UFC 106 Preview and Predictions
By Curtis Clontz on Nov 21, 2009
Its fight day and almost time for people to come over and enjoy the fights. The card is a good one, not great like first thought, but at least good. The key match up of Forrest and Tito is interesting enough to purchase this fight. Here we go with out preview and predictions. This time around I have recruited some help for the big time fights. Scott will let us know his opinions, odds are they will be very different from mine. This P and P came all the way from the crew over at The Curtis and Kyle show!
The card will officially get underway on Spike an hour early. That is where we will start!
Kendall Grove vs. Jake Rosholt
More than a year ago Kendall Grove was in a bout to save his career. Since that time he won one and lost one. Coming off of that loss he will be looking to right the ship against a game opponent in Rosholt.
Rosholt busted onto the scene impressively when he choked out Chris Leben. IN this fight he will look to produce his second straight upset and prove that he is an important part of this division.
Prediction:
Jake took a beating from Leben before he sunk in a nasty choke to finish the fight. That was great, but it wont happen again. Kendall Grove’s high gives most fighters fits, and it will do it in this one as well.
Grove vis TKO
Ben Saunders vs. Marcus Davis
Ben Saunders could be working on a new nickname. Big Ben is 6’3 and his Thai has been smashing people, well until he faced Mike Swick. Ben is a beast and will be ready to rebound!
Marcus Davis is if nothing else one of the most exciting gate keepers of the UFC. He is a fan favorite and has been a fixture of the UFC for some time. This is a very important fight for him, a loss puts him in a bad spot and a long way from a title shot. A win puts him a few fights out of a shot.
Prediction:
As much as I would love to see Marcus come back with a great performance to show the world that he is still one of the best boxers in the UFC, I am not sure if that is going to happen. He has been concentrating on his ground game and I foresee him abandoning his hands. Big Ben is going to use his height and stand up skills to control the fight. Watch out for those knees!
Ben Saunders via TKO
Amir Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni
Phil, Phil, Phil…What is there to say. He has tried to be Rick Flair in MMA for a long time, unfortunately he hasn’t been able to back up the dancing. He is back with the UFC in their recent move to hire all the old guys. Amir is in need of a win, and this could be one that is gift wrapped.
Prediction
Merry Christmas Amir, the are giving you an old, washed up opponent. That being said, if Amir isn’t ready he could get caught. I see Amir winning this one, but a lot closer of a fight than many are predicting.
Amir by unanimous decision
Scott: I personally have never been a Phil Baroni fan, but Amir is just a kid in comparison. This fight is a little like fighting your Dad. Do you know how strong our dad is? Old man strength sound familiar? I also have inside information from a friend and ex-training partner of Amir who told me that he is getting a little full of himself and becoming close minded.
Luiz Cane vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Cane gets the priveledge to welcome the other Nog to the UFC. Cane is no easy target, he has won three straight and a win here would be huge for his career.
Little Nog is finally making his long awaited appearance to the UFC. He better be ready for the glam, lights, and hype that comes with it.
Prediction
This one is easy, Cane want this fight to stay standing. He needs to land that strong left hand. If not then he is in for trouble. Nog is incredible on the mat and if it goes there you can pretty much count on a submission. Since most fights go to the ground at some point…
Nog by submission (arm bar)
Scott: Nog is just Nog. Just like his big brother he has good hands, outstanding jits and a chin of iron. Cain will probable start feelling out the striking game and score a takedown off the cage. However once it gets there Cain will be in over his head.
Nog will score a slick submission.
Paulo Thiago vs. Jacob Volkmann
This fight got bumped to the TV card when Karo Parisyan was not able to fight. That means that both of these fighters will get to showcase their best for millions. Paulo took that chance in his first UFC bout with a nasty KO win over Josh Koscheck. This awarded him a fight with John Fitch. He lost that one and drew Jacob Volkmann this time around.
Jacob Volkmann may not have the name of a Josh Koscheck, but he is arguably just as good a wrestler. He is a three time D1 All American and four time all Big Ten wrestler.
Prediction
Thiago is a good fighter. He deserves to be in the UFC, but this could be a bad draw. This is my upset special of the card. Volkmann may not be a seasoned vet, but his 9-0 record is impressive. His wrestling will allow him to control the fight and squeek out the win.
Volkmann by split decision
Scott: I don’t know too much about Volkmann except the fact that he is an all American wrestler. That being said I’m going with Thiago because when Volkmann is in doubt of what to do, as a wrestler he will shoot. That will be a mistake with Thiago. Ill go out on a limb and call a triangle.
Thiago by submission
Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson
In recent polls, this fight has been voted the most anticipated fight on the card. Anthony Johnson is one of the most talented, up and coming fighters in the organization. This is without a doubt the toughest test of his young career. If he is not ready for a war then he will be in trouble.
If Koscheck is going to win this one then he needs to get back to what got him this far, his wrestling. If he has too much confidence in his hands then he could get knocked out. If he makes this a boring wrestling (lay N pray) type of fight then he will win convincingly.
Prediction
Runble is on fire of late. He has momentum and is without a doubt the future, but he matches up bad for Kos. Kos is going to take him down over and over controlling he fight right into a decision win.
Koscheck by unanimous decision
Johnson by KO/TKO
Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin
I can’t wait for this fight. It is sort of a return match for both fighters. For Tito it is the return to the organization that helped him build his empire. For Griffin, it is the return of heartbroken fighter that sprinted out of the cage after getting destroyed by Anderson Silva. This is going to be a battle!
Prediction
Tito has a picture/ mural at his training center of him punching Forrest. If he is going to win he is going to have to a lot more of that, followed by a take down. Putting Forrest on his back is the easiest way to get his hand raised.
Anderson Silva made Forrest look like he didn’t belong in the same cage as him. People are doubting his skills, his championship run, and chin. The easiest way to silence the critics is to shut down Tito Ortiz.
Prediction
I don’t know why, but I think Tito is going to come to the cage in the best shape in a very long time. He is going to be ready to brawl, have a good game plan, and push Forrest until he breaks. It is a three round fight, so I don’t think he will finish him.
Tito by decision
Scott: Who knows how Tito’s gonna look, he hasn’t fought in 18 month. Add in back surgery and the fact that the last time he beat a proven title contender was Vitor Belford in ’05. Tito is also the weakest mental fighter in the UFC. If he doubts himself at all be will quit under someone as scrappy as Forrest.
Forrest by decision.
Picture from Bloodyelbow.com
Filed Under: MMA
