Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Zach Krantz: Cain's coming out party.  Yes, he has trouble finishing and needs to either develop more power with his ground and pound or some sort of submission game, but none of that takes away from the fact he has dominated his fights in the UFC.  I do not expect Cain to submit or even finish Rodrigo, but that is nothing new (for both fighters).  An impressive win for Cain will probably be met with some Nogueira critiquing, but Cain will prove he is the real deal with a decisive Unanimous Decision. 

Nick Becker: Plain and simple, I don't buy into the Velasquez hype. Defeating Ben Rothwell didn't make me a believer and if he throws the same weak ground strikes against Nogueira that he did against Cheick Kongo he get subbed pronto. Nogueira has the better boxing and when the fight hits the ground, "Minatauro" will hold the edge there too. Unless Big Nog is suffering from another severe staph infection I don't see how he'll lose. Nogueira via Submission Round 2.

Spencer Kyte:  Velasquez is the future of the division, but Nog isn't done quite yet. I expect this to be an absolute war, with Cain coming out strong and Nogueira doing what he does best - refusing to die and finding a submission late. Nogueira, Sub, Round 3.

Zak Woods: The way the heavyweight division currently stacks up this will be Cain's first real test (sorry Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo). Despite the youth vs. experience storyline we keep hearing, I think that Velasquez's skills are a poor match-up for Nogueira. For all the talk that Antonio has better striking his punches are slow and it should be easy for the younger Velasquez to avoid. I think if this fight stays on its feet we could see a lot of sloppy boxing with a great deal of clinch work. On the ground is where things get more dicey. Nogueira is an excellent submission artist and Cain's bread and butter is ground-and-pound--which skill will rise to the top? Personally, I believe with Nogueira's age and the collective toll of the damage he has suffered that he will be unable to complete a submission as he is pummeled in the face by Velasquez. Besides, Jon Fitch told me the closed guard was dead. Cain via Unanimous decision.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Michael Bisping

Zach Krantz: I go back on forth with this fight more than any other.  I mean Silva is 1-5 in his last six fights (granted against tough competition), but Michael Bisping is Michael Bisping.  As a fan it is hard to pick against the man/team you want to win, but I think Bisping is going to take this.  I expect "The Count" to get the takedown and finish it from there.  Silva's chin is no longer ironclad and enough moderate shots will do damage.  Bisping via TKO in round 2. 

Nick Becker: Man, this is a tough one to call. I believe that Bisping will try to employ the same strategy he did against Chris Leben, staying on the outside and countering Wand's wild strikes. The thing is at some point Silva will force his way inside and rock "The Count." When "The Axe Murderer" smells blood in the water, he'll go in for the kill and finish the fight in devastating fashion. Wandy by KO (of the Night) Round 2.

Spencer Kyte: Plain and simple: until Michael Bisping beats a big name, I won't pick him to beat a big name. Plus, Wanderlei is feisty heading into this match... expect an explosion! Wanderlei, TKO, Round 1.

Zak Woods: This fight is either a great style match-up for Bisping or a horrible one. That may sound like a cop-out but Bisping likes to run away roll out and counter strike. Wanderlei's desire to push forward may fall right into Bisping's roundhouse and as Silva's chin is a shadow of what it once was, he could very easily be knocked out with simple straight left. On the other hand, Bisping has been dropped by Denis Kang, Matt Hamill and Elvis Sinosic not to mention the epic KO at the hands of Dan Henderson. With Bisping's inability to avoid the most basic weapons of his opponent, e.g., circling into Henderson overhand right, and suspect chin, he could easily be felled by Wanderlei who still has striking power. Silva via TKO Round 2. Remember Matt Hamill!

SBN coverage of UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez

Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos

Zach Krantz: The hometown Aussie finally has a step up in competition in the UFC and we will get to actually see where he stands.  His DQ loss to Shinya Aoki was four years ago so we are not really sure how he will face against top competition.  However, Stevenson is too big a jump in competition for George.  The key to this fight is top position and combining Stevenson's wrestling with Greg Jackson will results in a Big Daddy finish in the second round 

Nick Becker: The improved stand-up skills of Joe Daddy will give him some confidence in the early-goings of the fight but at some point the fight will hit the mat where the underrated Sotiropolous will have a chance to showcase his top-notch submission game. There's a part of me that thinks Stevenson will grind out a decision win, but screw it I'll go with the underdog and say Sotiropolous via Submission (of the Night) Round 2.

Spencer Kyte: So much of me wants to pick the Aussie, but I just can't see him making the jump from beating Jason Dent to beating Joe Stevenson in one fight. Stevenson has great wrestling and the ability to control a fight from top position, as well as the better stand-up of the two. I wouldn't be shocked by an upset, but I don't expect one. Stevenson by Unanimous Decision.

Zak Woods: Stevenson is the better grappler and has been a smarter fighter since joining Greg Jackson. That is a bad mix for George who will be (a) making his main card debut and (b) overexcited as he is fighting in his native country. If Stevenson can survive an early swarm then George tires out and is submitted. Stevenson via Submission Round 2.

Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader

Zach Krantz: Bader's fight to lose.  Strong chin, big power, and dominating top control all lead to the same result.  A Ryan Bader victory, probably by KO. 

Nick Becker: If Bader goes balls out and storms the gates there's a great chance he'll put Jardine away early. If Bader tries to casually test out his stand-up game on Jardine he'll get eaten up by a barrage of leg and body kicks. Seeing as how "Darth" gassed out relatively quickly in his last fight, I believe that Jardine will wear Bader down in order to slow down his shot and curb his explosiveness. It's difficult to pick Jardine with any amount of certainty, but if he can survive the first two minutes, I see him rising to the occasion and thoroughly controlling the fight. Jardine by Unanimous Decision.

Spencer Kyte: If Jardine gets out of the first round, he wins. That funky style is too much to deal with, especially for a young kid like Bader. The Dean of Mean works with too many great wrestlers to not have solid takedown defense, and while his chin is suspect, he'll keep Bader guessing with the hunchback legkick assault of old. Jardine by Split Decision.

Zak Woods: We are going to learn a lot about Ryan Bader from this fight and I am excited to see what he brings to the table. Jardine's chin is always an issue so I am loathed to pick a fighter who may be knocked over by a stiff breeze. It will be interesting to see if Bader can get Jardine to the ground. If Keith can stuff the takedowns and move his head he could squeeze out a decision 29-28. But I think Ryan will narrowly pull this out. Bader Majority Decision.