Jones Vs. Rampage UFC Odds Fight Pick

The Rampage vs. Jones fight has become an interesting clash between a former champ and a new-era phenom. and the odds in this one seem to be in Jon Jones' favor.

The UFC 135 card tentatively has this one scheduled already for Denver, CO, and Jones is looking to defend his belt for the first time since he won it from another legend in Shogun Rua. Is Jones ready for the power of Rampage? Is Rampage quick and athletic enough to deal with Jones? Let's examine.

What Rampage must do to win and score an upset: Simply put, Rampage has to come into this fight in the best shape of his life and then some or he has no chance to win. Rashad Evans showed that he was a step slow compared to the top athletes in the light heavyweight division and Jones is perhaps even better.

Actually Jones is mainly the best athlete because of his combination of rare size, length, and speed, and Rampage has had struggles with length in the past. To win he will need to rough up Jones and make it a street fight, to get in his face and land the one big shot that puts his opponent on the defensive. Otherwise, the UFC 135 odds underdog Rampage will likely get picked apart from a distance in this one and then finished.

What Jones must do to defend his UFC belt: Jones has to just do what he's been doing and make sure his stand-up has been tightened for this one, as well as his cardio because Rampage is a tough man to finish.

Jones has a tough task in avoiding the power of Rampage for 5 rounds but it will be an interesting one to follow indeed.

"Bones" should remind himself that Rampage has rare strength and power so it won't be easy tossing him around; he's the one guy in the UFC who never seems to be overpowered physically.

Jones should play it safe and use his reach early on before feeling his opponent out and then going in for the kill; his length is really what makes him such a big favorite in this one.

UFC 135 fight pick: Jones will come out a bit slower than usual and prove he is human. But after that, the odds favorite will find the openings in Rampage's game as he predicted and score a TKO victory in what should be a warning to the rest of the UFC's light heavyweight class that Jones is here to stay at the top for a long time to come because of his rare physical gifts and youth.