UFC 96 “Jackson vs Jardine” will take place tomorrow, March 7, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio and will air live on pay-per-view at 10PM ET/7PM PT. The weigh-ins will be held this afternoon at 4PM ET/1PM PT in the Nationwide Arena, and will stream live on UFC.com.
If you’re the gambling type, we recommend visiting BetUS and Bodog to place your bets. BetUS is currently offering a $75 sign up bonus.
Odds below are from BetUS and are subject to change. Feel free to check out the live lines on our UFC Betting Odds page for the most up-to-date betting odds.
The Fights
Minus (-) = favorite | Plus (+) = underdog
With a line of -150 & +150, you would have to wager $150 to win $100 if you’re picking the favorite. You would win $150 for every $100 if you bet on the underdog assuming he won.
Good luck!
Quinton Jackson (-350) vs Keith Jardine (+250)
Mike Moffatt: In a number one contenders match between Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida, somehow Keith Jardine got offered the fight. Jardine’s awkward style should be able to keep Jackson off-balance at the beginning and his leg kicks may puzzle Jackson, as was the case when he faced Forrest Griffin. However, Jardine’s chin remains a big question mark and Jackson simply punches too hard. Look for Jardine to be stopped in the second. Jackson by Knockout in Round Two
Zane Blackman: Everyone knows that Rampage hits very hard, and everyone knows Jardine has a suspect chin. Those are the only two factors that will matter. Rampage by TKO in Round Two
Zak Woods: Quinton Jackson is a fight away from a title shot and the only person standing in his way is the Keith Jardine. Jardine has been an up and down fighter, but he has a knack for upsetting the UFC’s well laid plans. Still Jackson wins this bout. Jackson by Knockout
Steve Barry: I think everyone was a little surprised when Keith Jardine employed a near flawless gameplan against Chuck Liddell, throwing off his timing, and getting the best of him on the feet with his awkward style and effective leg kicks. However, after seeing Jardine crumble at the hands of Houston Alexander, I don’t think anyone was too shocked when Wanderlei Silva annihilated him in the opening minute of the first. Jardine has a shot if he can stay outside and leg kick Rampage to death like Forrest did, but the moment Rampage gets in on him it’s going to look a lot more like Jardine’s fight against Silva than his fight against Liddell. Rampage by Knockout in Round One
Matt Hamill (-170) vs Mark Munoz (+140)
Mike Moffatt: These two decorated wrestlers will test who has been able to make an easier transition into mixed martial arts on Saturday night. Matt Hamill recently fell to Rich Franklin, and it was quite puzzling that he disregarded his wrestling acumen during that bout. Now that Hamill is facing a wrestler with the talent level of Munoz, however, it might not be the best time to try to engage in a wrestling match. I believe Munoz will come out on top here. Munoz by TKO (Ground and Pound) in Round Two
Zane Blackman: Both highly decorated wrestlers, both have solid chins and decent punching power. In what should be a great fight. Munoz by Unanimous Decision
Zak Woods: I love Matt Hamill but I am fearful that if he doesn’t utilize his excellent wrestling skills then he will quickly approach irrelevancy. That being said I think the Buckeye native will win via decision. Hamill by Decision
Steve Barry: When two fighters strengths are identical, the fight tends to gravitate towards their weaknesses, so I’m envisioning this fight being a subpar kickboxing match. Not to mention, Hamill seems to be on a mission to prove he can be a dangerous striker in MMA, which so far has produced mix results depending on the level of talent he’s facing. Regardless though, I like Hamill in this match up taking the decision. Hamill by Decision
Gabriel Gonzaga (-170) vs Shane Carwin (+140)
Mike Moffatt: Shane Carwin faces a gigantic leap in competition for this fight against former title contender, Gabriel Gonzaga. Though Carwin has looked very impressive since debuting in the Octagon, it remains tough to determine simply how good a contender the UFC has found. I look for Gonzaga to be able to take Carwin into the later rounds and catch him on the ground. Gonzaga by Submission in Round Three
Zane Blackman: Carwin is taking a huge jump in competition, and I don’t think he is quite on Gonzaga’s level yet. Gonzaga by Submission in Round Two
Zak Woods: This will be Shane Carwin’s first real test in the UFC. Carwin has never had a fight go out of the first round and I highly doubt that trend will continue against Gabriel Gonzaga. I am really torn on whom to pick in this fight because I think Carwin is an overvalued commodity. Remember Gonzaga has only lost to Fabricio Werdum and Randy Couture. Gonzaga pulls out the decision victory. Gonzaga by Decision
Steve Barry: There’s been so much hype thrown Shane Carwin’s way, it’s almost made me ill. Unlike the other super hyped heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez, all I’ve seen Carwin do so far is hit weak competition hard in the face. Perhaps, he has a lot more to offer, and I hope he does (the heavyweight division needs him to be good), but until I see more out of him against better competition, I’ve very hesitant to pick him. Lucky for us though, we’re going to find a lot more out about Shane Carwin in this fight. Gonzaga by Submission in Round One
Pete Sell (-140) vs Matt Brown (+110)
Mike Moffatt: Pete Sell will need an impressive showing on Saturday night if he hopes to remain with the UFC. Though he was able to top Josh Burkman back in October in a decision victory, Sell had suffered three straight defeats before that. As for Matt Brown, consistency is the biggest question mark, as he simply cannot seem to put together back-to-back victories. Could we be watching a ‘loser leaves town’ match? Sell via Split Decision
Zane Blackman: Very interesting fight. Given the bloated UFC roster I wouldn’t be surprised to see the loser leave town. Brown is the better fighter but my gut says Sell is going to pull it off. Sell by TKO in Round One
Zak Woods: The Matt Brown Pete Sell fight is the perfect example of why this PPV is weak. Brown is 8-7 with a 2-1 record in the UFC and Pete Sell is 8-4 with a 2-5 record in the UFC. How do you pick between two bottom feeders? I’ll pick Sell on account of him being the larger fighter. Sell
Steve Barry: Wow, this fight’s really on the televised card? Neither fighter has ever seemed terribly impressive to me. Sell’s fight against Scott Smith was incredibly entertaining to watch, but that doesn’t mean he’s a solid contender in the UFC. Mike’s probably right, the loser’s probably leaving town in this one. Not really sure who to take, nor do I care a whole lot, so I’ll go against the grain and take Brown. Brown by Decision
Gray Maynard (-170) vs Jim Miller (+140)
Mike Moffatt: You really have to love the work ethic and determination of both Miller brothers, and brother Jim will get his chance to take on a big name on Saturday night. Gray Maynard has been impressive in the Octagon, but needs to win to remain relevant in the stacked 155 pound division. I don’t see Miller being able to do enough to Maynard and, in the end, I believe we will be looking to the judge’s scorecards. Maynard via Split Decision
Zane Blackman: Both of these guys are right on the cusp of being top 5 UFC lightweights, and a win would propel either right behind the top contenders. Both have great gas tank’s and both are amazing wrestlers. Miller by Unanimous Decision
Zak Woods: The Gray Maynard-Jim Miller bout will be a lot closer than some think. Miller is no slouch with a 13-1 record. Neither fighter is a striker so the bout will be Miller’s submissions versus Maynard’s wrestling, that’s why I will go with Maynard via decision. Maynard by Decision
Steve Barry: This fight’s going to be a grinding, grueling battle between two tough competitors. Miller’s game and is dangerous on the ground, but Maynard’s wrestling is relentless. I think Maynard avoids Miller’s submission attempts and takes the decision. Maynard by Decision
Tamdan McCrory (-) vs Ryan Madigan (+)
Mike Moffatt: McCrory by Submission in Round One
Zane Blackman: McCrory
Zak Woods: Tamdan McCrory over Ryan Madigan McCrory
Steve Barry: McCrory by Submission in Round Two
Kendall Grove (-) vs Jason Day (+)
Mike Moffatt: Though Jason Day isn’t taking on someone with the all-around ability of Bisping, I don’t think he and Grove are on the same level. Grove by Submission in Round Two
Zane Blackman: Day
Zak Woods: Kendall Grove continues to rebuild his career with a win over Jason Day. Grove
Steve Barry: Word is Kendall gets the boot if he loses. I’m betting he does. Day by TKO in Round Two
Tim Boetsch (-) vs Jason Brilz (-)
Mike Moffatt: Boetsch by TKO in Round Two
Zane Blackman: Boetsch
Zak Woods: Two young light heavyweights, Jason Brilz over Tim Boetsch. Brilz
Steve Barry: Boetsch by TKO in Round Two
Brandon Vera (-600) vs Michael Patt (+450)
Mike Moffatt: If Vera can’t pull through in this one it might be the end of his road. Vera by TKO in Round One
Zane Blackman: Vera
Zak Woods: Brandon Vera rebounds from his loss to Keith Jardine with a victory. Vera
Steve Barry: Talk about a fall from grace. Vera definitely needs this win. Lucky for him the UFC needs him for their expansion efforts and threw him this softball. Vera by TKO in Round One
Aaron Riley (-) vs Shane Nelson (+)
Mike Moffatt: Nelson by Unanimous Decision
Zane Blackman: Riley
Zak Woods: Aaron Riley over Shane Nelson. Riley
Steve Barry: Riley by Decision
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shame i wasnt asked for my views…. never mind.
Gary, who do you have? That goes for anyone else too. Where did we all get it wrong?
wow did i to terrible lol