UFC on FOX 10 Date: January 25, 2014 Arena: United Center City: Chicago, IL Bantamweight bout: Eddie Wineland (-310) vs Yves Jabouin (+255) Fight Breakdown: The UFC on FOX 10 preliminary card on FOX Sports 1 will feature a bantamweight match-up between former WEC bantamweight champion Eddie Wineland and the veteran Yves Jabouin. Wineland is the favorite in this contest at -310 ($310 to win $100), and Jabouin is the underdog at +255 ($100 to win $255) at Several Bookmakerss. EDDIE WINELAND (20-9-1 MMA, 2-3 UFC) squared off against Renan Barao for the UFC’s interim 135 gold and lost via second round knockout. Having his two fight winning streak snapped by the Brazilian, Wineland looks to make a return to the Octagon, as he has his heart set on making another run at the belt. He won the first round in the match-up, and believes he could beat the champion. Wineland earned his shot at Barao by defeating Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgensen, two fighters who have since dropped to the flyweight division. He took Fight of the Night honors against Pickett, and Knockout of the Night against Jorgensen. Giving “Young Guns” the first knockout loss of his professional mixed martial arts career, Wineland proved to have serious dynamite in his hands. That knockout was the tenth in his 20 win career; he is dangerous with his hands and is definitely a finisher. The Indiana native has great footwork, excellent head movement, and is good at dodging punches. However, he does have a bad habit of keeping his hands down and his chin high. His confidence in his chin and hands allows him to take two to land one. Wineland is a very good boxer, having sharpened his boxing skills. He fights technically and lands crisp, clean punches, but he can brawl just as well. Another part of his game Wineland has really tightened up is his defensive wrestling; his takedown defense has become great. His offensive wrestling is good, though he does not usually try to wrestle. Wineland’s cardio has been a slight concern throughout his career, but it has been improving. I expect him to have the edge in conditioning, as he heads into this bout against Jabouin. YVES “TIGER” JABOUIN (19-8 MMA, 4-2 UFC) makes his seventh trip to the Octagon following a controversial split decision victory over TUF alumni Dustin Pague. Jabouin displayed solid submission defense in that bout, but was arguably awarded a hometown decision. He is a very talented technical striker, but is more of a point fighter than a finisher, not having finished an opponent in nearly six years. The French-Canadian has a traditional Muay Thai stance, uses excellent footwork and works solid leg kicks. He has many kicks in his arsenal, including a spinning back-kick which he likes to use. Jaboin favors the spinning attack, as he also uses the spinning back-fist quite frequently, which seems to be one of his favorite strikes, though he does not often find success landing it. When “Tiger” closes the distance on his opponents, he likes to employ the clinch, where he favors knees, but also does damage with punches and elbows. One note is that he is not very good at closing the distance on opponents who have a reach advantage over him and are able to implement it well, which will be the case heading into this match-up against Wineland. Despite not having finished an opponent of over half a decade, Jabouin still packs a powerful right hand. The veteran has developed his wrestling game over the years and has good takedown defense. His offensive grappling is on point, as well. He has a nice single leg takedown he likes to use whenever he desires to take the action to the canvas. It benefits him to have the threat of that takedown, because he is good at using faints, and does so often. While on the mat, he puts his elbows to good use in a brutal ground and pound attack. Jabouin’s cardio is not very good; he tends to get more and more tired as the fight goes on, and does not have much to offer in the third frame. That said, the judges love him, as he has won three of his past four bouts by split decision, and two of them were very controversial. Many fans believed Dustin Pague and Walel Watson had defeated him, and I am one of them. Fight Prediction: This is going to be a technical battle on the feet, and Wineland is going to use his reach and speed to batter Jaboin with punches, especially his lead left jab. I think Wineland may also mix in takedowns in order to seal rounds on the judges’ scorecards. I would not be at all surprised if Wineland stops Jaboin, however I expect it to go the distance more often than not. Gabe’s Pick: Eddie Wineland by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Plays: Eddie Wineland (-310) parlayed with Hugo Viana (-325) for -138 3.5u to win 2.55u
