Welcome 6th Rounders, to my picks and predictions for UFC 104. “Machida vs. Shogun” will air Saturday night via Pay-per-view (in the US) beginning at 10 p.m. EST. This card features a main event showdown between undefeated light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and former PRIDE star “Shogun” Rua. A solid line-up calls for solid picks, right? Whether you agree or disagree, leave your thoughts by commenting.

As a lead writer here, there’s a certain “responsibility” for making quality peeks into the future. That being said, anything can (and does) happen in mixed martial arts. With an overall 143-90 record thus far since our launch, let’s get into how I, Gray D., see the action inside the Octagon going down from Los Angeles.

*(winners are in bold)

PICKS OUTCOME: 6-5

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CHASE GORMLEY VS. STEFAN STRUVE: Gormley is undefeated and training out of private, elite gym Black House. Struve has a future but will fall short here. Gormley by TKO in Round 2

RAZAK AL-HASSAN VS. KYLE KINGSBURY: I believe Kingsbury’s strength and having prepped at AKA for this fight will give him the edge over Al-Hassan. Kingsbury by submission in Round 1

ROB KIMMONS VS. JORGE RIVERA: Rivera will not have Dellagrotte in his corner tonight but I expect him to once again display the power he possesses and put away Kimmons in late TKO finish. Rivera by TKO in Round 3

YUSHIN OKAMI VS. CHAEL SONNEN: Okami wins this, flat out. His power will overwhelm the apt-to-stall Sonnen. Okami via clear-cut unanimous decision

PATRICK BARRY VS. ANTONI HARDONK: Both men possess good kickboxing so I expect Hardonk to capitalize on Barry’s lack of ground experience and get the sub. Hardonk by submission in Round 2

RYAN BADER VS. ERIC SCHAFER: With both men likely canceling each other on the ground I expect Bader’s power on the feet to be the deciding factor. Bader by TKO in Round 2

ANTHONY JOHNSON VS. YOSHIYUKI YOSHIDA: Johnson’s weight cut went horribly and he will come into this fight with very little gas. Yoshida’s Judo will win the fight for him. Yoshida by submission in Round 1

SPENCER FISHER VS. JOE STEVENSON: Stevenson’s wrestling and active ground game will prove difficult for Fisher but Spencer can weather the storm. Ultimate, I see it for Stevenson. Stevenson via unanimous decision

JOSH NEER VS. GLEISON TIBAU: Not much to expect here outside of a three rounder seeing Gleison’s wrestling giving Neer fits. Tibau via unanimous decision.

BEN ROTHWELL VS. CAIN VELASQUEZ: Althought Valesquez is the favorite, I see Rothwell’s experience being huge and leading him to capitalize on Cain’s mistakes. Rothwell by KO in Round 2

CHAMP LYOTO MACHIDA VS. MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA: The champ remains the champ and displays his world-class striking as well as takedown defense. Machida by TKO in Round 3

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Gray D. is 149-95 in his overall picks here at 6th-Round.com and pens this column before every major MMA event. Outside of writing, he is a fitness/nutrition enthusiast and runs the site’s Twitter account @6thRound.