The MMA-heavy month of September gets rolling this Saturday night when UFC 75 takes place in London, England. UFC 75: Champion vs Champion features a main event between Quinton Jackson, the current UFC Light Heavyweight champion, and Dan Henderson, the current Pride Welterweight and Middleweight champion. While the fight is being billed as a unification bout, in reality the fight is strictly for the UFC Light Heavyweight title. After the fight, the Pride 205 lb belt will be “retired” and only the UFC 205 lb belt will be active. Now that the details are out of the way, lets talk about this fight card.
Main Card
Quinton Jackson vs Dan Henderson - What a matchup. Man, I really hate trying to break down a fight like this; a fight that is more-or-less evenly split down the middle. Dan Henderson is making his return to the UFC after winning the UFC 17 middleweight tournament defeating both Allen Goes and Carlos Newton on the same night by decision. Since then, Henderson pretty much had his way with opponents in PrideFC ultimately ending his PrideFC career holding both the Pride welterweight (185lb) and middleweight (205lb) titles.
Quinton Jackson also enjoyed great success in PrideFC before joining the UFC and taking the UFC light heavyweight belt from Chuck Liddell at UFC 71. Since teaming up with trainer Juanito Ibarra, the improvements in Jackson’s stiking and mental preparation of obvious. What we haven’t had a chance to see since Rampage’s entrance in the UFC is how his ground game might have improved. That could be a big factor in this fight as Dan Henderson brings his olympic wrestling credentials into the cage. Henderson has heavy hands much like Jackson and at times has relied too much on his overhand right punch as a weapon; but should Henderson start to feel like he is not getting the best of Jackson on the feet he can always fall back on his ground game and bring the fight to the match. Ultimately, I think that fear of being taken down will keep Jackson a little more hesitant on the feet than he was against Jackson and will prove to be the difference in this fight. Winner: Dan Henderson
Matt Hamill Vs. Michael Bisping - To me, this fight seems like a completely laughable mismatch. Matt Hamill is not (at least at this point in his career) a good MMA fighter. Matt Hamill is a good wrestler who brings no other skills to the octagon. Michael Bisping is an excellent MMA fighter with a very bright future in the UFC. It seems that the UFC is trying to hype up some kind of grudge match between these two guys since they were never able to fight on their season of The Ultimate Fighter due to an arm injury Hamill suffered. Whether or not there really is the proverbial “bad blood” between Hamill and Bisping is debateable, but the outcome of this fight is not. Bisping takes this fight without much of an effort. Winner: Michael Bisping
Mirko Filipovic Vs. Cheick Kongo - I feel bad for Cheick Kongo. Not many people look forward to getting into the cage with Mirko Cro Cop and even fewer would want to in Cro Cop’s first fight back after his embarrassing loss to Gabriel Gonzaga. We know that Kongo has a good standup game and an absolutely non-existent ground game. Mirko, of course, feels much more comfortable keeping the fight on the feet where he can track his opponent down and land his precision strikes and high kicks. This fight will be a good challenge for Kongo as Filipovic is a huge step up incompetition from Christian Wellisch, Gilbert Aldana (RIP), and Assuerio Silva. I think Mirko will be on target and focused for this fight and pick Kongo apart from the start. Most likely this fight will go into the second round, since I don’t see Cro Cop being willing to take any risks in the first round and trying to get his feet back. Once it hits the second round, look for huge Frenchman to hit the ground much like Mirko did against Gonzaga. Winner: Mirko Filipovic
Marcus Davis Vs. Paul Taylor - This fight is very intriguing to me and I’m looking forward to it. Marcus Davis is going to look to grab another quick first round victory but I think Paul Taylor has the experience needed to be able to counter Davis’ strikes and take the match to the ground. Taylor can beat you with both strikes and submissions, and Marcus Davis has proven that he can do the same. I’m really up in the air on this fight but I’m going to pick Davis. Winner: Marcus Davis
Houston Alexander Vs. Alessio Sakara - With his brutal knockout victory over Keith Jardine at UFC 71, the Houston Alexander bandwagon has blown up faster than nearly any other UFC rookie. There is no denying Alexander’s hand speed and punching power; what is not known is how good his ground game is and if he can compete in the clinch. Alessio Sakara brings UFC experience to this matchup but not much else by way of compelling fighting skills. Sakara will be willing to stand and strike with Alexander and that is exactly what the UFC is looking for. I’ve got a good feeling that Alexander will win this fight, but I hope he is tested more than he was against Jardine. Winner: Houston Alexander
Undercard
Gleison Tibau Vs. Terry Etim - Winner: Terry Etim
Tomasz Drwal Vs. Thiago Silva - Winner: Thiago Silva
Naoyuki Kotani Vs. Dennis Siver - Winner: Dennis Siver
Anthony Torres Vs. Jess Liaudin - Winner: Jess Liaudin
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I agree with all of your picks except the main event. I believe that Jackson is going frustrate Dan on the feet and I believe Dan will resort to his wrestling. Here is where I disagree with you. I believe Jackson will over power Dan and out wrestle him and you will see at least one great slam by Rampage. I see this fight resembling Jackson’s fight with Lindland. The extra pounds that Dan is trying to pack on to get above 200lbs. will ultimately slow him down and drain his energy under the constant pressure of Jackson’s strength. Winner by decision: Jackson
I have to take Hendo in the main event also. He has great strategy when he wants to and I believe he is very determined for this fight. I think Jacksons size and strength with give him problems but I still think he will prevail. Mirko is going to be on a mission especially after having to watch himself get KO’d for the last few weeks leading up to UFC 74. I see Bisping winning rather easily also. This should be a good card and the best thing is it’s free.
