UFC 106: Preview and Predictions on Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 2
- 18Comments
- Say Something »
11/20/2009 6:30 AM ET By Michael David Smith
-
- Michael David Smith
- Michael David Smith is FanHouse's Lead Blogger
UFC 106 went from one of the biggest pay-per-view cards of the year to one of the weakest when UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar had to pull out of his fight with Shane Carwin. But you'll still get some good fights if you purchase the pay-per-view on Saturday night, and we've got the full preview of those fights below.
What: UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2
When: The non-televised undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, the Spike TV card starts at 9 and the pay-per-view card starts at 10.
Where: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
Predictions on the four pay-per-view fights:
Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin
The first fight between Ortiz and Griffin was a very exciting back-and-forth battle, but I'm not expecting the same kind of fight this time around. I think Griffin, coming off an embarrassing knockout loss to Anderson Silva, will fight a more tactical fight, and Ortiz will be unable to take him down and unable to hang with him in the stand-up.
Predicted winner: Griffin
Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson
Give credit to both Koscheck and Johnson for agreeing to take this fight on short notice. If Johnson can make the 170-pound welterweight limit and beat a Top 10 fighter like Koscheck, I think he could be getting close to a title fight in 2010. But I look for Koscheck to use his superior wrestling to grind out a decision.
Predicted winner: Koscheck
Paulo Thiago vs. Jacob Volkmann
This fight was a late addition to the pay-per-view card after Karo Prisyan dropped out of his bout with Dustin Hazelett. I was at Volkmann's last fight and came away impressed with his aggressive jiu jitsu style, but I don't think he's quite ready for an opponent like Thiago.
Predicted winner: Thiago
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Luiz Cane
This might actually be a better light heavyweight fight than the main event. Nogueira, making his long-awaited UFC debut, is one of the best Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners at 205 pounds. Cane, whose only career loss was by disqualification, is one of the best strikers in the division. I'm excited about their clash of styles, and I see Cane winning the fight.
Predicted winner: Cane
Amir Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni
This is one of those fights that we're seeing on TV more because of the fighters' personalities than their MMA skills. Sadollah is a former Ultimate Fighter winner, while Baroni is the "New York Bad Ass" who talks a good game. I think the UFC set this fight up because it wanted to give Sadollah a win over an opponent casual fans will consider credible, and I think Sadollah will get that win.
Predicted winner: Sadollah
Follow along on Saturday night with FanHouse's live UFC 106 coverage and UFC Twitter updates.
Read More: UFC UFC+106, Ufc106
- 18Comments
- Say Something »
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
If Tito beats Forrest he'll be on a three-fight losing streak and we'll know forever that Forrest being a champion was a fluke combined with bad judging vs. Rampage.
good
When the best fight on the card is Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Luiz Cane, you know that you have a terrible PPV card. Cane/Nogueira is a good fight (I'm not taking anything away from them), but this is a PPV card!
The UFC is counting on the popularity of Tito and Forrest to sell PPV buys, even though the fight isn't particularly relevant in the LHW division. The winner of this fight will almost definitely lose their next fight (if they fight a contender).
Griffin
Johnson
Thiago
Cane
Sadollah (Baroni has crazy power & may get the early KO)
I agree with you, Eric. Ortiz-Griffin would have been fun as a co-main event before Lesnar got sick, but as a main event it's really weak. I want pay-per-view main events to be title fights or at least fights where the winner would be next in line for a title shot, and that's certainly not the case here.
I would like to counter you, Mr. Smith, and say that Rumble Johnson will win this via KO. I don't think Koscheck will try to grind this one out. He'll try to make a statement. And I think that'll be his undoing. I just don't see him tagging the taller, longer and (arguably) stronger Anthony Johnson.
As far as your other picks . . . yeah, I pretty much agree. I'm hopeful for Tito. He says he's back and training as hard as ever with a healthy back. But only time will tell. If he wins this fight (in convincing fashion) then it will be interesting to see how he stands up to the rest of the division.
you know what really sucks?
this card as a ppv!
i hate chipping in, in anyway for this....
however, i'm a fan and i look forward to watching mma, so i'm stuck.
do i think it's worth it?
as a whole, no!
however, as a fan and as someone that can afford to pay for something that i enjoy, i will pay.
i want griffin, however, i think tito will win.
i want koschek, however, johnson by ko.
thiago/volkmann? i really don't care.
nog/cane....should be best fight on card...nod to nog.
amir/baroni? how can anyone root for baroni? i like amir in this one. he should win.
overall, like i said seems like a lame card with no real main event.
We vote with out pocket book. If you purchase this you are saying you approve of this card.
i think tito and noguiera win their fights.
My picks are:
Forrest Griffin
Rogerio Nogueira
Anthony Johnson
Paulo Thiago
Amir Sadollah
My Picks:
Tito Ortiz (TKO - GnP)
Anthony Johnson (KO RD 2)
Paulo Thiago (Decision)
Noguiera (Submission)
Baroni (TKO)
I'm surprised to see people picking Lil Nog. Cane is a serious banger and Nog likes to stand and trade. Nog rarely relies on his Jiu-Jitsu (only 2 subs in the past 5 years).
I think the edge will lie with Lil Nog in terms of experience, even though it's been a while since he fought. Beyond that I cannot say.
Griffin layed down for Silva. He obviously was getting his ass kicked and had had enough. There was no power in Silva's punch that put him down. Look @ the slo mo.
brock will destory fedor.....johnny#5,,,you are a boob.....i would destroy you just like brock will destroy fedor......BROCK RULES ALL!!!!
You dumbass,,,ortiz is a punk,as you are.....he will get hammered.....brock rules all!!!!!!!
thats because the best fighter in the world isnt on the card...BROCK THE ROCK!!!!!!!!
brock is a bitch he cant fight toe to toe he has to fight everyone chest to chest!!!!
When are you going to make predictions for UFC 107 Michael Davis Smith? Interested in what you think about the matchups.
Thanks