The shocking news in the Mixed Martial Arts world happened this past week, as the biggest draw in UFC history might be done for good. Brock Lesnar was supposed to headline this Saturday’s UFC 106 card in Las Vegas as the Heavyweight champion, but Lesnar was reportedly felled by a bout of gastroenteritis that put him in a North Dakota hospital for 11 days.
He’s said to be back home in Minnesota recovering from “minor surgery.” Reports suggest it could be a while before Lesnar steps into the Octagon again – if ever.
If that weren’t enough, we learned on Thursday that Karo Parisyan has withdrawn from his welterweight fight with Dustin Hazelett. That prompted UFC President Dana White to unleash a verbal assault via Twitter, stating emphatically that Parisyan would never fight for his promotion again. It’s been a rough week for White.
Both fans and handicappers still have plenty to look forward to as White juggles the card at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend.
The main event is now Tito Ortiz versus Forrest Griffin in a rematch of their controversial 2006 encounter, when Ortiz took a split decision, even though many observers felt should have gone the other way. Griffin is a slight favorite this time now that he’s fleshed out his résumé with last year’s Light Heavyweight title victory over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Tito is also a former champion, but at age 35 is coming off back surgery and hasn’t won in the Octagon since 2006.
Below are the key matchups for UFC 106, with Odds and Results for each fighter.
Welterweight: Paulo Thiago (-275) vs. Jacob Volkmann (+215) - Live Odds
Recent MMA Results and Odds
July 11, 2009: Jon Fitch (-625) over Thiago (+425) by unanimous decision
February 21, 2009: Thiago (+450) over Josh Koscheck (-500) by first-round KO
September 13, 2008, Jungle Fight: Thiago (NL) over Luiz Dutra Jr. by first-round TKO
May 8, 2009, Bellator: Volkmann (NL) over Kevin Knabjian by first-round submission
December 5, 2008, VFC: Volkmann (NL) over Bobby Voelker by unanimous decision
May 9, 2008, Brutaal: Volkmann (NL) over Steve Merth by first-round submission
Light Heavyweight: Luiz Cane (+130) vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (-160) - Live Odds
Recent MMA Results and Odds
April 18, 2009: Cane (-300) over Steve Cantwell (+240) by unanimous decision
October 18, 2008: Cane (+105) over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (-115) by second-round TKO
June 7, 2008: Cane (+135) over Jason Lambert (-165) by first-round TKO
May 9, 2009, Jungle Fight: Nogueira (NL) over Dion Staring by third-round submission
January 24, 2009, Affliction: Nogueira (-135) over Vladimir Matyushenko (+115) by second-round TKO
November 1, 2008, WVR: Nogueira (-1000) over Moise Rimbon (+700) by unanimous decision
Welterweight: Josh Koscheck (-105) vs. Anthony Johnson (-125) - Live Odds
Recent MMA Results and Odds
September 19, 2009: Koscheck (-380) over Frank Trigg (+310) by first-round TKO
February 21, 2009: Thiago (+450) over Koscheck (-500) by first-round KO
December 10, 2008: Koscheck (-325) over Yoshiyuki Yoshida (+250) by first-round KO
October 24, 2009: Johnson (-335) over Yoshida (+295) by first-round KO
February 7, 2009: Johnson (-350) over Luigi Fioravanti (+320) by first-round TKO
December 13, 2008: Johnson (-450) over Kevin Burns (-300) by third-round KO
Light Heavyweight: Tito Ortiz (+110) vs. Forrest Griffin (-140) - Live Odds
Recent MMA Results and Odds
May 24, 2008: Lyoto Machida (-210) over Ortiz (+170) by unanimous decision
July 7, 2007: Ortiz (-110) versus Rashad Evans (-120): Draw
December 30, 2006: Chuck Liddell (-230) over Ortiz (+160) by third-round TKO
August 8, 2009: Anderson Silva (-335) over Griffin (+305) by first-round KO
December 27, 2008: Evans (-105) over Griffin (-115) by third-round TKO
July 5, 2008: Griffin (+235) over Quinton Jackson (-250) by unanimous decision
