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UFC Previews: UFC 96 Preview & Predictions

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Pro Fighting Fans is the home of UFC fans across the world and we now bring you the best place to find the latest UFC preview & predictions. UFC 95 has come and gone and Nick Russell takes a look at what we learned in his UFC 95 recap.

The next event for UFC will be UFC 96, held on Saturday night, March 7, 2009, live on PPV from Columbus, Ohio, and our UFC 96 preview is posted below for UFC fans across the globe to enjoy. Also be sure to check out our popular "A Fans' View from his Couch" column where UFC fan Greg Vorse gives us his take on each major UFC fight, including UFC 96, UFC 97 & more in the coming days and buy UFC tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!

For more UFC events to be held in 2009 and lists of which Mixed Martial Artists are schedule to fight, be sure to check out the future UFC event fight cards.

The UFC returns to Columbus, OH on March 7th for UFC 96. This event doesn’t carry the excitement and electricity of these previous bouts in Columbus:

UFC 68 Randy Couture defeated Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight Title in one of the biggest moments in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC 82 saw Anderson Silva defend his title against Dan Henderson

Nevertheless, UFC 96 has one of the biggest names in the sport in former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The card also includes Ohio natives Matt Brown and Matt Hamill and a very solid card from top to bottom.

For those of you who have never attended a live UFC event, it is difficult for any sport to match the enthusiasm and anticipation as the clock approaches the 10:00 EST start for the PPV; in one word, bedlam. However, there are several fights that kick off the card at 8:10 EST.

UFC 96 has 5 prelim fights scheduled. The most notable participants are Brandon “The Truth” Vera, Kendall Grove, Tamdan McCrory, and TUF 8 participant Shane Nelson.

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Analysis of the UFC 96 Pay-Per-View bouts:

Gray Maynard vs Jim Miller

A very intriguing matchup. Maynard is very effective using his wrestling background. Miller has a good submission game and is 2-0 in UFC. Maynard trains with Xtreme Couture and no doubt he will be fully prepared for this bout. Maynard extends his perfect record to 7-0 with victory via unanimous decision.

Matt Hamill vs Mark Munoz

Ohio’s own Matt Hamill will enter the octagon to a raucous crowd who will no doubt be cheering WOOOOO!! mimicking Hamill’s familiar shout. Matt is 5-2 with his losses coming to two of the best in the game, Rich Franklin and Michael Bisping. Munoz competed in WEC against lesser competition but was equally impressive. WEC recently dropped the heavier weight classes which brought “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” to UFC. This should be an entertaining fight with Hamill’s experience on the big stage proving to be too much. Hamill wins a close decision.

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Matt Brown vs Pete Sell

Brown will certainly be a fan favorite as he is also from the Buckeye State. Brown also gained enormous popularity for his actions in The Ultimate Fighter. Pete Sell is a tough customer but has lost 3 out of his last 4 fights. He will be hungry and his UFC career may be hanging in the balance. Despite these facts, Matt Brown’s overall game will prove to be too much. Brown catches Sell in a Rear Naked Choke for a victory via submission.

Read The Triangle Choke's recent interview with Matt Brown here on ProFighting-fans.com!

Gabriel Gonzaga vs Shane Carwin

Two of the heavyweight division’s best will slug it out. Gonzaga’s most notable MMA moment was catching MMA legend, Mirko Cro Cop with a wicked leg kick to the head which resulted in “Napao’s” biggest victory to date. Gonzaga parlayed that victory into a title shot against Randy Couture which he lost via strikes. Gonzaga is hungry to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the division; clamoring for another shot at the title. Shane Carwin’s start couldn’t be any better as he holds a career record of 10-0 (2-0 in UFC). Carwin is a former collegiate wrestler and football player. These skills define Carwin’s style and physique. He is a brawler, who will be rugged and aggressive. In the end, Gonzaga’s Jiu-Jitsu skills (Black belt) will be the difference as he gets the victory via arm triangle in the 3rd round.

UFC 96 Main Event: Rampage Jackson vs. “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine

In the stacked light heavyweight division (205 lbs) this bout could be a make or break moment for both fighters. Jackson lost his title via a close decision to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86. Rampage bounced back from the loss by avenging previous defeats to Wanderlei Silva. Rampage connected with a thunderous left hook which knocked Silva out cold. Jardine’s career is as awkward and unpredictable as his fighting style. In his last 5 fights he holds victories over big names; Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera. However, he also was demolished quickly by Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva. No matter what happens, both fighters will stick to their strengths, throwing fists. This fight will be very entertaining but you better not leave your seat as it will likely be over quickly. Rampage continues his path to regaining his title by defeating Jardine early in the 2nd round via knockout

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Director of MMA Content

Photos courtesy UFC.com