[...] has a radio interview with Dan Henderson. Dr. J has a UFC 75 preview. So does Denny Burkholder over at CBS Sportsline. Jake Rossen tries to come up with reasons as to [...]
hendo came in at 200 lbs at the fight with wandy i think or maybe 195 so i dont thin hes packing on the pounds he needs his speed ,i dont agree with bisbing i think this fight is whats going to win our bets
I tell you guys… feel sorry for Congo…. Mirko is going to rip him apart… oh and Bisping vs Hamil, I will say Bisping, but I think Bisping is getting rather cocky and over confident after being in so many ‘gimme’s” so I am going to say the Matt could give him a little trouble in the 1st, but yeah Bisping will win ultimately…
Dan Henderson vs Rampage Jackson… wow… this is unpredictable in most point because they have never fought each other, but Rampage has sucked against major opponents in the past with good stand up besides Chuck, like Wanderlei, and Shogun, so I am going with Dan Henderson, although i agree that the weight gain could pose issues, however Dan Henderson was at 205 6 months ago fighting Wand so I don’t seeing it being a big deal because he has been at that weight for at least 8 months now … he is used to training at that weight…
well here we go again. i dont even want to pick the Jackson vs. Henderson fight its way to hard to pick the guy i really “believe” will win. so im just stick with my first though…. i think Rampage will wear out Henderson in 3 or 4 rounds by frustrating him, making dan work to hard to try and win. somewhere in the 3rd or 4th round Rampage will get the takedown and g’n'p till the ref jumps in.
I thought Hendo weighed in at 199lbs. against Wandi?
@Ozzy
Well if you want to get super technical down to the very pound the “official results” were:
Wand - 205
Hendo - 200
Hendo has been at that weight for over 8 months.. a five pound gain over 4 months is not hard….
If you guys watched the weigh in then you saw it yourselves, Jackson’s got NOTHING on Dan Henderson… muscle wise or anything else… Hendo looked cut, hard, strong, and he came in at 204… so yeah he jumped a measly 4 pounds, it won’t hurt his game one bit….
[quote comment="9533"]If you guys watched the weigh in then you saw it yourselves, Jackson’s got NOTHING on Dan Henderson… muscle wise or anything else… Hendo looked cut, hard, strong, and he came in at 204… so yeah he jumped a measly 4 pounds, it won’t hurt his game one bit….[/quote]
i wouldnt say Dan looks that much better then Jackson. Rampage is still bigger then Hendo but he is looking a bit soft. im still sticking with my pick, i dont think being a bit soft hurts a fighter that much just ask Fedor lol.
Like i said before guys, Hendo has the strongest hips in mma period. Ofcourse this is a dangerous fight for both guys, they both have that 1 punch KO, theyre both well rounded fighters and tough as nails!
Im betting on Hendo but its a coin flip man, this should be one of the best fights in a long time. I see this being a str8 war! decision for Hendo ultimately because really, we have still yet to see how Rampages gastank is these days. The first round KO of Chuck didnt demonstrate that, and i personally think he will gas in the later rounds. If you look at their fighting styles, Rampages style is more tiring, especially if he starts going for slams and such. He cant KO Dan with a slam, and it will probably take a bigger toll on Rampages stamina than on Dans body.
Honestly, i would rather Rampage won, cuz what can you say, hes a pimp! hehe and i think more marketable than Dan, but i think the smart money is on Hendo.
[quote comment="9534"][quote comment="9533"]If you guys watched the weigh in then you saw it yourselves, Jackson’s got NOTHING on Dan Henderson… muscle wise or anything else… Hendo looked cut, hard, strong, and he came in at 204… so yeah he jumped a measly 4 pounds, it won’t hurt his game one bit….[/quote]
i wouldnt say Dan looks that much better then Jackson. Rampage is still bigger then Hendo but he is looking a bit soft. im still sticking with my pick, i dont think being a bit soft hurts a fighter that much just ask Fedor lol.[/quote]
Never said Hendo was stronger RJ……. just said Rampage has nothing on him… well maybe an inch in height.. they both look good…. ready… its time to go to are AMIGOS!
[quote comment="9536"]
Never said Hendo was stronger RJ……. just said Rampage has nothing on him… well maybe an inch in height.. they both look good…. ready… its time to go to are AMIGOS![/quote]
i wasnt saying anyone was stronger then the other i was just talking about there shape. i do think Rampage is stronger but like B.V. is saying that could work against him if he trys to man handle Henderson he WILL get tired, im sure Hendo is in great shape so it would probably be a bad idea for Rampage to make it wrestling match.
