Tito Ortiz (16-6-1) vs. Forrest Griffin (16-6)

Zach Kratnz: Off all the fights this is the one I am most unsure of.  Between Tito's long lay off and Forrest last performance I am not sure who is showing up.  Outside of the Shamrock KO, Tito does not have huge knockout power, but Forrest does not have the best chin.  However, Forrest did look good against Rashad until the third round and I expect him to use his kicks to wear down a ring rusted Tito.  Forrest via unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: It's clear that both men desperately need a win here.  Griffin needs to prove he still belongs at the top of fight cards, while Ortiz needs to prove he can definitively defeat someone other than Ken Shamrock.  I know I'm going way out on a limb here, but I see Ortiz coming out like he did in the first round of their first fight, landing the double-leg takedown and then punishing Griffin with non-stop elbows.  Griffin's last fight seems to have shattered his psyche and I believe he'll crumble under the pressure as soon as he faces adversity.  Ortiz via TKO in Round 1.

Zak Woods: Forrest Griffin is a different fighter than the one who lost a split decision to Tito Ortiz. Combine that with Ortiz's black eye (never a good sign when a fighter is beaten up from sparring sessions) plus Griffin's desperate need of a win and it looks like the stars are aligning for the TUF veteran. Yet, I picked Ortiz earlier this week and I won't be labeled a flip-flopper god damn it! I have principles. Ortiz via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: People may not be overly excited for this fight, but I'm not one of them. I want to see what each guy brings to the table; Forrest after getting embarrassed by Silva and Tito after surgery and a year-plus removed from the cage. If an unhealthy Tito beat a healthy and mentally-sharp Griffin last time out, why wouldn't a healthy Tito do the same now? Ortiz by Unanimous Decision.

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Josh Koscheck (15-4) vs. Anthony Johnson (8-2)

Nick Becker: Let's get one thing straight: If Koscheck utilizes all of his assets, he will win a dull decision.  Since I hate decisions, I'm going the other way.  I think Koscheck's aggressiveness and penchant for slugging it out will cost him dearly as he'll have his lights switched off during an early exchange.  This time though, he won't be flash-KO'd - he'll be out cold. "Rumble" by KO (of the Night) Round 1.

Zach Kratnz: Koscheck has said this fight is not going to the judges, he will get knocked out.  Koscheck also said he has to fight smart, Koscheck will win.  Anthony Johnson is a solid prospect, but we still do not know if his ground game has improved.  This fight is dependent on two factors: how Koscheck fights and Johnson's takedown defense.  I expect Koscheck to look to trade and Johnson to win via KO Round 2.

Zak Woods: For some reason I think Josh Koscheck will go all Sean Sherk on us and stand and trade with Anthony Johnson. As long as Johnson makes weight, which it looks like he will, then he will be able to Paulo Thiago Josh Koscheck. Anthony Johnson via TKO Round 2.

E. Spencer Kyte: If Koscheck gets back to wrestling and looks to make this a marathon instead of a sprint, he wins this fight, but those are two big IFs. I like Johnson, but I don't know if I like him enough to beat a Top 5 welterweight yet... Koscheck by Unanimous Decision.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Paulo Thiago (11-1) vs. Jake Volkmann (9-0)

Zach Kratnz: Honestly I have never seen Volkmann fight.  I know he is a strong wrestler, solid prospect, and fights out of Minnesota Martial Arts.  Going off generalities I assume Volkmann wants to take the fight to ground and Thiago is a solid grappler.  Thiago via rear naked choke in Round 1.

Nick Becker: I'm sure Paulo Thiago is glad he isn't facing what would've been his third straight top-five welterweight opponent, Thiago Alves.  After taking on Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch, Thiago has finally been given a relatively easy opponent: Nikolai Volkoff.  Wait....what's that?  He's not facing Nikolai Volkoff, he's facing Jacob Volkmann?  *crickets*  Thiago via Submission (of the Night). 

Zak Woods: Is Paulo Thiago any good or was he just extremely lucky against Josh Koscheck? We will find out on Saturday. Paulo Thiago via submission Round 2.

E. Spencer Kyte: As much as I want to pick "Christmas" as we head into the holidays, Thiago hung tough against Jon Fitch for 15 minutes last time out and has a more proven track record to go on. Thiago by submission, Round 2.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Luiz Cane (11-1-1) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (17-3)

Nick Becker: Here's my (and everyone else's) pick for Fight of the Night.  I am really optimistic that we'll see an epic war that echoes the classic 2005 Shogun-Nogueira PRIDE Middleweight GP fight.  I see these guys battling all over the Octagon and bringing the crowd to its feet on multiple occasions.  In a back-and-forth battle that makes this event worth every penny, I've got Nogueira by Unanimous Decision in the Fight of the Night and Fight of the Year.

Zach Kratnz: In my preview I said Cane could pull the upset.  That is true and his striking can get it done, but Nogueira is the more experienced and well round fighter.  It will show as Nogueira takes the fight to the mat gets the triple tap from Cane in Round 3.

