Tito Ortiz (+120) risking 2 Units
This was a hard fight for me to pick honestly, but one I've slowly come to love. While I very much like Forrest Griffin, and think he's much improved since the last time these two fought, I still see the gap in his game. Tito is a far superior wrestler, has a good chin, and can bang with the best of them. He's also in the best shape of his career, and looks truly refocused and hungry. I look for this one to possibly go to a decision again, with Ortiz the winner.
Anthony Johnson (-111) for 2 Units
Very short layoff for Anthony "Rumble" Johnson here, which is why he's not getting support from the linesmakers here. While his last fight was indeed, only a month ago, it only lasted 41 seconds, which is why Johnson was cleared to fight so soon. What I like most about it, his camp was preparing for a wrestler in Yoshida with his sprawl game. So techcnically he was preparing for this fight all along. It's a big chance for Johnson to step up in the rankings against Josh Koscheck, and possibly be in contention to fight GSP. I like the value I'm getting in this fight, and look for Rumble to KO Koscheck.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (-115) for 2 Units
Most people are only familar with the "other" Nogueira, but this one's no joke either. At 17-3, with mainly international fights under his belt, Antonio Rogerio is out to prove there's room for 2 Nogueira's in UFC. Don't forget, this is the same guy who beat Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem twice, submitted Dan Henderson, beat the crap out of the legendary Kazushi Sakurabaa, and swept the floors with The Janitor. While Luis Cane is a skilled guy, and a true up and comer in the sport, I just feel that he lacks the knowledge of the lesser known, but better qualified Nogueira.
Paulo Thiago (-168) for 2 Units
Paulo Thiago Alencar Artunes, the #6 ranked welterweight in the world is not as well known as his counterparts in his weight class, but he has loads of talent. Not to mention, he's an honorable guy as well, and not someone to mess with. Paulo is a member of BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Especiais), which is an elite special forces unit in the miliary police, and members need to be trained in urban warfare. It is one of the most efficient military forces in South America. He is also a Grand Prix Planaltina champion, which obviously means he had to fight 3 different guys in the same night. While his UFC debut has been mixed, the awesome KO of top contender Josh Koscheck, to the loss at UFC 100 against Jon Fitch in Thiago's United States debut, I look for the butterflies of the trip to the United States to be out of the way, and the tougher man to win this fight. By the way, if you have Matchbook, this # is a steal.
Phil Baroni (+216) risking 1 Unit
I know everyone's laughing at me right now, but did you watch the weigh-ins? Phil Baroni is in tremendous shape. This is his shot. Maybe his only shot in the states for that matter. Dana White has given the New York Bad Ass, one more shot at making it in UFC, and since he burnt a bridge with Strikeforce, he can't **** this up. I don't like that I'm going against sharp money with this one, and backing a guy that lost every big fight of his career, but I think he takes this one. He should overpower the newcomer Sadollah, who tends to be lazy at times and is more of a stamina type fighter. I'll be suprised if he can weather the early storm.
Marcus Davis (-220) for 1 Unit
The Irish Hand Grenade Marcus Davis is coming off a tough decision to the #1 contender Dan Hardy at UFC 99, and is looking to move his way BACK into contention for the title against GSP. His only two losses in the past 3 years have been against Mike Swick, and Hardy. Did I mention that he fought 15 times in that period against stiff competition?
This was a hard fight for me to pick honestly, but one I've slowly come to love. While I very much like Forrest Griffin, and think he's much improved since the last time these two fought, I still see the gap in his game. Tito is a far superior wrestler, has a good chin, and can bang with the best of them. He's also in the best shape of his career, and looks truly refocused and hungry. I look for this one to possibly go to a decision again, with Ortiz the winner.
Anthony Johnson (-111) for 2 Units
Very short layoff for Anthony "Rumble" Johnson here, which is why he's not getting support from the linesmakers here. While his last fight was indeed, only a month ago, it only lasted 41 seconds, which is why Johnson was cleared to fight so soon. What I like most about it, his camp was preparing for a wrestler in Yoshida with his sprawl game. So techcnically he was preparing for this fight all along. It's a big chance for Johnson to step up in the rankings against Josh Koscheck, and possibly be in contention to fight GSP. I like the value I'm getting in this fight, and look for Rumble to KO Koscheck.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (-115) for 2 Units
Most people are only familar with the "other" Nogueira, but this one's no joke either. At 17-3, with mainly international fights under his belt, Antonio Rogerio is out to prove there's room for 2 Nogueira's in UFC. Don't forget, this is the same guy who beat Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem twice, submitted Dan Henderson, beat the crap out of the legendary Kazushi Sakurabaa, and swept the floors with The Janitor. While Luis Cane is a skilled guy, and a true up and comer in the sport, I just feel that he lacks the knowledge of the lesser known, but better qualified Nogueira.
Paulo Thiago (-168) for 2 Units
Paulo Thiago Alencar Artunes, the #6 ranked welterweight in the world is not as well known as his counterparts in his weight class, but he has loads of talent. Not to mention, he's an honorable guy as well, and not someone to mess with. Paulo is a member of BOPE (Batalhão de Operações Especiais), which is an elite special forces unit in the miliary police, and members need to be trained in urban warfare. It is one of the most efficient military forces in South America. He is also a Grand Prix Planaltina champion, which obviously means he had to fight 3 different guys in the same night. While his UFC debut has been mixed, the awesome KO of top contender Josh Koscheck, to the loss at UFC 100 against Jon Fitch in Thiago's United States debut, I look for the butterflies of the trip to the United States to be out of the way, and the tougher man to win this fight. By the way, if you have Matchbook, this # is a steal.
Phil Baroni (+216) risking 1 Unit
I know everyone's laughing at me right now, but did you watch the weigh-ins? Phil Baroni is in tremendous shape. This is his shot. Maybe his only shot in the states for that matter. Dana White has given the New York Bad Ass, one more shot at making it in UFC, and since he burnt a bridge with Strikeforce, he can't **** this up. I don't like that I'm going against sharp money with this one, and backing a guy that lost every big fight of his career, but I think he takes this one. He should overpower the newcomer Sadollah, who tends to be lazy at times and is more of a stamina type fighter. I'll be suprised if he can weather the early storm.
Marcus Davis (-220) for 1 Unit
The Irish Hand Grenade Marcus Davis is coming off a tough decision to the #1 contender Dan Hardy at UFC 99, and is looking to move his way BACK into contention for the title against GSP. His only two losses in the past 3 years have been against Mike Swick, and Hardy. Did I mention that he fought 15 times in that period against stiff competition?
