Report: Keith Jardine to Fight Brandon Vera at UFC 89

by Luke Thomas on Jul 23, 2008 2:26 PM EDT in MMA News

A source tells Cage Potato that Keith Jardine will be the next opponent for Brandon Vera following his decision win over Reese Andy this past Saturday. The match seems to indicate that Vera’s stay in the light heavyweight division may be longer than he might have liked.

Jardine needs a victory after his TKO loss to Wanderlei Silva at UFC 84, and going against the once-highly touted heavyweight prospect Vera gives him a golden opportunity to get back in the running for the UFC’s light heavyweight title.

Junkie has a similar report.

You knew the UFC wouldn't let Vera back to heavyweight that easily. Just like Mike Swick had problems at first with the cut to welterweight, the UFC is probably banking on an improved performance from Vera at this weight once he gets used to the cut.

Second, a lot of people may not know this, but Vera and Jardine have trained together on a fairly extensive basis. This isn't to say "they know each other's game" exactly, but each might have to be a little more creative if/when they battle to edge out the win.

Personally, I think everyone is looking to Vera's power and kicks to take advantage of Jardine's tappable chin, but I suspect it's Vera's ground acumen that could more easily be the decider. We shall see.

HT: reader asmiley420

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Comments

If Vera is as sluggish as he was Saturday, he will lose.

I really hope he isn’t and KO’s Jardine in impressive fashion.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Jul 23, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

I think he’s a good addition to LHW. Personally I don’t think he’s big or experienced enough to hang with the HW’s.

by monkeyfightclub! on Jul 23, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

I agree that he is a nice addition to LHW and his size probably fits there better.

But, I think he is ok at HW also. His size is fine, except when fighting guys like Silvia or Lesner. He smoked Mir and got a bad deal against Werdum, though he probably would have lost anyways. Overall, UFC’s HW division is pretty thin and has a lot of newer guys, so I think there will still be fights for him over 205. he is a good example of having a 205-235 division.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Jul 23, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this fight. Both guys have a lot to prove, and I suspect it will stay standing. I like that they’re not just going to feed Vera cans.

I’m curious who Wanderlei is going to fight next. My guess is the plan was/is Quinton, but who knows the status of that now.

by Michael Rome on Jul 23, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe Soko or Bonnar.

by lovingmma25 on Jul 23, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think I can take another Jardine KO. I think Jardine will come in pissed and ready to take Vera apart. He’ll come in like he did when he beat Chuck.

For his fight with W. Silva, he may have felt that b/c he beat Chuck and Chuck beat W. Silva that it was going to be a cakewalk. He won’t come in with that mindset again, if that was the case. He should have learned from his fight with Houston Alexander to never underestimate, but I think he is going to fight totally different from this point on.

by lovingmma25 on Jul 23, 2008 2:39 PM EDT reply actions