UFC Light Heavyweight Championship: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-4) vs. Jon Jones (12-1) – This fight is tough to call. Jones seems like he is an unstoppable force coming in, and is actually favored by oddsmakers. However, this is the biggest fight of his life on the biggest stage and that could affect him mentally. Shogun has looked good in his wins over Lyoto Machida, but he has been off for 10 months because of a knee injury and his last time fighting off an injury, he looked less than impressive. Shogun will show Jones something he hasn’t seen yet, but I think Jones will return the favor. I think the key to this bout is Jones’ wrestling and I see him controlling Shogun in the early rounds before finishing with ground and pound in the third round.

UFC Bantamweight Bout: Urijah Faber (24-4) vs. Eddie Wineland (18-6-1) – Both fighters were former WEC champions and are now making their UFC debuts. Faber likely earns a title fight with a win and coming in he is clearly the better fighter in terms of all-around skills. I see Faber using his quickness and hand speed to set the tone early and then moving to his grappling and submission fighting late in round two to seal the deal. I like Faber by choke in the second.

UFC Lightweight Bout: Jim Miller (19-2) vs. Kamal Shalorus (7-0-2) – Miller is working his way towards a title fight and in this bout, he faces an unbeaten but untested fighter. Shalorus has the better striking, but Miller had a good chin and a relentless attack with his grappling. I look for him to control the fight for the last two rounds to earn himself a decision victory.

UFC Middleweight Bout: Nate Marquardt (33-10-2) vs. Dan Miller (13-4) – Marquardt is favored to win and I think he will, but it will be a tough fight. Marquardt has struggled with wrestlers over recent years and Miller is a solid wrestler. The difference is that Miller is not as strong as some of the other wrestlers Marquardt has stumbled against and I think that will be the deciding factor in this fight. Marquardt will be able to avoid the ground more often due to his strength advantage and his striking and takedown ability will allow him to earn a close decision.

UFC Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Cro Cop (27-8-2) vs. Brendan Schaub (8-1) – This should be an entertaining fight between strikers, but in the end, I like Schaub by TKO as Cro Cop just does not have the explosiveness he once had. He has struggled against strikers in his UFC career, and I see this being no different. Look for Schaub to land some heavy punches in the second round that will finish the PRIDE legend.

The long-awaited fight between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans finally takes place tonight, as the main event of UFC 114 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Here are my picks for that bout and the other four fights on tonight’s PPV card.

UFC Light Heavyweight Bout – Quinton Jackson (30-7) vs. Rashad Evans (19-1-1) – This fight should be exciting as both clearly dislike each other. I think the key to victory will be for Jackson to use his size on Evans and for Evans to use his quickness and wrestling on Jackson. In the end, I like Evans to utilize his hand speed and mix in more wrestling to keep Jackson off guard. Look for Evans to also utilize leg kicks, which Jackson has shown he can’t defend. I am going with Evans to win by decision in a tough fight.

UFC Middleweight Bout – Michael Bisping (19-3) vs. Dan Miller (11-3) – Bisping is hungry for a strong showing after his tough decision loss to Wanderlei Silva. Miller is a game fighter that will keep Bisping on his toes, but Bisping has too much talent and big-fight experience for Miller. Look for the Brit to win by TKO in the second or third round.
UFC Heavyweight Bout – Todd Duffee (6-0) vs. Mike Russow (12-1) – Duffee has been an explosive monster in his MMA career, as he is 6-0 with six KO’s. Russow has the experience edge and will be the better grappler, but the fight always starts on the feet, where Duffee has a clear edge. Look for Russow to push Duffee a little bit before Duffee lands the big punch and scores a TKO late in round one.

UFC Light Heavyweight Bout – Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3) vs. Jason Brilz (18-2-1) – Brilz is stepping in late for an injured Forrest Griffin, which you have to admire, but he is stepping into a bad spot. Nogueira has tremendous striking skills and a jiu-jitsu black belt to boot, so Brilz is in trouble no matter where the fight goes. Look for Rogerio to pull off a TKO win in round two over the tired Brilz.

UFC Weltweweight Bout – Diego Sanchez (23-3) vs. John Hathaway (13-0) – Sanchez is making his return to the welterweight division after losing in dominant fashion to B.J. Penn during a lightweight title fight late in 2009. After getting beaten as badly as he did, Sanchez will be eager to have a strong showing in this fight and Hathaway has promise at 13-0, but he has never faced someone with the motor and skills of Sanchez. Diego should be able to overwhelm Hathaway and earn a TKO win in round three.