Zak Woods: I am going with Nogueira based upon past Pride performances but I really have no idea if that fighter will show up. Nogueira via submission Round 3.

E. Spencer Kyte: Cane is going to be a contender for a while at 205, but Nogueira is just too experienced to not get the nod in his UFC debut. Nogueira by Unanimous Decision.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Amir Sadollah (1-1) vs. Phil Baroni (13-11)

Zach Kratnz: We know what Baroni is and we know he is on the downswing.  The jury is still out on Sadollah and he obviously has more upside.  Sadollah via clever dialogue, I mean submission.

Nick Becker: From the WTF files, comes this gem: Baroni vs. Sadollah on the main card of a $50 pay-per-view.  Right on Zuffa, way to kick your fans in the nuts.  Really, I have no idea what to expect from this one.  I mean, could we be so lucky as to get a double-KO?  Probably not.  Baroni via Awesome Entrance and Flashy Robe.

Zak Woods: If Amir Sadollah loses this fight he will branded as the worst TUF winner EVER! That should motivate Sadollah to keep a high motor ad wait for Baroni to gas out. Amir via submission Round 2.

E. Spencer Kyte: Amir needs this win more than Baroni and there is nothing outside of getting caught with a big punch early that prevents him from earning a win. Sadollah by submission, Round 2.

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Ben Saunders (7-1-2) vs. Marcus Davis (21-6)

Nick Becker: Ben Saunders' reach reminds me of the old Michael Jordan "Wings" poster I used to have in my bedroom right next to the poster of a blonde chick in a bikini standing in front of a yellow Lamborgini Diablo holding an AK-47.  Wait, where was I?  Oh yeah, Ben Saunders has long arms and a great clinch.  No matter, "The Irish Hand Grenade" will explode in his face halfway through the second stanza.  Davis via TKO Round 2.  

Zach Kratnz: Marcus Davis will Knock Out Saunders whenever he wants to.

Zak Woods: I still think Ben Saunders is overrated (who has he beaten again?). Marcus Davis via TKO.

E. Spencer Kyte: Marcus Davis.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Kendall Grove (12-6) vs. Jake Rosholt (6-1)

Zach Kratnz: Jake's striking looked significantly better and as long as he keeps his neck out of Kendall's armpit we will see a Rosholt unanimous decision.

Nick Becker: For some bizarre reason I get the feeling that Kendall Grove will insist on wearing his Cool Guy^TM shades during this fight.  As always, I will be rooting against "Da Spyder" just because the thought of him doing another Gravedigger celebration sometimes makes me wake up in the middle of the night drenched in a cold sweat. Luckily, I think that Rosholt's relentless wrestling and smothering pace will overwhelm Grove and lead to the judges' nod.  Rosholt by Unanimous Decision.

Zak Woods: I don't trust Kendall Grove so I am going with the bookies baby! Jake Rosholt via TKO Round 1.

E. Spencer Kyte: Jake Rosholt.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Brock Larson (27-3) vs. Brian Foster (14-4)

Zach Kratnz: I really, really want to pick Foster.  He put on a great fight against story and likes to stand and bang.  Larson has to be pissed though coming off that loss to Pierce.  Unless he gets sloppy trying to stand and trade expect a win for Larson via submission.

Nick Becker: This is the perfect bounce-back fight for Larson.  ‘Nuff said.  Larson by TKO Round 2.

Zak Woods: I thought that when Brock Larson came to the UFC from the WEC he would put together an impressive string of victories and find himself in the top-ten of the division (like #9). Instead Larson has to go and lose to Mike "freaking" Pierce. A nobody!  Look for Larson to rebound with solid wrestling/grappling. Larson via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Brock Larson.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Caol Uno (25-12-4) vs. Fabricio Camoes (10-4)

Nick Becker: I really want to see Uno win this fight and not just because he personally signed and gave me one of his trading cards when I saw him in Las Vegas during UFC 100 weekend.  I want to see him win because he is Saiko!  Uno via Unanimous Decision.

Zach Kratnz: Uno via unanimous decision.

Zak Woods: Caol Uno via unanimous decision.

E. Spencer Kyte: Caol Uno

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

George Sotiropoulos (10-2) vs. Jason Dent (19-10)

Zach Kratnz: George is a solid grappler and large lightweight. Grappling skill will protect him against Dent and size will let him bully dent around.  The Australian gets some good ground and pound for a Round 2 TKO.

Nick Becker: Sotiropoulos and Dent are both riding four-fight win streaks going into this bout.  The difference is that Sotiropoulos' submission skills are vastly superior to anything Dent has to offer.  Sotiropoulos by Submission. Round 2.   

Zak Woods: George is Australian and the UFC is headed "down under" so we can expect that the Zuffa brass  will want Sotiropoulos on that card and coming off of a win. Oh, he is also favored by -485. Sotiropoulos via TKO. 

E. Spencer Kyte: George Sotiropoulos

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2