UFC 106 Finalizes New Co-Main Events: Koscheck vs. Johnson, Ortiz vs. Griffin II

The UFC finalizes the changes for UFC 106 with Tito's return to the octagon.

“One of the loudest crowds I’ve ever heard was in Anaheim when Tito and Forrest fought for the first time, and they weren’t even the main event that night,” said UFC President Dana White. “With these two superstars headlining UFC 106 and with so much on the line for both of them, I think it’s going to be even crazier in Mandalay Bay on November 21^st. Both guys have a lot to prove – to themselves and each other – so it’s gonna be an incredible fight for the fans. 

“I’m excited to be the main event; I’ve been a UFC headliner many times in my 12-year career, so I promise the fans will get a great fight,” said Ortiz.  ”I’m gonna put my heart and soul in the Octagon, and I’m not trying to win with points, I’m gonna win with either a submission or a knockout – everyone will see me at my best on November 21^st.” 

“It’s always nice to be in the main event, especially since I’m fighting at home,” said Griffin. “As far as the fight goes, a lot has happened since 2006, and I think I’m much better than I was back then. That means a win on November 21^st, but more importantly I want to settle the score with Tito.”

Ortiz-Griffin 2 moves up the card to replace Brock Lesnar’s UFC heavyweight title defense against Shane Carwin, which was postponed until early 2010 due to an illness Lesnar suffered which has kept him out of training camp for nearly a month.

Taking over the main event slot are UFC superstars Ortiz and Griffin. For Ortiz, the bout is an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the 205-pound weight class after an 18 month absence by defeating a fellow former light heavyweight champion. Across the Octagon is Griffin, a fighter looking for redemption against Ortiz after losing a razor thin split decision to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” at Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim on April 15, 2006.

In that bout, Ortiz tore into Griffin at the opening bell, almost finishing the fight with his trademark ground and pound attack. Amazingly, Griffin survived the assault and roared back over the next two rounds, teaming with Ortiz for an instant classic. After 15 minutes, the judges declared Ortiz the winner, but the back and forth nature of the bout made it a natural for a rematch.

In the newly-added co-feature to UFC 106: Ortiz vs Griffin 2, welterweight contenders collide as Josh Koscheck meets Anthony “Rumble” Johnson in one of the most intriguing 170-pound matchups of 2009.

“Koscheck vs. Johnson is a great fight and I give credit to both guys for stepping up and making a fight like this happen,” said White. “The amazing thing about this fight is that both Koscheck and Johnson are world-class wrestlers, but they can also knock you out with one punch. I don’t know where this fight’s gonna go, but wherever it goes, it’s going to be one to remember.”

Winner of the 2001 NCAA Division I National wrestling championship, Josh Koscheck entered MMA strictly as a wrestler, but as he battled his way through the first season of The Ultimate Fighter and up the welterweight ranks, he has evolved into a well-rounded contender with dynamite in his right hand. Owner of UFC wins over the likes of Diego Sanchez, Dustin Hazelett, Chris Lytle, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, and Frank Trigg, Koscheck is well on his way to a world title shot should he get by Anthony Johnson on November 21^st.

A junior college National wrestling champion, Anthony Johnson has nonetheless built his reputation in the UFC with his devastating knockout power. Winner of five of his seven Octagon bouts, San Jose’s “Rumble” has ended each of those victories (over Chad Reiner, Tommy Speer, Kevin Burns, Luigi Fioravanti, and Yoshiyuki Yoshida) by way of knockout, making him one of the most feared athletes in the 170-pound weight class.