UFC 123 – Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida Prediction

QUINTON JACKSON vs. LYOTO MACHIDA
Fight Overview:  Two former Light Heavyweight champions try to rebound from losses and put themselves back in the title picture.  With a lack of clear-cut title contenders at Light Heavyweight outside of Rashad Evans, one big win here could put either of these two right back in the mix.

Machida’s Strengths:
 Machida has excellent striking with both his hands and feet, great standup defense, and very underrated submissions.
Machida’s Weaknesses:  He has shown then he can be knocked out with one big punch, which Rampage is capable of delivering, and he doesn’t have much in the way of wrestling.
Rampage’s Strengths:  He has very heavy hands, great takedown defense, great submission defense, good dirty boxing in the clinch, and a solid chin.
Rampage’s Weaknesses:  He tends to ignore his offensive wrestling and he is giving up a sizable advantage in technique to Machida in the standup.
The Verdict:  While Rampage definitely has the tools to win this fight, his tendency to stand and trade shots is going to come back to bite him in this one.  On the feet Machida’s speed and accuracy are a perfect counter to Rampage’s huge bombs, and Machida’s superior speed and movement will frustrate Rampage, allowing him to counterpunch effectively and earn the decision.
Fight Prediction:  Lyoto Machida by Unanimous Decision.
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