UFC 106 Quick Picks - Luis Cane vs. Antonio Nogueira

Cane to Give Nogueira a Rough Introduction at UFC 106

Everyone’s excited to see the twin brother of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (aka Minotauro) in action, but all that hype is staved off by the punching power of a viscious Luis Arthur Cane (+120). While the lesser Nogueira (-150) is a medal winning boxer at the South American Games and the Pan-Am Games, this will be his first UFC fight. With a 17-3 record in hand, Nogueira is no stranger to MMA. But if you're betting on UFC 106, banking your hopes on the newly introduced Nogueira is a reach.

Since making his debut in 1997 at UFC 79: Nemesis, Cane has been a force in the league. With three consecutive wins, including a unanimous decision over Steve Cantwell at UFC 97: Redemption, Cane is on a roll right now. He knows that nerves can get the best of you when you make your UFC debut as he lost his own debut to James Irvin, but Cane has bounced back from that loss to become a knockout specialist. Besides, his loss to Irvin was a disqualification because he kneed his opponent in the head while he was on the ground.

I’m not going to be another writer in the long line of experts that praises Cane’s striking. It’s a little bit exaggerated, and it’s not like Nogueira’s boxing can’t keep him safe and present Cane with a little trickery. What I’m not confident about in this fight is Nogueira’s ability to handle the talent and experience of Cane. In what is a definite make-or-break fight for the surging Cane, I’m pegging him to get the big win and ruin the debut of Minotauro’s stunt double.

Furious Free Pick: Cane (+120) OVER Nogueira