Shark Fights 13 preview: Keith Jardine looks to fight his way back into the UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championships, the largest mixed martial arts promoter in the world, is known for having a pretty tough policy for cutting fighters. With so many great fighters in the world, losing a few fights in a row may lead to being cut, even if the fighter was once one of the biggest names in the UFC. But getting cut isn’t a personal matter-if a fighter is cut, he can win a fight or two in another organisation, and earn his way back in.
On Saturday, that’s exactly what ex-UFC veteran Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine will be looking to do. He was one of the highest profile fighters to ever be cut, with wins over UFC poster boys Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin and Brandon Vera. He was one fight away from getting a light heavyweight (205lb) title shot, challenging Quinton Jackson at UFC 96 and losing by a close decision. He went on to be knocked out by Thiago Silva at UFC 102, fell to Ryan Bader at UFC 110 by knockout, and lost another nail-biter to Matt Hamill in June. Four losses in a row, and he was cut.
But when he takes on Trevor Prangley at Shark Fights 13 in Amarillo, Texas on Saturday, he might be able to get back in with a fight.
Jardine’s form hasn’t been good recently, but he still has the style to give people fits. His herky-jerky striking style and unusual timing was famously described by UFC colour commentator, Joe Rogan, as being similar to being a chimpanzee doing karate. He’s got good takedown defence, and so he can neutralize his opponents’ wrestling. He’s not lost if he’s put on his back and can defend ably.
His big liability is his chin, which has caused him several first round knockout losses. Prangley has a lot power, and that’s exactly what he’ll be using. Prangley’s striking isn’t nearly so refined as Jardine’s, but he should have the power advantage. The South African will want to come out strong, and if he can’t use his wrestling (the 38-year-old once nearly made the South African Olympic team), he’ll want to wade in and overpower Jardine.
A victory over the moderately well-known Prangley should be able to get Jardine back into the UFC. Before losing by rear-naked choke to Tim Kennedy in June, Prangley was unbeaten in six fights, and had fought multiple times for Strikeforce, the second biggest MMA promoter in the States.
Prangley’s said he’s not ideally suited to fighting at 205lb, normally weighing in at 185lb, and that taking on top-level light heavyweights, like Jardine, isn’t in his interest-except for the potential reward.
"I've always said I'm a 185er. To be honest with you, I prefer to not fight guys the calibre of Keith Jardine at 205. The fight was just too good of an opportunity to pass up. High risk yields high rewards," he told MMAJunkie. "I don't care what the guy's record is. I've seen him fight; everybody has seen him fight. He's super dangerous. Just because the guy has a bad luck fight or gets caught a couple of times doesn't mean anything. It doesn't make you any less of a danger in the ring."
Jardine is coming in as a 5/2 favourite on most betting lines. The fight will be available on Pay-Per-View.
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