 has a few of my personal favorite fighters and that has me ready for some octagon action this evening. Let’s take a look at a few of the fights that will take place live from the Prudential Center.

Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs Jon “Bones” Jones

 

If you were a casual fan and just read a few articles or maybe even glanced at the betting line, you would think Jones is the superior fighter and current champion.

 

Jones has been fighting mixed martial arts for three years and hasn’t fought a legitimate title contender since entering the sport. He’s a 23 year old guy who’s flashy and unorthodox in many ways. People love this guy and rightfully so. He’s fun to watch and has an exciting style that we really haven’t seen before. That all being said, I don’t see any way he should be considered the favorite in this fight.

“Shogun” Rua has been considered one of the best pound for pound fighter for years. He has had a few ups and downs that were related to injuries and time off.  Shogun has fought the best of the best and come out on top a lot more than not. At age 29, he is still in the prime of his fighting career.

Both fighters are extremely well rounded and I give a wrestling advantage to Jones. That’s it. I see Rua as being better everywhere else.  Jones is solid but I feel he may be being thrown into this title fight sooner than he deserves. The UFC knows what they’re doing and there is a ton of hype surrounding Jones right now so they are taking full advantage of it. I just don’t see Jones winning. I’ve been wrong many times before and that’s why the fights are decided in the cage.

Urijah Faber vs Eddie Wineland

Two former WEC champs going toe to toe in what see be a fast paced entertaining matchup. This is Faber’s second fight at 135 pounds, a weight where Wineland used to be the title holder.

Faber is one of the most liked and respected fighters in the game and he should be. His record of 24-4 speaks for itself. Urijah is also one of the classiest guys outside of the cage you will ever see. He loves the sport and the fans and that has brought him to the upper echelon of fighters.

If Wineland can keep this fight standing, he will have the proverbial puncher’s chance. He has solid power in both hands and will be at a disadvantage everywhere else. Faber is too skilled and has champion Dominick Cruz is his sights.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Vs Brendan Schaub

A legend in Cro Cop takes on a young and hungry up and comer in Schaub. This one has the makings of a fireworks display. Two heavy handed fighters that want to trade and throw punches and kicks and don’t want to get taken down.  I’m guessing this one won’t end in a submission. I’ll go out on a limb and say the winner of this fight will take home the knockout of the night bonus.

If Cro Cop can win this fight he gets himself back into title contention. A loss and he can kiss that dream goodbye. On the other hand, Schaub can prove he is for real by beating a guy who has been in with the best and looked much better recently. My pick is with experience here. I like Cro Cop with my head but would like to see Schaub het the win. It could be a very interesting fight.

Full fight card:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

 

Champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Jon Jones (for light-heavyweight title)

Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland

Jim Miller vs. Kamal Shalorus

Nate Marquardt vs. Dan Miller

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Brendan Schaub

 

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

 

Luiz Cane vs. Eliot Marshall

Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani

 

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

 

Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Gleison Tibau

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland

Raphael Assuncao vs. Erik Koch

 

Nick Catone vs. Costantinos Philippou

Damn. That is a lot of very high quality fights on one card. I know I have said this probably 127 times before but this has the makings of a awesome night of fights. I’m not going to miss one single fight, and you shouldn’t either.