@RJ
Yep….> WELL BOYS IT GO TIME TONIGHT! WHOOOOO!
SPOILER—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
How bout that night of fights guys? besides the fact that i missed almost ALL my picks lol, it was great!
Much respect to Marcus Davis, wow! that guy has really rounded out his game, after getting hurt and coming back to win by armbar!
Also Houston Alexander, I doubted him after his win against Jardine, but he came through like a champ tonight and layed another serious azzz beating on his opponent. Is he the next Sokudjou? hehe
Mirko started the first round walking him down like the terminator man, it seemed to me like he had lost some confidence and was almost faking it by moving forward like he was. By the 2nd round the false confidence was shatterd and he was backing up from Kongo. You gotta give it to Kongo man, great performance, he must have been in the best condition of his life tonight.
I picked Bisping to win, but i think it was a very close fight and the decision could have gone either way, i agree with Rogans suggestion that he drop down to 185 though. Especially considering all the new talent in the 205 division, you wanna stay competative.
Rampage vs Hendo was a str8 dogfight! back and forth, up and down, this was a very technical fight! Rampage proved me wrong tonight, he actually had more stamina than Henderson AND he outwrestled Dan! Great job by both guys, Dan will be more successful at 185.
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DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DONT WANNA KNOW THE RESULTS OF UFC 75***************************************************
man that was a good fight. i almost though Rampage was going to finish the 4th like i was predicting. and what the hell was with Cro Cop, what he threw like 5 punches and 3 kicks the whole fight…crazy! anyways good card i thought.
p.s. Alexander looked awesome again i hope he keeps it up because hes fun to watch.
Okay..first of the Hamil Bisping fight was NOT close so stop with the bullshite right now!…. Hamil won that fight clearly.. take down after take down…. he had Bispings eyes, both of them cut in the first round, and landed more hard blows 2 of 3 rounds… the only round that was even close was the 3rd… total rip, and a clear picture that Dana is def. promoting the UFC in the UK by making good and sure that his boy from the UK doesn’t lose in the UK….
[quote comment="9541"]Okay..first of the Hamil Bisping fight was NOT close so stop with the bullshite right now!…. Hamil won that fight clearly.. take down after take down…. he had Bispings eyes, both of them cut in the first round, and landed more hard blows 2 of 3 rounds… the only round that was even close was the 3rd… total rip, and a clear picture that Dana is def. promoting the UFC in the UK by making good and sure that his boy from the UK doesn’t lose in the UK….[/quote]
i do think you have a point. i cant say Hamill clearly won, it was kinda close but i would have given it to Hamill he had good stand up and a whole bunch of takedowns. but like i said to my buddy if its close at all the will hand it to Bisping because hes the home town boy and the UFC needs him for there U.K. push.
the only matches i put money on i lost fu*ck
haha i was kind of back and forth from the tv during that fight, it looked to me like Hamil was winning too, but i didnt want to say that till ive watched it a few more times :). Seeing how Kansas feels and you pretty much agree too RJ, i think its safe to say it was definately a questionable decision.
You guys are right too, it WAS in london and that IS a factor.. hmmm.. if i remember correctly Franklin is fighting in cincinatti against Silva heheh.. you gotta love the home court advantage.
Im gonna watch it again today and pay close attention, but anyways, even if Hamil did do a good job, you cant leave it in the hands of the judges right? tough break for the matt..
I think Hamils standup game still looked very rigid like he was uncomfortable standing . Jus throwing out the occasional jab or the slow motion straight right hand.
I forgot to make the money bets on this event.. probably better for me, cuz i probably would have bet on Henderson and crocop hehe..
man i only got like 170 dollars left
whats your name on there richard?
bola14
@DRJ
With regard to Hamill/Bisping.. you said it best.. Highway robbery, and you guys can check the threads, I was betting on BISPING.. before this fight I couldn’t stand Hamill, you can see I called him names and shot him down as a whiny baby… he showed he has balls in this fight, and he has the skill needed to begin a career in the UFC.. hats off to the man.. but Bisping was more into the lights, and the London crowd, and talking shite from start to finish… what a disappointment, he should of at least been a little humble in that cracker jack decision.. MAN THAT GUY COULDN’T SHUT UP.. and did you see that flaccid body he came into the fight with, he totally didn’t look prepared..
[quote comment="9553"]@DRJ
With regard to Hamill/Bisping.. you said it best.. Highway robbery, and you guys can check the threads, I was betting on BISPING.. before this fight I couldn’t stand Hamill, you can see I called him names and shot him down as a whiny baby…[/quote]
yeah i was think the same sh*t. i really DONT like Hamill and i DO like Bisping, but that judgment was a joke any other time i would say good for Bisping a win is a win so take it. this one i kinda feel bad for Hamill he did a lot better in that fight then i thought he was able to do and he still got burned.