The main tripleheader of one of the greatest UFC events in recent history -- at least on paper -- is the third installment of the
Wanderlei Silva-
Quinton Jackson trilogy. Having already beaten “Rampage” twice in the now-defunct Pride organization, “The Axe Murderer” is trying to extend his winning streak to two, and in the process, land a shot at the world champion at 205 pounds.
Sherdog.com asked dozens of professional fighters and trainers who they think will win. Which of the pros have the inside track and will predict the fight the most accurately? Read on and find out.
Well, Wanderlei has won convincingly twice, so I gotta go with him versus Rampage.
(Groans) That’s a tough one. See, it’s in a cage and not a ring so things change just a little bit. But the matchup in styles just favors Wanderlei. He’s so into the pocket and swinging for the fences. Rampage likes to stay in the pocket as well so I think it might just go down the same way as the other two have and with Wanderlei knocking out Rampage with either knees or punches.
I think it’s time for Rampage to win this. The third time’s the charm for Rampage. He’s going to come out with a good plan, he’s going to execute it and the rules of the UFC are going to compliment him a little better if he goes in there with a good plan.
Some matchups will always have the same outcome. Wandy just
has Q's number. The fact that Rampage refuses to work on his muay Thai
doesn't help him.
Got to go with Wanderlei. He already knocked him out twice.
Rampage by decision.
Rampage by left hook.
Rampage (by) decision.
I think that the vicious KO Silva gave Rampage last
time has got to be in the back of Rampage's mind. This may cause
Rampage to be more tentative than usual. A tentative Rampage is a less
dangerous Rampage. Silva via KO.
Photo by Sherdog.com
Most of the pros think
Silva will continue
to have Jackson's number.
Silva uses a scary staredown to clinch Rampage, knee his
face up and win the decision.
I think a more focused and determined Rampage beats Silva.
I think he's the more talented of the two that just happened to drop
the first two fights. We all know the more talented guy won't always
win in an MMA fight. But since Rampage lost the prior meetings,
hopefully he worked on why he's lost and will make it different this
time. I say Rampage by decision.
Tough pick. Before I saw the Griffin fight I would have
said Rampage but we will have to see how he performs changing camps
before such a tough fight.
That is a tough one to pick. Both guys are so tough.
My prediction is a back and forth war that could go either way.
Silva by knockout in round one.
Silva by KO late in the second round.
I believe there are several questions surrounding
Rampage right now (and) most importantly his training situation with
the change in camp and head trainer. I think the W goes to Wanderlei
but don't blink in this one either way.
Silva. I met him and he is a nice guy.
Rampage by pure brutal aggression. As Quinton's personal
nutritionist I have to admit my bias, but when he steps on the scale
Dec. 26 and stares right through the eyes of
Wanderlei Silva,
you'll see exactly what I'm talking about... Wanderlei is going to
wish he were back fighting in Japan!
It's going to be a war but Silva has had his number in
the past so I'll pick him, but the cage was not a factor in all the
previous bouts.
History tends to repeat but Rampage is due. Great fight and
even though I've seen it twice, I'll tune in. Both are great champions
but I'll pick Wand.
Tough one but my gut feeling says Rampage.
Silva by TKO in the second.
I think Silva will crush Rampage because he has his
number.
Silva by KO round two.
I'm rooting for Rampage by left hook.
I think the result is going be the same as their two
fights in Japan --Wand would KO Jackson again. I think Wand just has
the number of Jackson and if they fight 20 times Wand would KO him 20
times. I don’t (know) what Rampage wants but man when you get KOed bad two times by the same guy, what (do) you search for fighting him a third time -- you
want to die! It’s like Rampage don’t understand he can beat everybody
but Wand has his number -- bottom line. Wand KO in round three.
I am gonna go with Rampage in this one. Hopefully he's
back mentally. If not Wand wins by KO again. If he is and fights
smart I think he will beat Wand by decision. Granted he has two KO losses
to Wand, I think in a cage he will be able to press Wand against the
cage and utilize his wrestling ability. That's the only way I see him
winning. Make it a boring wrestling match.
Third time lucky for Rampage. I think he can settle the
score, he has the tools. Hope he's switched on, as Wand will be up for
this and ready. This has got fight of the night written all over it.
Rampage by decision.
Rampage's boxing has improved since the Pride days and the
rules of the UFC will suit him better. I don't think Wand is the same
killer anymore. Rampage by split decision.
I’m not sure on this one. I want to say Wand beating
Rampage twice would make the third already decisive, but that’s not the
case. I’m not sure how Rampage’s camp has been and if he is mentally
ready for this task either. Wand is such a great competitor and
fighter, I’ll go with him for the win. If Rampage won I wouldn’t be
surprised though.
Silva... He has Rampage’s number. He has done it two
times before and will do it again.
Wanderlei wins a decision.
Well, according to Quinton himself, he
is actually God. So
if that's true, he wins any way he wants. But in the real world, I
pick Wanderlei.
That's a tough one to call. Rampage looked bad his
last fight and Silva looked great. If Rampage is in good shape I say
it's 50/50.
I would say Silva is starting to fight like he was in
Pride and Rampage has been looking really good as well. But Silva is
up two and I think that is hard to overlook just like (Rampage) and
the Iceman [
Chuck Liddell]. I wanted the Iceman to win but sometimes things never change.
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