Tito Ortiz vs. Rogerio Nogueira:

    Two aging legends way past their primes clash to see who has what left.   Both have slowed considerably as they’ve aged, but Little Nog’s superior technical boxing and punching power will be the difference in this fight.  The loss of explosiveness in his mid thirties has taken away Ortiz’s biggest weapon from his heyday: the double leg takedown.   It’s been a long time since Ortiz’s wrestling and ground and pound has struck fear into opponents in the light heavyweight division.  Not that he would want to get into a ground battle with Nogueira and I really don’t expect it go there.  Expect Little Nog to win by decision as Ortiz wades forward to try and engage but is unable to out punch the Brazilian.  WINNER: ROGERIO NOGUEIRA

Frank Mir vs Antonio Nogueira

Two former UFC Heavyweight champions in  a rematch from UFC 100 that saw Mir be the first man to ever finish “Big Nog”.  Nog claimed he was recovering from a staph infection and was far from 100 percent in their first match.   Mir has taken exception to this claim and wants to prove it was his superior standup skills that one the fight.   He’s  correct in his assessment, especially at this point in their careers.  Nogueira has never utilized great head movement or footwork in his career and Mir is the bigger, stronger, and more athletic fighter.  Mir’s weakness is to explosive wrestlers that can bully him.  Nogueira isn’t that type of fighter.  It’s only a matter of time before Mir comes over the top with a hook or up the middle with a cross that leads to another finish of “Minotauro”.   WINNER: FRANK MIR

 Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida 

If anyone in the Light Heavyweight division has the skill set to match up with “Bones”, it would be “The Dragon”.  Machida’s use of range and counters in the standup are the combo needed to battle Jones’ speed and length.  Only one problem:  Jones has a 10.5 inch reach advantage and keeps his opponents at the end of that reach.  That and his lightning quick takedowns  and scary Greco trips and throws keep opponents off balance.  No one wants to engage with Jones in the clinch as this is a range he owns.  I don’t see this going to the ground much as Machida is the best at skirting away after throwing his combos.  Anytime Machida comes in close enough to engage, he’ll risk getting taken down although you can expect him to push off and angle away.   He may take too many hits on the way out as Jones is long enough to get him.  I’m sure Machida’s game plan is to use angles and time his counters.  He may be able to catch Jones when “Bones” goes for one of his spontaneous, creative moves such as his trademark spinning hook out of the clinch. That is a big, big if.  If Machida can utilize ins and outs and  run out of danger after combos while keeping his back off the cage, he may be able to frustrate the young Jones and  eek out a decision.  Otherwise, I see Jones catching him and finishing him on the ground with a submission or TKO, probably in the 3rd or 4th round.   WINNER: JON JONES