UFC 148: Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin will meet inside the Octagon for the third time this Saturday at UFC 148.

Their borderline historic trilogy may be overshadowed by Anderson Silva's rematch with Chael Sonnen, but if the first two bouts between two of the sport's most popular fighters showed us anything, this one is going to be close.

Whether it's Ortiz over Griffin or Griffin over Ortiz, a classic rivalry is finally going to come to a decisive end.

Here's the initial head-to-toe breakdown.

Striking

Neither Tito Ortiz or Forrest Griffin are dynamic strikers in the UFC's light heavyweight division.

That's no secret.

Having said that, beyond their natural inability to stack up against more talented strikers like Mauricio Shogun Rua and Rashad Evans, each fighter has the potential to land knockout blows.

At times Griffin seems more unorthodox than Ortiz, showcasing a lack of patience that in turn transforms him into a more diverse striker.

However, assuming Griffin is going to be watching for an Ortiz takedown attempt, it's safe to say that "The People's Champ" has a slight advantage on the feet.

With that said, don't count out Griffin's wild arsenal which often resembles a monkey marking his territory.

Slight Advantage: Ortiz

Clinch

With a slight size advantage on his side, as well as the ability to land knees by the bunches, Forrest Griffin is most definitely a more complete clincher than Tito Ortiz.

In the past Griffin has not only used the clinch to inflict damage in unsuspecting opponents, but he has utilized the technique to create defensive space.

This time around, if Griffin can get close to Ortiz and not get taken to the mat, he'll be able to gain crucial points inside the clinch.

Points that may very well win him a split-decision once again.

Advantage: Griffin

Wrestling

Everybody who has ever watched Tito Ortiz compete knows he has elite wrestling skills.

Now while those elite skills may have declined over the past few years, due in part to age, Ortiz still possesses the raw talent to take down nearly any UFC light heavyweight.

Unfortunately for Forrest Griffin, who has experienced this first-hand, Ortiz will produce more of the same.

Through their first two fights, Griffin was taken down a total of six times, often subduing his lunging offensive attacks.

And even though Ortiz has only landed one take-down inside the cage since he last met Griffin in 2009 (four fights), the future UFC Hall of Fame inductee should be looking inflict his famous ground-and-pound.

Distinct Advantage: Ortiz

Submissions

Tito Ortiz isn't known for his jiu-jitsu. 

Neither is Forrest Griffin.

But with a recent submission victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 132, Ortiz has to be the odds-on favorite to sink in a rear naked choke, guillotine or arm bar.

Also take into account Ortiz's natural ability to take any fight to the ground and it's easy to gauge who has the better chance to land a submission, or at least attempt one.

Now don't get me wrong, Griffin is a true professional who's diverse in many facets of mixed martial arts.

But with a killer opponent like Ortiz, he'll want to protect his neck for 15 straight minutes.

Slight Advantage: Ortiz

Intangibles

The UFC light heavyweight division is one of the most crowded and most talented weight classes around.

With middleweight speed and heavyweight power, guys like Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin often defy natural order inside the Octagon.

They tend to showcase certain intangibles that often leave their opponents incapacitated.

These innate skills give fighters like Ortiz and Griffin a better chance to shock the world with unprecedented action, which makes it even more exciting when they meet each other on the same night.

Expect quick reversals, gritty chins, unorthodox strikes in the clinch and bloody faces.

Split

Instincts

What are instincts?

Is it the ability to pounce on a feeble opponent?

Or is it the sheer ability to end fights at any given time?

To be honest, the definition of instincts couldn't be more broad in the sport of mixed martial arts.

But if one fight encompassed two fighters with equal killer instincts, it'd be Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin III.

These two guys are not going to hold anything back and, come Saturday, the more comfortable fighter is going to win.

Split

Verdict

As you can see there aren't many aspects of fighting that separate Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin inside the cage, evident by their first two bouts.

However, assuming their trilogy probably isn't going to end in a draw, Ortiz has to be the favorite.

The deciding factor is simple. 

Ortiz is a future UFC Hall of Fame inductee with one more fight left in the tank, while Griffin is a declining veteran looking for answers within a more talented division.

It may sound harsh, but Griffin doesn't seem capable of ruining Ortiz's retirement party.

"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" will end his heralded career on a more than good note.

Verdict: Ortiz

For more UFC/UFC 148 news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell