While the top stars garner all the attention on the aired main cards, some of the best fights usually go unseen hours earlier. While I don't think UFC 106's preliminary bouts are especially enticing, there are a number of fighters worth watching (Jake Rosholt, Paulo Thiago, Ben Saunders) to see who takes a step forward into the spotlight and who will take a step back. UFC 106 also marks the Zuffa debuts of prospects Jacob Volkmann and Fabricio Camoes.
Spike Prelims:
Ben Saunders (7-1-2) vs. Marcus Davis (21-6)
You could argue that Marcus Davis beat Dan Hardy at UFC 99, and no one would call you crazy. That said, Davis appeared to have take the loss poorly (he wouldn't shake Hardy's hand in the cage) and that may have taken a toll on his mind. Saunders, meanwhile, looked overmatched at the same event against the hand speed of Mike Swick. If it goes to the ground, Davis will probably have a slight edge, and I expect he might do just that.
The pick: Davis
Kendall Grove (12-6) vs. Jake Rosholt (6-1)
Kendall Grove has lost his mojo. Seriously though, something has been missing from Grove's last fights and I can't put my finger on it. Lack of focus? Poor game-planning? Whatever it is, the Ultimate Fighter winner doesn't appear all that concerned about losing and that bugs me. So I expect Rosholt to win a decision.
The pick: Rosholt
Rest of the Prelims:
Paulo Thiago (12-1) vs. Jacob Volkmann (10-0)
This is going to be a good fight. Jacob "Christmas" Volkmann is undefeated, he's coming off a win at Bellator and he trains with a good camp at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. Thiago suffered a decision loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 100, but had some solid submission attempts in the fight and more than held his own. Even though I suspect Thiago is still a bit overrated, I give him the edge because less is known about Volkmann and if he can beat top-15 caliber competition.
The pick: Thiago
Brock Larson (27-3) vs. Brian Foster (14-4)
Both fights are coming off losses, so clearly motivation will not be a problem in this fight. Foster especially is staring at a 0-2 record inside the Octagon should he lose this fight, which could mean an exit from the UFC. Still, I like Larson to control Foster with his wrestling and win a fairly easy decision.
The pick: Larson
Caol Uno (25-12-4) vs. Fabricio Camoes (10-4)
Nicknamed "Morango", Camoes is my upset pick of the prelims. Although many people thought Uno did enough to beat Spencer Fisher in his last fight, I came away thinkining that Uno had lost a step and that his reliance on finding submissions is catching up to him. Camoes, on the other hand, has finished his last four fights and is riding a seven-fight win streak.
The pick: Camoes
George Sotiropoulus (10-2) vs. Jason Dent (19-10)
This fight shouldn't be all that close. Dent overachieved on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 9 and has never been considered much of a prospect in the 155-pound division. Sotiropoulus, though maybe not a future title contender, is far more savvy on the ground and should find his way to a submission victory.
The pick: Sotiropoulus
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