Tito Ortiz wants another fight against Forrest Griffin, and he let it be known at the UFC 106 post-fight press conference that he wants it soon.  Ortiz won a close split decision against Forrest Griffin back at UFC 59.  However, Ortiz was on the other end of a close split decision at UFC 106.  This second fight was much like the first in that Griffin won the majority of the stand up exchanges, and Ortiz won the majority of the fight when it went to the ground.  Both fights have been mildly entertaining I suppose, but do we really want to see a third match?  I know it's customary for a third fight to take place when the first two have been split between the two fighters, but I'm not sure I'd want to see a third fight.  Check it:

-A third fight has no meaning other than settling the rubber match.  Forrest is a top ten LHW.  Why waste a fight?

-The fight is guaranteed to go to the judges once again.  Forrest can't KO Tito or sub him, and Forrest is experienced enough now that Tito can't TKO him with GnP or sub him either.

I wanna hear from you.  Would you want to see Oritiz/Griffin 3?

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

I have great news.  We've taken another event away from the competition!  I won't brag too much with 2 more event left in the season.  However, Dr._Cox finished in first place with a total of 65 pts.  Your's truly finished in first place in the betting portion of the game with a winning total of $1,147.  It's still a close race in the pts portion of the game with only about 30 pts separating the top 5.  Check it all out after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

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-Well, it appears that Tito Ortiz is basically the same fighter post back surgery as he was pre-back surgery.  Or could you blame it on the cage rust?  I'm sure that's what Tito will do, but it's clear that he doesn't have much left to offer.  I will say that his shot(although he shot from too far way) looked a bit more explosive early on.  However, Tito basically gassed near the end of the second round and had absolutely NOTHING in the 3rd round.  I think he just wanted to survive.  Also, so much for training with Freddy Roach to improve his standup.  It was still the same old Tito in that area as well.  No power, slow, and basically inaccurate.

-Most people are probably praising Forrest Griffin for getting the win.  However, you won't find me doing it.  Forrest is supposed to be a top 5 light heavyweight.  Yet, he couldn't put away Tito Ortiz in that final round.  I mean he won the fight via split decision.  A split decision against a guy that hasn't fought in 18 months, and is coming off major back surgery just isn't cutting it in my opinion.  Color me unimpressed with his performance.

-Anthony Johnson fought well, considering what Josh Koscheck brings to the table.  I don't know what was up with the whole eye poke/supposedly illegal knee stuff.  However, Koscheck finally exhibited the skills we all know he had in regards to his wrestling.  Thank GOD he didn't try to strike with Johnson the entire time.  I think this will be a good learning experience for Johnson.  What in the world was Koscheck doing trying to call the shots in his post fight interview?

-Volkmann could have won that fight.  I picked him to win it, but I must say I was finally impressed with Thiago.  He showed that he could strike, and we all know he's good on the ground. 

-Antonio Rogerio Nogueira opened up A LOT of eyes.  I thought he would beat Cane simply because Cane takes too much damage in his fights.  However, the left hook that Nogueira kept rocking Cane with was a thing of beauty!  That's how you introduce yourself in your UFC debut.  Well done Rogerio.

-Baroni has madd heart.  That's about it though.  I have no idea how Amir didn't finish him. 

-Ben Saunders looked good against Marcus Davis.  I never expected him to manhandle Davis the way he did.  That was a nice bounce back win for him after losing to Swick at UFC 103.

-Did I mention that I absolutely LOVE the preliminary fights airing on Spike TV?  We got to see 9 fights.  Chea!

Overall, I enjoyed the event.  It was also great to finally meet Rich and to hang out with he and Charles. 

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

 The fight starts and Johnson throws a jab and misses.  Koscheck feints a shot and lands a left hook.  Koscheck with an inside leg kick.  Johnson answers with one of his own.  Koscheck with a big overhand right.  Johnson with a jab that lands.  Johnson with an inside leg kick.  Johnson lands and Koscheck retreats back.  Koscheck shoots with double underhooks and tries for a take down.  But is unsuccessful. Koscheck with a leg, but Johnson defends.  The referee threatens to stand the fight up.  Johnson hits Koscheck with what appears to be an illegal knee.  The referee calls time out.  Action resumes.  Johnson is attacking with leg kicks and is scoring at will.  Koscheck shoots with a powerful take down.  The cage saves Johnson from a take down.  Koscheck gets the take down and then takes Johnson's back.  He's working for a rear naked choke.  Johnson defends. Johnson is working to get back to his feet as the bell sounds.

