UFC 106 Quick Picks

I'm not very excited about this particular UFC. I had it marked on my calendar when Carwin was challenging Lesnar and moving Tito and Forrest to main event status just didn't cut it for me. Nevertheless, here are my picks for a PPV that lost a lot of it's luster after losing a title bout, a great match-up between Jon Fitch and Ricardo Almeida (due to an injury to Almeida), and Karo Parisyan (which, in the long run, won't be such a big loss to the UFC since he was mainly gatekeeper as of late).

Preliminary Card (Non-televised)
* Lightweight bout: George Sotiropoulos vs. Jason Dent
GS should pull this one out. Last time I saw him was a few seasons ago on TUF and in that season's finale. He seemed to have a greater skill set but Dent has proven to be a tough nut to crack. May be FotN candidate were it not buried on the card.
-- Sotiropoulos by TKO, Rd 3

* Lightweight bout: Caol Uno vs. Fabricio Camoes
Is there any real doubt who wins this?
-- Uno by sub, Rd 2

* Welterweight bout: Brock Larson vs. Brian Foster
Seems more like filler and not a fight that will elevate either fighter unless htey win in SPECTACULAR fashion and get featured on the main card.
-- Larson by KO, Rd 1

Preliminary Card (Spike TV)
* Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove vs. Jake Rosholt
'Da Spida' is back but having to face a tough, young opponent in Rosholt. This won't be a picnic for either man and I'm leaning towards Grove JUST on experience alone. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jake come out of this with the W, tho.
-- Grove by decision

* Welterweight bout: Ben Saunders vs. Marcus Davis
Saunders has gotten nastier EVERY TIME he steps in the Octagon but the Irish Hand Grenade is going to be his greatest test to date. I hate to see either of these guys lose but tonight may be a chance for Saunders to prove he needs to be in the discussion for future contenders to the Welterweight title. Should be a war.
-- Saunders by decision

Main Card
* Welterweight bout: Amir Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni
If I were picking with my heart I'd pick Amir all day every day because I hate Baroni THAT MUCH. But he has one last UFC run in him (similar to Frank Trigg). It's hard to say what baggage he's bringing with him. He was 5-5 in the UFC by the time he left in 2005. Re-established himself in Pride with a decent run (4-2) in a year and a half. But he is 3-4 since leaving Pride and 0-3 in televised broadcasts in that run (with EliteXC and Strikeforce). It simply isn't enough to be brought back IMO.
Nevertheless, with that said, usign my head it's hard to actually pick Amir over the NY Bad Ass. Amir hasn't shown much since winning his season of TUF against CB Dolloway. Losing to Jonny Hendricks was a tough loss and one he needs to bounce back from. I'd love to see it happen but If Baroni can clip him early Amir's UFC dreams could be over almost as quickly as they begun.
-- Baroni by TKO, Rd 1

* Light Heavyweight bout: Luiz Cane vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Luis Cane is a tough opponent to debut with but I expect Lil Nog to make a splash in his UFC debut! (If he can avoid some of Cane's big strikes early)
-- Lil Nog by sub, Rd 2

* Welterweight bout: Paulo Thiago vs. Jacob Volkmann
Thsi fight was moved up from the undercard. Gotta admit I could do without this fight on the main card but who am I, right? Thiago is bouncing back from a tough decision loss to Fitch and is facing a debuting Volkmann (fighting out of Minnesota MMA). Octagon experience once again plays a role here as I expect Thiago to take this one. But it won't be easy.
-- Thiago by decision

* Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson
This one promises to be another nasty fight with two guys who know how to put on a show and can fight with more emotion than brains at times. Here's another fight where I'd hate to see either one of these guys lose but... I'm going with Koscheck on this one. Rumble's ground game leaves a lot to be desired and if this goes to the ground he'll suffer a little. I suspect Kos will stand and bang with his for at least one full round but will eventually take use his ground game to his advantage.
-- Koscheck by TKO, Rd 3

* Light Heavyweight bout: Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin
It's always hard to pick against a fan favorite like Forrest Griffin but stepping in on short notice to take on Tito may be a bit too much for me. Tito is coming back 100% healthy. No back problems. And he's hungry to re-establish himself in the MMA landscape and, more specifically, get himself in the title hunt once again. Perhaps a win here will set-up a #1 contender shot for the Huntington Beach Bad Boy? We'll see, but he's gotta put on a good show against Forrest. Granted Griffin won't lose as badly as he did to Anderson Silva, but I expect him to lose. (Kills me to say that).
-- Tito by TKO, Rd 2