UFC 130 This Saturday from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Live on UFC.TV and Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Who will prevail when Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Matt “The Hammer” Hamill collide in the main event of UFC® 130 this Saturday, live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas? While fans across the globe debate the highly-anticipated light heavyweight bout between the two fighters, as well as a co-main event battle between former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir and The Ultimate Fighter® season 10 winner Roy “Big Country” Nelson, some of the world’s most recognizable fighters served up their predictions for the Memorial Day weekend UFC extravaganza.
Below are some of the thoughts and predictions for the main event and co-main event of UFC® 130: RAMPAGE vs. HAMILL:
JON JONES, UFC light heavyweight champion
Predictions: RAMPAGE, MIR
“I really can’t predict a winner for Rampage-Hamill. It depends on what mental attitude Rampage comes in with. If I had to make a pick, I’d probably go with Rampage because of the level of success he’s had.
“I’ll go with Frank Mir. He’s a personal friend of mine and he’s more well-versed with his techniques.”
FRANKIE EDGAR, UFC lightweight champion
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I know Matt pretty well so I’m a little biased, obviously, but I’m going to go with him. I think his will to win and takedown ability will give fits to Rampage.
“On Mir versus Nelson, that’s a true toss-up for me. If I had to go with anybody it would be Frank just because of where he’s been and what he’s accomplished.”
CAIN VELASQUEZ, UFC heavyweight champion
Predictions: RAMPAGE, NELSON
“I’m picking Rampage.”
“Watching ‘Big Country’ (Nelson) versus dos Santos, I saw the kind of heart that Roy had to gut it out. I just see him doing the same with Frank for the whole fight, making it a tough fight for Mir. So I’m going to go with Big Country by decision.”
ANTHONY PETTIS, former WEC champion and top UFC lightweight contender
Predictions: RAMPAGE, MIR
“I think Rampage will be too much for Hamill on his feet. I see a second-round stoppage and I’m going to go with Mir in a decision.”
MARK MUNOZ, UFC middleweight contender
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I see Hamill pressing forward on Rampage and Rampage covering up and looking to throw bombs with his left hook. If Hamill can get him to the ground, he can do very well on top. If it goes to the ground, I’m going with Hamill, if it stays on the feet I’m going with Rampage. I think it’s going to go to the ground and Matt Hamill will have the edge there. I see him winning a decision.
“I’m taking Frank Mir because he’s more versed on the ground and his standup has improved a lot and he’s got the heavier hands. Frank Mir by unanimous decision.”
CARLOS CONDIT, UFC welterweight contender
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I’ll go with Matt Hamill by decision. He’s younger and I think he’s the hungrier fighter right now.
“With the heavies, I’ve got Frank Mir. I think he’s the better fighter. Big Country is crafty and a good fighter, but I think Mir wins.”
PAT BARRY, UFC heavyweight
Predictions: HAMILL, NELSON
“The main event is a tough one because I feel Rampage is a lot meaner, but Hamill is more durable. I think it comes down to the last round and that Hamill wins it in the end.
“Frank Mir is more experienced so this one depends on which Frank Mir shows up. If the right one shows up he’s close to unbeatable. Roy Nelson is ridiculously athletic for his appearance. If this fight stays standing Roy Nelson wins it; if it goes to the ground then Frank Mir wins. I think it’s gonna stay standing. I don’t know if Frank will be able to get it to the ground. I think it will be Roy Nelson via strikes, but again, it depends on which Frank Mir shows up.”
RENZO GRACIE, UFC competitor and famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor
Predictions: HAMILL, NELSON
“That’s going to be very tough fight, but I see Hamill winning. Rampage is very dangerous, but the difference will be Matt’s toughness and his ability to take his opponents down.
“I really believe Roy Nelson can beat anyone on any given day. He’s extremely and unbelievably tough. Mir is a very tough guy but I see Roy Nelson winning. Roy has the ability to push the fight and finish it.”
MICHAEL BISPING, UFC middleweight who fought Hamill and trains with Rampage
Prediction: RAMPAGE
“Hamill is very tough and is very hard to set yourself against. He’s improved a lot since we fought, too, and I actually like it when he does well. He’s very strong, very physically powerful, but I’ve never felt any strength like Rampage. He’s freakishly powerful. I know people are worried about Rampage being in shape, but I was in LA training with him and he’s in the best shape he’s been in for maybe four fights. Hamill is very tough and it will be a good fight, but I think Rampage wins this.”