The second round starts and Johnson lands a couple of leg kicks.  Johnson gets poked in the eye, but is ok.. Koscheck with a head kick and another punch that lands.  Now Johnson is poked in the eye.  He's ok.  They trade back in forth in the middle of the cage and both land bombs!!!  Koscheck shoots with a take down and is successful.  Koscheck reigns down some elbows against Johnson and now Johnson is bleeding.  Johnson could be in trouble.  Koscheck seems to be looking for an arm triangle, but now has Johnson's back.  Koscheck looking for the rear naked choke.  HE HAS IT...Johnson is trying to hold on....he taps!  Koscheck defeats Anthony Johnson via Submission in Rd. 2

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

The fight starts and Volkmann lunges forward with a 1-2 and misses.  Thiago throws a headkick that's partially blocked by Volkmann.  The clinch and Volkmann is trying some dirty boxing.  Thiago with a take down and lands in side control.  Volkmann regains half guard and now gets back to his feet.  Thiago with another takedown and lands in the mount.  Volkmann does a good job of getting it back to half guard.  Thiago with short elbows from the top.  Volkmann with full guard now and now back to his feet.  Volkmann shoots for a takedown and Thiago sprawls nicely.  They clinch against the cage and and trade knees.  Volkmann with a good 1-2 punch that scores.  Thiago scores with a nice combo that drops Volkmann as the bell sounds. 

Thiago lands a nice shot.  Volkmann goes back against the cage.  Volkmann with a takedown into side control.  Volkmann controlling Thiago nicely and scoring with punches from the top.  They are back up to their feet now against the cage.  Volkmann with some dirty boxing in the clinch.  Volkmann gets hit with a kick but responds with a takedown and now has Thiago's back.  Thiago reverses and reigns down a big punch.  Volkmann stifles Thiago on the ground.  Thiago stands and reigns down another big punch as the bell sounds. 

The last round starts and Thiago tags Volkmann.  Volkmann goes down and Thiago with north/south position but nothing doing.  They are back up on the feet and Volkmann shoots, but Thiago defends well.  Volkmann gets the takedown now and lands into side control.  Volkmann acheives the crucifix position and is landing some punches on Thiago.  Thiago rolls and Volkmann takes his back.  Volkmann loses the position but sneaks in a D'arce choke. It's locked in....but Volkmann isn't strong enough to hold it and he lets it go.  Thiago now in top position and that's how the fight ends.  Paulo Thiago wins a unanimous decision.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

UFC light heavyweight fighter Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (18-3) Photo: Sherdog

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 The fight starts and Nogueira is winning the exchanges so far.  Nogueira lands a big left hook that rocks Cane.  Cane is hurt and Nog senses it.  Cane tries to recover but Nogueira lands more shots.  Cane retreats and literally runs across the cage and Nog follows.  Nog with with another left hook that buckles Cane.  Cane goes down and Nogueira follows him to the ground with punches and the ref stops the fight.  Antonio Rogerio Nogueira wins via TKO.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2 Photo: Combatlifestyle.com

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This thread will serve as the open thread and discussion for UFC 106 beginning with the Spike TV broadcast at 9pm EST.  Just remember the golden rule of NO SPOILERS as some of the preliminary fights could make the live broadcast.  This should be a good night of fights.  Can Ortiz beat the odds and become relevant once again?  Can Josh Koscheck survive the KO prowess of Anthony Johnson?  Will Antonio Rogerio Nogueira be successful in his UFC debut against the always tough Luiz Arthur Cane?  Make sure you join us here tonight to discuss all of this and more once the fights begin to unfold.  See you then.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

