There are some badass fights coming up and I'm getting plenty excited! I picked a fight from each event (UFC 96-100) that I am dying to see...

UFC 96—Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

This is a fight every non-casual fan has marked on his calendar. Carwin is a beast but Gonzaga, despite his 20-pound disadvantage, is no slouch. Gonzaga was one win away at one point from becoming the heavyweight champ. With a win here, he may get another title shot. 

If Carwin wins he becomes relevant in the division and could also be a fight or two away from a title bout. This is Carwin's first real test in the UFC, he is 10-0 with all being decided in the first half of the first round.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one went a little longer.

UFC 97—Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk

Both of these guys are coming off win streaks against weak opponents following losses to octagon veterans. Kongo lost to Heath Herring via decision but has rebounded against Dan Evenson, who has been recently cut from the UFC, and Mustapha Al-Turk, who Kongo gave a severe beating to. 

On the other hand, Hardonk has won three straight after losing to interim champion Frank Mir in just over a minute in the first round. This should be a violent fight between the Frenchman and Dutchman.

UFC 98—Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar

Usually I am not one to get excited about a fight that I think will end in decision but here's an exception. Sean Sherk already has the reputation of a top-five lightweight, arguably top three, so this makes this fight more relevant for Frank Edgar.

If Edgar wins, he should be a win against Diego Sanchez from a title shot. 

I think the same goes for Sherk. There is a chance that Gray Maynard may also be in the running for a title shot against Penn or Florian, but this is definitely a battle that will fill in the name of one of the fighters in the future No. 1 contender match.

UFC 99—Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders

Of the five fights I have listed, this has got to be No. 1 or 2 on my list. Swick is 8-1 in the octagon and is ready to overcome a leg injury that has sidelined him for over half a year. Before his injury he was talking Thiago Alves but that has taken a back seat for now. 

If he can beat Saunders we may be hearing Swick's name for a title fight. But a win won't come easy against Saunders. Saunders gave Brandon Wolff a 42-knee salute in a quick but brutal victory at Fight For the Troops in 2008.

I'm also excited for Herring vs. Velasquez at UFC 99. A great fight card is on its way to Germany. 

UFC 100—Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping

So only two fights have been confirmed for UFC 100, with the other being GSP vs. Alves. But if these fights are any indication for what we're expecting in July, it should be quite the extravaganza. Henderson is coming off a win against Rich Franklin while Bisping beat brawler Chris Leben at UFC 89. 

With a win, Henderson becomes relevant for a title rematch with Anderson Silva, assuming Silva wins against Leites at UFC 97. If Bisping wins, it will probably lead him to an immediate title shot and less importantly quell my beliefs that he is merely an average fighter who hasn't won against a serious opponent yet. 

Dana White has quite a few treats waiting for us through the next five months starting this Saturday at UFC 96. I'm picking Carwin to join Rampage in the winner's circle.