RANDY COUTURE, UFC Hall of Famer
Prediction: HAMILL
“Hamill has the tools to beat Rampage. I think his wrestling base gives him an advantage and he can exploit holes in Rampage’s game.”
Below are some of the thoughts and predictions for the main event and co-main event of UFC® 130: RAMPAGE vs. HAMILL:
JON JONES, UFC light heavyweight champion
Predictions: RAMPAGE, MIR
“I really can’t predict a winner for Rampage-Hamill. It depends on what mental attitude Rampage comes in with. If I had to make a pick, I’d probably go with Rampage because of the level of success he’s had.
“I’ll go with Frank Mir. He’s a personal friend of mine and he’s more well-versed with his techniques.”
FRANKIE EDGAR, UFC lightweight champion
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I know Matt pretty well so I’m a little biased, obviously, but I’m going to go with him. I think his will to win and takedown ability will give fits to Rampage.
“On Mir versus Nelson, that’s a true toss-up for me. If I had to go with anybody it would be Frank just because of where he’s been and what he’s accomplished.”
CAIN VELASQUEZ, UFC heavyweight champion
Predictions: RAMPAGE, NELSON
“I’m picking Rampage.”
“Watching ‘Big Country’ (Nelson) versus dos Santos, I saw the kind of heart that Roy had to gut it out. I just see him doing the same with Frank for the whole fight, making it a tough fight for Mir. So I’m going to go with Big Country by decision.”
ANTHONY PETTIS, former WEC champion and top UFC lightweight contender
Predictions: RAMPAGE, MIR
“I think Rampage will be too much for Hamill on his feet. I see a second-round stoppage and I’m going to go with Mir in a decision.”
MARK MUNOZ, UFC middleweight contender
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I see Hamill pressing forward on Rampage and Rampage covering up and looking to throw bombs with his left hook. If Hamill can get him to the ground, he can do very well on top. If it goes to the ground, I’m going with Hamill, if it stays on the feet I’m going with Rampage. I think it’s going to go to the ground and Matt Hamill will have the edge there. I see him winning a decision.
“I’m taking Frank Mir because he’s more versed on the ground and his standup has improved a lot and he’s got the heavier hands. Frank Mir by unanimous decision.”
CARLOS CONDIT, UFC welterweight contender
Predictions: HAMILL, MIR
“I’ll go with Matt Hamill by decision. He’s younger and I think he’s the hungrier fighter right now.
“With the heavies, I’ve got Frank Mir. I think he’s the better fighter. Big Country is crafty and a good fighter, but I think Mir wins.”
PAT BARRY, UFC heavyweight
Predictions: HAMILL, NELSON
“The main event is a tough one because I feel Rampage is a lot meaner, but Hamill is more durable. I think it comes down to the last round and that Hamill wins it in the end.
“Frank Mir is more experienced so this one depends on which Frank Mir shows up. If the right one shows up he’s close to unbeatable. Roy Nelson is ridiculously athletic for his appearance. If this fight stays standing Roy Nelson wins it; if it goes to the ground then Frank Mir wins. I think it’s gonna stay standing. I don’t know if Frank will be able to get it to the ground. I think it will be Roy Nelson via strikes, but again, it depends on which Frank Mir shows up.”
RENZO GRACIE, UFC competitor and famed Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor
Predictions: HAMILL, NELSON
“That’s going to be very tough fight, but I see Hamill winning. Rampage is very dangerous, but the difference will be Matt’s toughness and his ability to take his opponents down.
“I really believe Roy Nelson can beat anyone on any given day. He’s extremely and unbelievably tough. Mir is a very tough guy but I see Roy Nelson winning. Roy has the ability to push the fight and finish it.”
MICHAEL BISPING, UFC middleweight who fought Hamill and trains with Rampage
Prediction: RAMPAGE
“Hamill is very tough and is very hard to set yourself against. He’s improved a lot since we fought, too, and I actually like it when he does well. He’s very strong, very physically powerful, but I’ve never felt any strength like Rampage. He’s freakishly powerful. I know people are worried about Rampage being in shape, but I was in LA training with him and he’s in the best shape he’s been in for maybe four fights. Hamill is very tough and it will be a good fight, but I think Rampage wins this.”
RANDY COUTURE, UFC Hall of Famer
Prediction: HAMILL
“Hamill has the tools to beat Rampage. I think his wrestling base gives him an advantage and he can exploit holes in Rampage’s game.”
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