Rafael Suanes USA TODAY Sports
Recent bantamweight title challenger Eddie Wineland will be returning to action on the UFC on FOX 10 card in Chicago as he will square off against Yves Jabouin. The January 25 matchup has the potential to be a standout 135-pound affair as Wineland is a charge-forward, aggressive fighter, while Jabouin has shown over the years to have a diversified striking style with both his punches and kicks.
Wineland is obviously looking to work his way back up the ladder after his loss at UFC 165 against interim champion Renan Barao. Wineland fell prey to a spinning back kick to the face in the second round and was subsequently finished by TKO. It was the first time in his career that he had been stopped via strikes.
While his UFC record of 2-3 is not terribly impressive, keep in mind that the losses have come against Barao, Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez. Wineland did accomplish something no other fighter has done by knocking out Scott Jorgensen in a Fight of the Night performance. Wineland has 10 knockouts and five submission finishes in 20 career victories.
Like Wineland, Jabouin also came over from the WEC. He’s 4-2 in the UFC and most recently registered a hard-fought split-decision victory over Dustin Pague at UFC 161. He’s also recorded Octagon triumphs against Ian Loveland, Walel Watson and Jeff Hougland. Jabouin has won four of his five contests since making the move down to the bantamweight division, with that lone blemish coming against the hard-hitting Brad Pickett.
“Tiger” has definite finishing abilities with 11 of his 19 career victories having come by way of knockout. However, all of his UFC victories so far have come by way of decision.
This contest definitely has the makings of an all-action affair. Both men possess tremendous striking skills and technique, and both are highly motivated. The no. 4 ranked Wineland wants to keep his name in the title picture, while Jabouin will be looking to continue his late-career surge. If the 34-year old Jabouin can knock off a top-five opponent in Wineland, he would definitely earn himself another high-profile matchup down the road.
Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports
