Pros Pick: Jones vs. Rampage

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Elvis Sinosic: This is a fight I’m intrigued to see. I think Rampage has the skills to take it to Jones, but I also think Jones has the skills to be one of the all-time best. Since I’m on my honeymoon, I’ll keep it brief for once. Rampage needs to take it to Jones. He needs to get in close, use his boxing to punish Jones, pick him up, slam him down and then show us some of that old-fashioned ground-and-pound Rampage was once so well known for. Jones needs to mix it up. The fighters that do the best against Rampage are the ones that use a great mix of punches, kicks, knees, elbows and more. Jones has the skill set to do this. If he puts Rampage on his back, he’ll have a great advantage. If Rampage puts Jones on his back, we’ll all be watching closely to see what happens, as it’s a rare occurrence. Rampage has the skills and experience to win this fight. If his heart is in it, he is one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. If his game plan is spot on, he’ll be hard to stop. In the end, though, I’m picking Jones, as I think he has the wider skill set and the drive and determination to continue being champion. I think Jones wants to keep this more than Rampage wants to take it away from him.

Jason Dent: I can’t pick against Jones. He is so gifted athletically and is very technical, as well. I believe his knees, kicks and elbows will just be too much for Rampage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Rampage fan, and if you asked me who I want to win, it’s different then who I think is actually going to win.

Roan Carneiro: Jones will control the fight and win all the five rounds, getting a decision from the judges.

Tom Vaughn: I don’t see Rampage being able to keep up with the pace of this fight. Jones wins by TKO in round two.

Matt Hamilton: Jones is so damn explosive and unorthodox. He takes this one via TKO at about the same time he does all his fights -- whenever he decides to turn it on. That said, Rampage has that puncher’s chance, and I do love me some Rampage.

Ron Foster: Man, this is a super tough fight for Rampage. I’m not totally counting him out because he always has that one-punch KO power. The problem for Rampage is that he mostly won’t be able to get inside the long reach of Jones. Jones will remain on the outside early in the fight and blast Rampage with punches and kicks. If Rampage does manage to get inside, he will eat some big knees and elbows in the clinch before being taken down and pounded on. I’m a huge Jackson fan, but it’s just very hard to see him being able to figure out the riddle that Jones has become. Should be a great fight, but Jones will remain the champ, stopping Rampage in second or third round.

Keith Berry: Jones is, to me, like Anderson Silva at 205 pounds. I don’t see anyone touching him at 205. Rampage’s style will get dismantled, and Jones will remain the champ. I say TKO in round two.

Marlon Sandro: Rampage wins by KO in the first round. If he doesn’t, Jones wins on points.

Kultar Gill: Can’t wait to see this fight. The verbal warfare will be won by Rampage, but the fight will be controlled and finished in the third by Jones.

Soa Palelei: My prediction is Jones. Jones is an amazing athlete, and he’s got the longest wingspan in the light heavyweight division. Not only is he unpredictable, but he’s swift, fast and ridiculously dominant. Jones has the potential to be one of the greatest fighters of all-time. Rampage is an astonishing fighter and he is known for having a chin of steel, but Jones’ wrestling skills are outstanding and among the best in the game. He tends to take people down at will with excellent wrestling capabilities. Jones will keep Rampage at bay with his reach advantage and then land something ridiculous with a punch, knee, elbow or kick, or Jones may take Rampage to the ground and beat him. Spinning back elbows, spinning back kicks -- you’ll see it all from Jones. Rampage has been in there with some of the best ever. He has brutal strength. In terms of skill set, Jackson is an upper-echelon wrestler that you do not want on top of you pounding away. Furthermore, he’s a very good boxer with extreme power in his hands. If Rampage hits you with a hook, it’s probably sleepy time. He’s very experienced against top-flight competition, but I don’t think he can outwrestle Jones, nor can he keep up with Jones’ wingspan.

Joe Duarte: This is a bad style match for Rampage because Jones can use his reach and takedowns to mix it up. I want Rampage to win, but I think Jones is smart enough to take him down and beat on him. I’m calling Jones by TKO in round two.

Andre Amado: Jones will knock out Rampage. Jackson doesn’t move well and doesn’t defend himself against kicks. Jones will seek out the knockout, and he’ll get it late in the second round.

Tom Gavrilos: Rampage is in big trouble. He can’t get close enough to work his boxing, and if he does take Jones down, he will just pop right back up. Too much reach, too much athleticism. Expect a plethora of kicks from Jones, as well; bad matchup for Rampage all the way around.

Ray Elbe: Jones is going to be everyone’s choice, but I’ll never pick against Rampage. Rampage wins by hot mustard breath sometime in the second round.

Benji Radach: I’m gonna go with Quinton by TKO or KO. He has a hell of an opponent and knows it. I believe we will see the best of both.

Thiago Tavares: Jones wins by submission. He will use his powerful wrestling to take down Rampage, and he won’t risk himself on his feet.

Gegard Mousasi: Jones wins. He has more ways to win the fight. He has better kicks, knees, he’s a stronger boxer and striker and he has more skills. He has more ways to win.

Ben Rothwell: I like both guys, for sure, and I’m sure you hear this a lot when getting picks. Jones is on fire and Quinton is doing his whole Spygate thing, and he’s saying this and that, like Jones can’t smash a grape. I think by saying all that it’ll just give Quinton bad karma and it’ll probably be his demise. I know Quinton can get away with saying a lot of stuff, but I don’t know. Something doesn’t sound right with what’s in Quinton’s head, I guess. I think Jones is far more of a threat to him than he’s leading on.

Roli Delgado: Rampage doesn’t really move well and only boxes, so I’m going to pick Jones by referee stoppage at the beginning of round two.

Pros Picking Jones: 35
Pros Picking Rampage: 7
No Pick: 4

You can also contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19. Features editor Brian Knapp and Gleidson Venga contributed to this report.