On the Cusp of Contendership: UFC 141 - MMA Combat

On the Cusp of Contendership: UFC 141 - MMA Combat

With all the hype surrounding the upcoming UFC 141 main-event - which will go down Friday, December 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada - the magnitude of a couple fights taking place immediately before it has been overshadowed by the hulking heavyweights who will determine the division's next number one contender.

UFC president Dana White has already promised that spot to the winner between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem, but UFC 141 may discover multiple contenders in their respective weight classes.

Submissions-A-Plenty, Lightweights Primed and Determined

If victorious, Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone could easily make a case to be his division's next #1 contender after Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar hash it out at UFC 144 to determine the top-dog at 155lbs; Cerrone is already a perfect 4-0 in 2011 and with a fifth win would complete one of the most successful calendar years in recent memory at lightweight, or any weight for that matter. His previous two outings, which resulted in first round stoppages of Charles Oliveira and Dennis Siver will weigh heavy in the minds of the UFC upper-brass when determining who is most deserving in the uber-stacked lightweight division.

Standing in his way is Cesar Gracie standout Nate Diaz who has never been stopped inside the distance in his tenure with the promotion, despite facing several top-talents along the way at both 170 and 155lbs. Diaz would present an interesting style clash for whoever emerges victorious at UFC 144, but not unlike his older brother, his Achilles heel has always been strong wrestlers who often dominate position over fifteen minutes. In my books, Diaz would have to overcome that obstacle by first defeating either a Gray Maynard or Clay Guida in a rematch before a title shot is granted; if he's unable to tackle that test, it's unlikely he would fare much better against more diversified wrestlers in Edgar and/or Henderson.

Welterweights with Opportunity Knockin'

The clash between powerful wrestlers Jon Fitch and Johny Hendricks could easily decide the first #1 contender to the newly declared UFC interim welterweight title whose carrier will be either Nick Diaz or another Team Jackson standout in Carlos Condit when the two battle for the honor at UFC 143, February 4, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fitch is one of the most successful fighters in UFC history losing only to reigning champion Georges St. Pierre over five rounds in what would be his only title-shot in fifteen promotion appearances to-date. Hendricks represents the "new school" of powerful wrestlers contending at 170lbs today. The twenty-eight year old Oklahoma native has compiled a record of 6-1 inside the octagon and is known for his knockout power in both hands.

If Fitch was to walk away with his hand raised at UFC 141, the former Purdue wrestling captain would be undefeated in his previous seven outings and few could argue against him as the division's next #1 contender. Critics point to his wrestling centric, decision-heavy style, but a win is a win regardless of how it comes. 13-1-1 under the UFC banner, Fitch has grinded his way to the judge's cards eleven times overcoming opponents with exception heart, conditioning, and an understated Jiu Jitsu game; the AKA standout would likely open as a betting favorite against either Carlos Condit or Nick Diaz with a win on December 30.

Once defeated Johny Hendricks most recently appeared against Mike Pierce at UFC 133 - Evans vs. Ortiz II, picking up a narrow decision win over the Team Quest product. Three times he has stopped UFC opponents on strikes and was out-worked only by Rick Story in December of last year which represents the only blemish on a sterling record. The four time All-American and two time NCAA D1 wrestling champion could stake his claim as the next in line with a win over the veteran Fitch who has long been considered the second best welterweight on the planet; ideally, I would have him fight the winner of Alves vs. Kampmann before considering a chance at the belt as each would provide a unique test to that which he has faced thus far inside the octagon, but the winner of Sanchez vs. Ellenberger will be realized half a month sooner and would also serve as a good fit for title-contention.

Don't miss out on this must-see event Friday, December 30, 2011, only on Pay Per View and UFC.tv.


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