Act before the bookies. With Quinton Jackson missing weight and still potentially being injured, Ryan Bader may be the golden ticket in sports betting tonight.
Situation: Quinton Jackson (-220) vs. Ryan Bader (+180)
The Bet: Bet Ryan Bader to Win (Bet $10 to win $18)
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson suffered an injury during training that was detrimental to his ability to cut weight. The injury reportedly hindered his ability to run, which would lead one to believe that it was a leg injury. “Rampage” still does not want to disclose exactly what the injury is because he is worried it’ll give Bader a big red target.
This is the biggest fight in Quinton’s life, and there was no way he was going to pull out of it. The rumor going around is that it is either a knee or ankle injury, and if that holds true it’s going to be a long night for him. When asked about the injury, Jackson says it’s “pretty much healed up right now”. No fighter in his right mind would admit to the injury still being a problem just a day before the fight, and the fact that he didn’t disclose what the injury means would lead one to believe that it is still a problem.
Both men have rocks for hands and can throw a knockout blow at any moment, and it will be a hell-of-a fight if they decide to do that. However, Ryan Bader has lost two out of his last three fights in the UFC and he should lock up another victory to secure his spot with the organization. A top-level NCAA Division-I wrestler, you can be assured that a big part of Bader’s offense will be his takedowns.
Expect “Rampage” to be the agressor early on standing. Bader will likely keep his distance and shoot for takedowns throughout the fight in what I think will be a point battle. Quinton Jackson has a HUGE fighter spirit and he may be fighting in front of his favorite crowd, and I’m not doubting his ability to overcome the unfortunate events that brought him to the situation he’s in now, but there’s only so much you can overcome in a fight.
