UFC breaks in the new year with the first big MMA event of 2010. UFC 108 features the return of Rashad Evans, 2 fights with the Lauzon brothers and one of MMA’s most controversial fighters in Gilbert Yvel. Here are our free picks for UFC 108.

Junior Dos Santos -300 vs. Gilbert Yvel +275

Dos Santos is one of MMA’s up and coming stars. He’s 3-0 in the UFC with very impressive wins over Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve and Cro Cop. Yvel is the bad boy of MMA and I’m not even sure why he’s in the UFC. We shouldn’t waste time on breaking this down because Dos Santos won’t need much time to get the win. Take Dos Santos -300

Jim Miller -425 vs. Duane Ludwig +400

Ludwig makes his first appearance in the Octagon since he defeated Jonathan Goulet almost 4 years ago. He’s fought everywhere except your backyard. Experience and power punches aside, Ludwig will almost surely get tapped out by Miller at some point. Take Miller -425

Joe Lauzon -275 vs. Sam Stout +250

Stout has gone to decisions in his last 4 bouts inside the Octagon. That won’t happen in this fight. Lauzon will get it to the ground early and often and will eventually submit Stout. At this level Stout is not a KO-threat, and Lauzon’s wrestling will overpower him. Take Lauzon -275

Dustin Hazelett -110 vs. Paul Daley +115

Daley is an exciting power-puncher making his 2nd appearance in the cage. Hazelett is a submission specialist that has 12 wins — with 9 coming from subs. And that’s Daley’s weakness. He can bang and has top-level power, but his losses have come mostly from being submitted. There’s certainly no shame in being subbed by Jake Shields, but he has also been submitted 4 other times. While it’s entirely possible that “Semtex” catches Hazelett with one of those big bombs, the solid bet is on a Hazelett submission. Take Hazelett -110

Rashad Evans -185 vs. Thiago Silva +175

Take two of the top light-heavyweights in the UFC, both with just one loss to the same fighter and voila! Main Event. Evans is coming off the literally crumbling loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98, and the disappointment of not getting his chance at Quinton Jackson. Silva took his loss to Machida at UFC 94 and beat up Evans’ buddy Keith Jardine at UFC 102. Did Rashad and Greg Jackson learn anything from the Machida fight? I would think so. Look for Evans to get back to his wrestling roots. That plus his power-punching should be enough out-point Silva. Take Evans -185

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