Jim Hettes vs Nam Phan
Nam Phan (pictured) is emerging as one of the more promising TUF alum over the past few seasons. The UFC has decided, rightfully I think, to forgo a third fight with Leonard Garcia in favor of allowing Phan to prove his worth against highly touted newcomer Jim Hettes. Hettes is a Gracie BJJ student who is 9-0 as a professional. Plenty of fighters come into the UFC with impressive records, accumulating those impressive numbers against much lesser competition but what is most striking about Hettes is the way in which he manages to win. All nine of his wins have come via submission in the first two rounds. Phan will be a big step up in competition though and should prove hard to get a hold of. If fan is to win he will need to prove he is continuing to develop his footwork and grappling prowess, both standing and on the ground. The winner stands to gain substantial footing in the 145 pound division, one that is looking for contenders to emerge into the top 10.
Alexander Gustafsson (#10 LHW) vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Showcase fight alert ladies and gentleman – showcase fight alert. Alexander Gustafsson has been one of the more impressive fighters climbing the ranks of the light-heavyweight division over the past year and a half. The MMA world is expecting big things from him moving forward and he has been given a very precarious showcase fight. In other words, Matyushenko is just the kind of fighter that Gustafsson matches up well against and should be able to find success against, but he is also the kind of fighter that can ruin your night if you take him lightly. Maty has strong wrestling and the potential to end the fight with heavy hands at any moment. Gusta will need to utilize his range well and control the pace of the fight, picking his moments to strike and strike effectively. Gusta was one of my fighters to watch for the second half of the year and he remains as such moving into 2012. If he continues to grow and develop he could emerge as a real contender in this division.
Jon Fitch (#2 WW) vs Johny Hendricks
Jon Fitch simply doesn’t lose to people not named GSP; at least that has been the case to this point. He finds himself in a strange position though, fighting an unranked opponent with very little as far as name recognition. In short, Fitch pissed off the boss yet again by refusing to fight Carlos Condit (yes, the same Carlos Condit now fighting for the interim title) because he wanted a bigger fight. Many have taken that as a sign that he didn’t want to risk fighting someone as dangerous as Condit. I don’t care much either way but I think Dana White did because Fitch is not in a an ideal spot right now. Fitch might earn himself a shot at the interim title early next year but he might also get passed over in favor of Jake Ellenberger, Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez, or Thiago Alevez. The point being, Jon Fitch is one of the best in the world and he has a lot to lose and little to gain in this fight. Hendricks (pictured) on the other hand is staring the golden goose in the face. He rockets up the welterweight ranks with a win in this fight. Both men are wrestlers, with Fitch probably having a grappling advantage and a slight advantage in terms of technical stand-up. On the other hand Hendricks might have a little more power in his punches and be more unpredictable. It is likely that Fitch will win in typical Fitch style (by UD) but don’t be surprised if Hendricks makes this a fight and scores a huge upset.
Donald Cerrone (#9 LW) vs. Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz has had somewhat of an identity crisis over the past few years. He couldn’t quite find his weight and figure out where he wanted to be. His dissection and disposal of Gomi in his last fight provided a ray of hope that he has found himself again at lightweight. Personally, I have been down on the younger Diaz a bit, not a fan of his inconsistency and inability to win the big fight but two things impressed me about his last win. First, his punches were precise and crisp, much like his older brother. Second, he mixed in power punches effectively in a way that kept his opponent off balance, really setting himself apart from his brother in that regard. Donald Cerrone (pictured) is on another level right, on a six fight win streak since losing to the number one contender for the lightweight title Ben Henderson and will require Diaz to step up to that level. I am sold on Cerrone as a highly talented lightweight with a potential future in championship conversations. He is well rounded, tough as nails, and can finish you anywhere the fight goes. Unfortunately I think he is reckless sometimes, a trait does not bode well against the technically precise Diaz. A win here will move up my lightweight list significantly not because I am that high on Diaz but I love consistency and I love a good win streak. Cerrone vs Diaz is going to be fast pace and gritty so strap in for this one because it is front-runner for fight of the night.
Brock Lesnar (#4 HW) vs. Alistair Overeem (#3 HW)
I have said it before but it warrants repeating, this is the scariest looking fight in MMA history. There are seriously not two fighters that look more terrifying than these two. It is a classic case if there ever was one, striker vs. grappler. Aside from being a title fight, it doesn’t get any bigger. Between them they will be bringing about 550 pounds to the cage, a title shot is up for grabs, and it will be the last stand of 2011 for major-promotion MMA. Brock Lesnar (pictured) is coming off a 14 month layoff and more medical issues, raising some well warranted concerns about his health but with his typical confidence and bravado he has be convinced that the modern day gladiator is truly back. Across the cage he meets a man who hasn’t lost since 2007. In that time Alistair Overeem has accumulated 10 wins and one no contest, laying waste to the likes of Werdum, Duffee, and Rogers with very little trouble to speak of. Lesnar must get this fight to the ground and do it quickly if he has any chance of winning. Standing with Overeem is a death sentence to most fighters in the division, Brock included. However, once this fight hits the ground, Lesnar’s advantage will be as big as Overeem’s on the feet. I really don’t see a universe where this fight goes all 5 rounds unless they both tire so early that they can’t generate enough power to finish. The winner gets to test the seemingly unstoppable Junior Dos Santos so tune in to see who gets the next shot at the biggest title in MMA.
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