The UFC returns to Toronto for their second show this year with UFC 140 – Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida.

Looking at the card top to bottom, it is stacked with big names and important fights. The UFC is coming off a great showing at the Palms with the finale of The Ultimate Fighter and is gearing up towards the New Year.

Jones vs .Machida- Reports out of Brazil are saying Machida has bulked up with 20 pounds of muscle on his small frame in preparation for this fight. This could be a huge as it might hurt his ability to keep the distance, but help his ability to work in the clinch. As live as Machida is as an underdog it is just impossible to pick against Jones. It sounds like Machida is going to hit and run with Jones, but the length is just too much. Once Jones gets his hands on Lyoto the fight will be over. Jones by TKO.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Frank Mir: A rematch from an upset three years ago pits the heavyweight twin (Nogueira) against the former UFC heavyweight champion. Mir was the first person to ever finish Nogueira, which many point to as the start of Nogueira’s career twilight. This time Mir is a decent sized favorite at -230 and should be able to use his standup again and pepper Nogueira by being first to the punch. If things don’t work out standing, Mir is just as good on the ground as Nogueira and will likely be able to stop any takedowns anyway. I’m pulling for Nogueira, but head says Mir by T/KO.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Tito Ortiz- The styles of each fighter are going to make this a very interesting fight. Nogueira has world class boxing, and top level jiu jitsu, while Tito has his excellent wrestling. I suspect at any point in this fight, Tito could take Nogueira down and try his luck there. Wrestlers have been Nogueira’s kryptonite throughout his UFC career. While it’s standing Tito will get picked apart and damaged bad from Nogueira’s better standup. I think Nogueira has enough jiu jitsu to fend off Tito on the ground and avoid the late career resurgence of Tito. Not to confident because of the bad matchup, and certainly not laying the -210 but Nogueira by decision.

Claude Patrick vs. Brian Ebersole- This fight is a mismatch. Point blank. The line is set at a pick em, and you can even find Patrick as a dog some places. Ebersole is going to get controlled easily in this fight. Patrick will use his wrestling and top control to take him down and fend off any submissions Ebersole has to offer. Patrick won’t gas, and will pick Ebersole apart standing once he gets a feel for his wacky standup style. I had this line projected at -250 for Patrick, and will be all over him at -105. This fight won’t be close, 30-27 for Patrick across all three judges. Patrick by decision.