Nasty knee to the chest of Tito Ortiz crumbled him. I hoped he would win, but that knee would’ve ended anyone’s night and for Tito Ortiz, it came as a 2nd round TKO. Rashad Evans is still the #1 contender for Jon Jones championship title.

For 30 minutes, Chael Sonnen spoke solemnly, seriously about the suspended state of his career and his attempts to revive it. But when the topic switched to the current state of MMA, Sonnen seemingly flipped a switch and became the soundbyte machine we’ve come to expect.

Appearing on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, the UFC middleweight took aim at the weight division directly above his. While praising the recently crowned UFC light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, he blasted the rest of the weight class’ contenders for what he sees as their unwillingness to face him.

READ MORE via Chael Sonnen Compliments Jon Jones, Rips 205 Division and Predicts GSP Loss — MMA Fighting.

I’m excited about tonights fights! UFC 126 should be a good one. Here are my quick picks.

Although I’d like to see Vitor Belfort win tonight, my gut is telling me he’s getting TKO’d. So…

Anderson Silva over Vitor Belfort
Rich Franklin over Forrest Griffin (decision)
Ryan Bader over Jon Jones
Miguel Torres over Antonio Banuelos
Donald Cerrone over Paul Kelly
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto over Demetrius Johnson
Gabe Reudiger over Paul Taylor
Kyle Kingsbury over Ricardo Romero

Jon Jones defeats Vladimir Matyushenko by TKO in 1st round.

Yushin Okami defeats Mark Munoz by decision

Jake Ellenberger defeats John Howard by TKO (doctor stoppage) in Round 3

Takanori Gomi defeats Tyson Griffin by TKO/RSC 1st round

Jacob Volkmann defeats Paul Kelly by Decision

Matt Riddle defeats Damarques Johnson by TKO/RSC 2nd round

Igor Pokrajac defeats James Irvin by submission 1st round 2:29

Brian Stann defeats Mike Massenzio by submission 3rd round 3:10

Charles Oliveira defeats Darren Elkins by submission (triangle/armbar) 1st round 0:41

Rob Kimmons defeats Steve Steinbeiss by decision 3rd round

Mark Bocek vs. Joe Brammer
John Howard vs. Dennis Hallman
**Brian Stann vs. Rodney Wallace
Jon Madsen vs. Justin Wrenn
**Darrill Schoonover vs. James McSweeney
Marcus Jones vs. Matt Mitrione
Frank Edgar vs. Matt Veach
**KIMBO SLICE vs. HOUSTON ALEXANDER
Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones

** Rodney Wallace’s nickname is “Shonuff The Master” — so, I’m picking him to win.

** Darrill Schoonover has been called back to military duty (he was in the Army for 4 years already) and he’ll be leaving for duty again soon after his fight.

** WAR KIMBO, ALL DAY SON.

Why was Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago the final fight? Regardless, Fitch won a unanimous decision.

Brock Lesnar looked great again, as he did against Couture. He smashed his way through Frank Mir for a 2nd round TKO. We need to see a Part III to make Lesnar/Mir a trilogy.

I’m very glad Georges St. Pierre was victorious over Thiago Alves. It will be interesting to see who GSP fights next. Anderson Silva?

Dan Henderson absolutely smashed Michael Bisping into unconsciousness. Hendo landed his trademark overhand right to Bispings jaw and knocked him out, but wait, there’s more! (I typed that with pitchman Billy May’s voice in my head). After Bisping was already on his back KO’d, Dan Henderson flies in (literally, his whole body in the air) with a gnarly forearm smash to Bispings face, all 185lbs of Dan Henderson came crashing down on Bispings dome. Bisping laid there asleep for several minutes.

Yoshihiro Akiyama defeated Alan Belcher by judges decision

I’m glad to see Mark Coleman defeated Stephan Bonner by decision. I’m not happy that they didn’t show the fight on the PPV broadcast. Sounds like Coleman’s gas tank was ok?

Jim Miller defeated Mac Danzig by decision.

Jon Jones submitted Jake O’Brien by guillotine in round 2

Dong Hyun Kim defeated T.J. Grant by decision.

Shannon Gugerty defeated Matt Grice by guillotine choke in round one.

Tom Lawlor got submission of the night for his guillotine victory over CB Dollaway in round one. Tom Lawlor also had the weirdest entrance of the night (VIDEO BELOW–and the guy on the leash in the video is Seth Petruzelli).

First of all, the main event of the night for me will be Bruce Buffer doing a 360 spin as he introduces the fighters.

I’d like to see Tom Lawlor kick CB Dollaway’s ass, but I’m not really thinking it’s going to happen. I feel basically the same way about Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar…I’d like to see Frank Mir win again, but I don’t really think he’ll be able to…but how shocking would it be if he somehow KO’s Brock Lesnar and leaves him unconscious?

Jon Jones is going to destroy Jake O’Brien. Jones seemed unstoppable last time he fought.

I have Jim Miller beating Mac Danzig..

MARK COLEMAN over Stephan Bonnar…WTF? The UFC website says this fight “May not be broadcast”…my ass.. it better be broadcast.

Alan Belcher will defeat Yoshihiro Akiyama.

I seriously hope Dan Henderson KTFO of Michael Bisping.. I predict Bisping running and backing up much of the fight, refusing to exchange punches.

Jon Fitch will win his match against Paulo Thiago.. and I just noticed we have two guys named “Jon” on this fight card.

I’d love to see Georges St. Pierre get a dominant win over Thiago Alves, and set up a future bout with Anderson Silva.

As I already said, I’d enjoy seeing Frank Mir get a tapout, or an unbelievable knockout over Brock Lesnar…I just can’t see it happening again, but I seriously hope I’m wrong.