Keith Jardine’s got another chance to shine.

Props: MMAMania

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will headline UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, but it won’t be against Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight crown as previously passed along right here at MMAmania.com.

Instead, the charismatic former 205-pound kingpin will challenge the very tough Keith Jardine, who himself was expected to face Luis Cane at UFC 97 in Montreal. It’s believed that Jackson earned a title shot against Rashad Evans after his big knockout win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92: “The Ultimate 2008? just last month; however, a deal could not be struck between both parties for the big money match.

Jardine’s had what can only be described as a “roller coaster career” while inside the UFC.  Let’s break it down in the most simplistic way imaginable (excluding his fights with Schall, Whitehead, Bonnar, and Gouveia):

• Destroys Forrest Griffin at UFC 66 (considered a big upset)
• Gets KTFO by Houston Alexander at UFC 71
• Defeats Chuck Liddell via split decision at UFC 76 (considered a big upset)
• Gets KTFO by Wanderlei Silva at UFC 84
• Defeats Brandon Vera via split decision at UFC 89.  (for me it was an upset)

Now, according to the way his past 5 fights have gone, it looks like he’s due for another upset win, and as quickly as people might write him off, I think that he stands a much better chance in defeating Rampage than most people think.  The two things I think will determine the outcome of this bout are:

1. Keith Jardine’s leg kicks
2. Rampage’s ability or inability to check those kicks

Take in point the fact that Forrest Griffin destroyed Rampage’s front leg with well-timed chopping kicks in their fight at UFC 86, which could have directly contributed to Rampage’s inability to captialize in the later rounds.  Keith Jardine is notorious for his hard ass kicks to the legs and midsection, he used them to TKO Kerry Schall, he used them to off-set Chuck Liddell, and you better believe he’s going to be getting the best of Rampage and pulling the upset if Jackson doesn’t learn how to properly defend a low kick.

Don’t get me wrong, Rampage could easily come out and connect one with one of his beautiful left or right hooks and put Jardine down before he gets in his groove and starts firing off, but I think Keith’s proved to be a very versatile and dangerous fighter, and I think that he’s going to have a serious advantage coming into the fight if Rampage doesn’t realize that he doesn’t check those goddam leg kicks.  I really like this match up, I think it’s a great fight to have as the main event, and I think Jardine could definitely walk away the winner.

**Side Note**

If Jardine wins, are we going to see two of Greg Jackson’s fighters fighting for the UFC light heavyweight title?  That’d be a pretty strange fight….but I’m sure both would be willing to do it regardless of their friendship.