Live from the Prudential Centre in Nework New Jersey, Shogun VS Jones. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua hasn’t been inside the octagon in almost ten months due to knee surgury. Rua was scheduled to face Rashard Evens who also hasn’t seen action in nine and a half months because he wanted to wait for Rua’s return, rather then staying active. But then Karma kicked Evens in the face for it and he injured his knee a month before the fight with Rua. When Jon “Bones” Jones dismantled undefeated Ryan Bader last months at UFC 126, it was announced live that he would be stepping in for the injured Evens and get his chance to become a Champion at the age of 23. Jones is the best young prospect in the sport today and come March 19th it will be only forty-two days since Jones defeated Barder. Rua will be too rusty to handle Jones and Bruce Buffer will be announcing a new Light Heavyweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones in the second round via elbow strikes.
For the first time in the UFC, the Co-Main Event will feature a Bantamweight bout between former WEC Featherweight Champion Uriah Faber and former Bantamweight Champion Eddie Wineland. Faber made his Bantamweight debut back in November where he defeated Tekeya Mizugaki by a rear naked choke in the first round. Winelands most recent victory was a vicious slam knocking out Ken Stone in the first round. This Bout will receive the fight of the night honors. And “The California Kid” Uriah Faber will defeat Wineland via rear naked choke in the third round.
New Jersey native Jim Miller takes on Kamal Shalorus. Shalorus is making his UFC debut and puts his unbeaten record on the line against the very tough Miller who is coming off a six fight winning streak including his most recent victory over top prospect Charles Oliveira via Kneebar. Jim Miller will take this bout via unanimous decision.
Nate “the Great” Marquardt takes on Dan Miller, in a Middleweight match up that is a most win for both fighters. Marquardt is coming off the most disappointing fight of his career and wants to prove that it was a one time bad performance. Well Miller need this victory to crack the top ten rankings, which he’s failed to do in his pervious fights with top ranked fighters. Marquardt will defeat Miller in the second via TKO.
The first fight on the PPV card features Heavyweights Brendan Schaub taking on Mirko Cro-Cop. Schaub is riding a four fight winning streak and is hungry to move up the heavyweight rankings. With Cro-Cops best days behind him and since his legendary head kick hasn’t been seen in over five years, Brendan Schaub will defeat Cro-Cop in the first round via KO and will receive Knockout of the Night honors.
Sources: Fighter info Wikipedia