UFC on FOX 6 Teixeira vs. Jackson and Johnson v. Dodson
When: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
Time: 8pm ET
TV: FOX
by Evergreen, MMA Handicapper
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The UFC is about as hot as it has been in the last few years with the UFC Heavyweight Title changing hands last month and the latest season on the Ultimate Fighter kicking off with Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen as coaches.The buzz continues this weekend as the 6th installment of the UFC on FOX has a strong card that includes a title bout at 125lbs. between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson.Johnson is the first Flyweight Champion in UFC history and Dodson quickly became a fan favorite in winning his season of TUF while showing a ton of personality.
The best match on the undercard is the bout at 205lbs. between Glover Teixeira and Quinton Rampage Jackson.This fight could be the last for Rampage in the UFC and has been long in the making after a Jackson injury forced this match off the summer schedule.The UFC seems very high on the prospects of Teixeira and a win would not only symbolically be a changing of the guard but also propel Glover to the upper echelon of the division.Dont let the non-PPV format make you think these are sub-standard fights.Jackson is one of the most polarizing and interesting draws in all of MMA with Teixeira a potential star in the making and the entire flyweight division is vastly underrated.They may be 53 but Dodson and Johnson will go at breakneck speed for the whole 25 minutes and could produce one of the most exciting fights of the year.
Heres a look at these two fights:
Glover Teixeira (19-2) v. Quinton Rampage Jackson (32-10)
Dana White and the UFC really wanted this fight and it should be exciting with a KO likely.Teixeira is a heavy favorite at -325 with Jackson getting some nice value as a +250 dog and that makes for an interesting betting scenario.How much do you make of Rampages mindset in what might be his last professional fight?Maybe not so much as he always kind of went out there and competed as if it was his last time in the Octagon but is he motivated to win at this point in his career?Not making weight and losing a three round unanimous decision to Ryan Bader last time out suggests he might be disinterested in anything but his payday.Teixeira has nothing but motivation as he is climbing the ranks and needs a win over a big name to vault him into the conversation at light heavyweight. Jackson is certainly that big name and would be a good win based on the rankings as Sherdog still lists Rampage as the #10 light heavy in MMA.
Glover is riding a 17 fight win streak that dates back to 2006 and while the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt is an adept grappler; he seems to favor his striking to soften his opponents rather than dragging them into a purposeful ground fight.Rampage likes to bang and so seemingly does Glover so it doesnt take long to figure out why the UFC is looking forward to this match.Throw out Jacksons 4-3 record since 2008 in part due to his reported health issues and also due to him being a very proud fighter.Rampage would surely like to go out with a KO victory and his hands can produce that with ease.Teixeira has a three inch reach advantage but there wont be a huge advantage as Jackson is used to being on the short side of the reach game and has never really had trouble getting inside with his counter strike game.Teixeira really should focus on getting this thing to the ground early and often and stay out of range but something tells me that he will try to stand and bang with Jackson, at least until he gets caught.I never really had much love for Rampage past his PRIDE days as I thought he was too one dimensional once the MMA scene got a more well-rounded talent in the pool but I actually like him to win this fight and certainly like the value at +250.It doesnt take an MMA savant to predict a Jackson win if he can stand and score with Teixeira so the question remains if Glover will let him.I think he will and Rampage hits one more home run in the Octagon.
My Prediction to Win: Jackson by 2ndround KO)
Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson (16-2-1) v. John The Magician Dodson (14-5)
If you long for the days when the UFC was dominated by the likes of Liddell, Couture and Abbott, then this match probably doesnt do a lot for you.Heck, most people didnt even know that MMA went below the 155 pound weight class until the UFC absorbed the former WEC roster.The Johnson/Dodson match has all the makings of a classic as each man is essentially the physical mirror of the other with each possessing lighting quick hands and feet as well as a strong overall MMA game.Johnson won the first flyweight strap in the UFC after surviving a two fight elimination against Ian McCall and taking down Joseph Benevidez to earn the title.All of those bouts were hard fought and close on the cards but Johnson emerged the victor and now has a wealth of experience in high level, grind em out fights.Dodson has risen as quickly as any TUF alumnus and the southpaw striker has the heavier hands in this match as well as small edge in overall wrestling experience.The champ is listed as the -225 favorite with Dodson at +175, making this a very close fight when compared to other title bouts on recent cards.Neither man has lost in the UFC with both being able to put their offensive game plan to use in previous wins.Obviously, someone will have to some adjusting on the fly as this one goes on but no matter who has the upper hand, the pace will surely be frenetic and round five shouldnt look any different than round one as conditioning is never a problem for the flyweights.
Like most bouts in this class, there will be ground and stand-up elements as the fighters look to exploit any offensive advantage they can gain but there is no way this stays on the ground for an extended period of time as neither of these men can be held down for long.If this one turns out to be as high-flying as anticipated, watch for Dodson to have a small edge in the striking as his six KOs double the total of Johnson.Dodson is the more dynamic striker and has the wrestling background to fall on if he needs to so there is every reason to believe we could see a new champ come Saturday night.It shouldnt even be viewed as a big upset if Dodson wins as he is the #3 ranked fighter in the division with Johnson in the top spot.You cant call for a knockout in any fight at 125 but I do think the Magician pulls one out of his hat and gets the belt.
My Pick to Win: Dodson by unanimous decision
