Book the television, because on December 8th we
are going to be treated with what I would consider the most stacked card of the
year, UFC on Fox 5. This is a very rare event, in that any of the top three
bouts could conceivably be the main event. This honour however, falls to the
lightweight title match between champion Benson Henderson and challenger Nate
Diaz. I will write more on this later, but expect fireworks as we finally see a
lightweight title fight that doesn’t involve Frankie Edgar.
The co-main event is one that could have serious
implications for the Light Heavyweight division, as rising contender Alexander
Gustafsson meets legendary though sometimes sluggish Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Shogun
had one of the best fights of all time against Dan Henderson this time last
year, so let’s see if he can replicate this or if Gustafsson puts a beating on
him like he has all his most recent opponents.
The co-co main event could be the one that most people are talking
about, as BJ Penn comes out of retirement to face GSP protégé (sort of) Rory MacDonald.
Does Penn still have it? Will MacDonald dominate Penn like he has every
opponent in his career? An interesting bout, and one I expect us to be talking
about for a long time after it happens.
Rounding off the card nicely is a personal favourite of
mine, Matt Brown, facing longtime UFC veteran Mike Swick. Swick came back from
a two year layoff in August, winning Knockout of the Night after finishing
DeMarques Johnson. Brown is another longtime UFC veteran, but has shined in
recent bouts and is currently on a three fight win streak. Expect whichever
fighter gets the win here to face a big name opponent next, so this fight could
make waves for the future in the welterweight division.
A fantastic card all round, I will have predictions up
closer to the time. My prediction for now however, is one of the best nights of
fights we have seen in the UFC, and probably the best line of fights we will
see this year.
