Keith Jardine makes it:
Michael David Smith: When I look at the stylistic matchup between you and Rampage, I think the advantage you have is that you can use kicks effectively to pick him apart from distance, whereas the advantage Rampage has is his punching power. Do you think that's true?
Keith Jardine: I don't know, we'll see who has the better punching power. He's put a lot of guys to sleep, but I've done pretty well myself, so we'll see about that. I look forward to finding out. I'm not ready to concede that he has better punching power.
So you think if you and Rampage are exchanging strikes, you can come out of that exchange ahead?
Absolutely.
Jardine's open style causes him to have inconsistent performances aganst top competitors and his chin appears to be tappable to those in the elite class with elite power who work close range. So whether Jardine has the overall skills to challenge Rampage in the stand-up isn't necessarily related to punching power and not the issue. As Michael David Smith suggests, a fighter like Jardine who is good at utilizing range is best served not trading with a fighter like Rampage who is clearly the more powerful puncher and can take advantage of Jardine's liabilities. If Jardine believes he can get on the inside and work from the pocket reliably over the course of the fight, there is a more than decent probability he is going to sleep.
