UFC 71 - Official MMAU Preview

UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson II

Official MMAU Preview

By GJ Poole

The highly anticipated rematch is upon us and it is the final chapter in the book could redemption for Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell when he tries to conquer the man who decimated him back in Pride 2003 Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. With another victory for the Iceman the possibilities for a match-up with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua or Fedor Emelianenko could look like a huge fight that could be put together for the end of the year.

Ivan Salaverry makes a return to the middleweight division which is ruled by Anderson "The Spider" Silva who faces Salverry’s last defeat in the octagon Nate "The Great" Marquardt which is scheduled for UFC 73: Stacked back in August 2005.

With other crowd pullers such as Karo "The Heat" Parisyan, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine & Chris "The Crippler" Leben the event is sure to be a good one as always and with unexpected victories in the last PPV’s from Randy Couture, Matt Serra & Gabriel Gonzaga don’t expect anything different from this one.

Here is the Televised card for the UK Fans

Chris "The Crippler" Leben vs Kalib Starnes

With Chris Leben just signing to be the head coach of MMA at the new Icon gym in Hawali, this could be his last UFC bout for a long time if UFC don’t fell Chris Leben is a possible contender. His opponent the TUF season 3 fighter Kalib Starnes holds a TKO victory over Leben’s last loss Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald and with his stand-out floor game and reach advantage could prove a stern test for The Crippler, but expect an ever explosive Leben performance especially if it’s his last.

Prediction: Chris Leben by KO Round 2

Houston Alexander vs Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine

Even low Keith Jardine shocked us with a TKO victory over Forrest Griffin at UFC 66: Liddell vs Ortiz 2 he did show weaknesses in his stand up that could be exploited if he was given the opportunity to face the title holder. I’m sure he has been training his stand up game with Greg Jackson & Co as he takes on newcomer to the octagon, Houston Alexander with his 6-1 record is no slouch and has great strength in his wrestling skills, good hands and KO power which are needed to take on someone like The Dean of Mean.

Prediction: Keith Jardine by U. Decision

Next: Ryoto Machida, Jason Lambert or Renato Sobral

Karo "The Heat" Parisyan vs Josh "The People's Warrior" Burkman

This is a fight I’m looking forward most on the card as I feel Josh Burkman would has won the TUF season 2 if it hadn’t been because of the injury he sustained against Melvin Guillard on the show & Karo Parisyan for me is one of the most underrated guys in the division or even MMA all together. Parisyan is known for his crazy judo skills & grappling skills and should be heading the list for a title shot if he can string together a couple wins. Josh Burkman also possess great grappling skills which will make for a great bout and I think Josh Burkman will have the edge on the stand up, but with the judo flips Karo has to his arsenal as he displayed back in August 06 against Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez this will be another war for The Heat.

Prediction: Karo Parisyan by Split Decision
Next: Jon Fitch or Jess Liaudin

Fight of the Night!!!
Terry Martin vs Ivan Salaverry

Terry Martin coming of his superb victory over Jorge Rivera at UFC 67: All or Nothing in 14 seconds shows that he has been training stand up and has mentioned training with the former heavyweight champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski it’s clear as day his hand power is not to be reckoned with as he looks to push up the ladder and gain a future title shot. Ivan Salaverry the well rounded Canadian will look to make an impact upon returning and use his floor skills to gain the advantage in the bout and earn a victory against his tough opponent.

Prediction: Ivan Salaverry by U. Decision
Next: Mike "Quick" Swick

Main Event for the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title
Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell vs Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

For me I think after what I saw of Quinton Jackson against Marvin Eastman his stand up was very poor and against Chuck Liddell will be torn apart and give The Iceman the redemption he has so longed for since 2003. It’s not all doom and gloom for "Rampage", if he can do what no one else has done and get inside the pocket range of the The Iceman and put pressure on him and apply some of those trademark slams then throw the script away because what with seen with the last three PPV’s there has been fireworks and upsets that we couldn’t of imagined.

Prediction: Quinton "Rampage" Jackson by TKO Round 3
A rubber match on the cards.

Summary:

All in all a mouth watering main event that everyone has wanted and some intriguing bouts with Keith Jardine, Karo Parisyan & Ivan Salaverry on the card this should make for a good PPV, but nothing like the talent at UFC 70: Nations Collide