UFC Welterweight Amir Sadollah Photo: UFC.com

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Phil Baroni comes out to "Bad To the Bone" ands seems to be enjoying himself.  Amir comes out and seems pretty focused before the fight starts.  Phil Baroni comes out and swarms on Sadollah and lands several shots.  Amir clinches, but Baroni lands some nice punches.  Sadollah with a good knee and Baroni responds with punches of his own.  Baroni with a good knee, Sadollah responds.  Baroni with big body shots, and Amir is trying to work the clinch.  Baroni throwing more punches and landing but seems to be slowing down.  Baroni shoots for a take down and gets it.  Baroni with top control and Amir pivots for a armbar.  Baroni defends and lands some ground and pound.  They stand back up and Baroni looks tired here.  Sadollah lands a big knee and a straight right.  Baroni is cut now and bleeding and is taking big knees in the clinch.  Baroni shoots for a take down, but Amir defends and lands some knees as the bell sounds.

Amir lands a leg kick and Baroni tries to swarm, but is gassed.  Amir gets the clinch and lands a couple of shots on Baroni.  Baroni with a big right hand.  Baroni ducks a right hand from Amir and clinches.  Baroni with a knee, but Amir lands several front kicks and an inside leg kick.  Baroni responds with a combo of his own.  They clinch against the cage and Amir lands some solid elbows and knees to the body.  Baroni takes a big deep breath and the clinch again.  Amir with a head kick that's blocked by Baroni, but lands a leg kick.  Baroni with a right hand.  Amir lands a flying knee and they clinch afterwards.  Amir with an a good elbow to the head from the clinch.  Baroni lands a right hand and a short combo.  Amir answers with a leg kick.  Baroni is visibly tired, but is showing a lot of heart.

The third round starts and Amir lands a leg kick and another.  Baroni tries to answer with a right hand.  Amir with a left right combo and a knee.  Amir runs at Baroni and lands a hard kick to the leg.  Amir with a front kick and then a super man punch.  Amir with solid elbows in the clinch and Baroni is cut near his hair line.  Amir is working Baroni over in the third round.  Baroni with a punch to the body lands.  Amir responds with a front kick.  Amir coming forward and is putting on a muay thai clinic.  Baroni is showing tons of heart, but Amir is just dominating the action here.  Baroni going for broke and misses wildly.  Amir with the clinch and knees and elbows are pounding Baroni as the bell sounds.  Amir wins a unanimous decision over Phil Baroni.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

Main Bouts:
Forrest Griffin(205lbs)  vs. Tito Ortiz(204lbs)
Josh Koscheck(171lbs) vs. Anthony Johnson(170lbs)
Paulo Thiago(169lbs) vs. Jacob Volkmann(170lbs)
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira(205lbs) vs. Luis Cane(205lbs)
Amir Sadollah(170lbs) vs. Phil Baroni(170lbs)

On Spike:
Marcus Davis(170lbs) vs. Ben Saunders(170lbs)
Jake Rosholt(185.5lbs) vs. Kendall Grove(186lbs)

Prelim Bouts:
Brock Larson(171lbs) vs. Brian Foster(171lbs)
Caol Uno(155.5lbs) vs. Fabricio Camoes(155.5lbs)
George Sotiropoulos(155lbs) vs. Jason Dent(155lbs)

Make sure you join us at 7pm EST for the UFC 106 LIVE weigh in's.  It'll be interesting to see what kind of response Tito Ortiz will get as he makes his return to the octagon after 18 months away.  I'm also interested in seeing the staredown between Anthony Johnson and Josh Koscheck.  That fight is going to be fireworks!  The embedded player is after the jump.

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

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Once it was announced that Tito Ortiz would be gracing the octagon, he stated in a video blog that he wanted  a warm up fight before jumping back into the shark tank known as the UFC light heavyweight division.  Ortiz's 'warm up' fight was supposed to be UFC hall of famer and former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Coleman.  However, Coleman had to pull out of the UFC 106 bout with an injury.  Now Tito finds himself facing a perennial top ten light heavyweight and former champion in Forrest Griffin who he narrowly defeated way back at UFC 59 via split decision.  So much for that warm up fight.  Let's take a look at some interesting notes:

SBN coverage of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin 2

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