UFC 123 Preview: The Main Card

UFC 123 on Saturday at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich., features a light heavyweight showdown between former champions, a score settler between a pair of legends squaring off for the final time and key crossroads matches for young and veteran talent alike.

Here’s a closer look at the main card, with analysis and picks.

Light Heavyweights
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (No. 4 LHW) vs. Lyoto Machida (No. 2 LHW, No. 8 PFP)

The Matchup: One could not come up with two more different styles than those utilized by Jackson and Machida. Despite considerable wrestling chops and incredible strength, Jackson has become so striking-oriented since arriving in the UFC that fans that followed his Pride Fighting Championships exploits barely recognize him.

Rampage largely depends on big power punches, which seems the perfect template for a guy like Machida. With a mercurial style, odd angles and attacks and uncanny movement, Machida will have a ton of options available to him. He will flit in and out and side to side, maximizing his advantages. Jackson has always had trouble with kicks and, in performances like the one he gave against Rashad Evans at UFC 114, leaves one wondering why he does not take opponents down more often. He basically let Evans outhustle him for two rounds before finally stepping it up in the third. By then, it was too late.

Navigating Machida’s mix of strikes, foot sweeps and weird combinations is akin to trying to hit a knuckleball pitcher on a day with strong winds blowing out. Jackson will chase around the karateka trying to land his famed right hand counter, but Machida will prove too quick and elusive. Machida may also score a takedown or two off his strikes, in which case he will find himself in a more advantageous top position.

The Pick: I like Machida in a bout that resembles a snake chasing a mouse; the snake gets nipped all night and never catches its prey. Machida by decision.