The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night for UFC 106, which has undergone more changes than any other card in recent history. The event is headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between former champions “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin.

In the co-main event of the evening, former top contender Josh Koscheck looks to take a step back towards the title picture when he battles explosive knockout artist Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin

Rob: Headlining this lacklustre card is a light heavyweight bout between the returning Tito Ortiz and fellow ex-champion Forrest Griffin, who is coming off of the most embarrassing loss of his career.

Mike: These two have both been through their share of ups and downs since facing each other over three years ago. Griffin rose to the top and suffered a tumultuous tumble, while Ortiz went through contract disputes and injuries. I think that the health factor will decide this fight, as Griffin has been through a lot of physical and mental punishment as of late. He has suffered three knockouts in six fights and went through a couple of outright brawls.

Rob: Ortiz hasn’t won a fight inside the Octagon in over three years and hasn’t finished an opponent not named Ken Shamrock since defeating Elvis Sinosic all the way back at UFC 32 in June of 2001. His once-feared ground and pound is a thing of the past and it’s unlikely that he’s going to be travelling ten years back in time. That said, Griffin was embarrassed by Anderson Silva and definitively shown to be unworthy of holding a title belt and he won’t be returning to the title picture here.

Mike: Known for his heart and strength, it has been shown that Griffin cannot ride these anymore and needs to develop a more sound skill set. Ortiz, on the other hand, has not suffered a knockout loss for over three years, is coming off of successful back surgery and is quoted as saying he feels better than he ever has. Ortiz is in great shape, in a sound place mentally and hungry to make another run at the 205-pound title. I hope to see a new Ortiz in this fight.

Predictions:

Rob: Ortiz by Unanimous Decision.
Mike: Ortiz by TKO in round two.

Josh Koscheck vs Anthony “Rumble” Johnson

Rob: Next up is a welterweight bout pitting former top contender Josh Koscheck against rising star Anthony Johnson, who has emerged as one of the top strikers in the division but struggles with making weight.

Mike: Johnson against Koscheck is one of the few fights on this card that I am actually excited to see. Koscheck has grown from a lay-all-day wrestler to a well-rounded mixed martial artist. The problem? Koscheck has continually tried to prove that he is a striker, too, which resulted in a knockout from Thiago and a general thumping courtesy of Alves.

Rob: Koscheck keeps badmouthing other fighters and disparaging their opportunities – most recently, Dan Hardy’s win over Mike Swick – but he seems to forget that he was KOed by total unknown Paulo Thiago and then beat a past-prime Frank Trigg. He’s really in no place to be critiquing others and he’s going to be well out of contender status after this one. Learn a little respect, Josh, and it will go a long way.

Mike: Koscheck needs to stick to his base and use what has taken him this far. His other problem is that Johnson is a massive welterweight – after his last debacle, he should arguably be a middleweight – who has size, strength and power advantages over Koscheck. To add a cherry on top, Johnson also has a background in wrestling. I see Johnson being able to keep this fight standing, resulting in yet another highlight added to the reels.

Predictions:

Rob: Johnson by KO in round one.
Mike: Johnson by KO in round one.