5 Reasons to Look Forward to the UFC's End of the Year Run

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

The year will soon be closing out. People everywhere will be excited to wish it farewell and plan for a clean slate in 2013. 

Thankfully, before that happens the UFC has a few more stacked cards planned. Georges St. Pierre's return, Nate Diaz fighting for the lightweight title and Cain Velasquez attempting to get his title back from Junior dos Santos in what is sure to be an epic rematch are just some of the highlights to which we can look forward.

There is all of this and more awaiting MMA and UFC fans in the coming months. It is sure to be exciting and a solid way to wave farewell to 2012 and bring in an action-packed 2013.

The UFC's First Trip to China

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The UFC will be breaking new ground with its first ever event held in China.

Macau, a territory of China located off the mainland’s southern coast, will host UFC on Fuel TV 6.

The card features bouts between Dong Hyun Kim and Paulo Thiago, Stanislav Nedkov and Thiago Silva as well as many more entertaining fights.

The main event will be between the exciting master of spinning strikes, Cung Le, and the former UFC middleweight champion, Rich "Ace" Franklin.

UFC 154: The Return of GSP

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Oh Georges, how we've missed you.

It's been a long time since we saw the champion in action, as he had to have knee surgery to repair his ruptured ACL.

But St. Pierre is set to make his return and take on the always-dangerous Carlos Condit. This fight will take place in Montreal, which means St. Pierre will get a huge boost from the hometown fans.

This fight promises to be all sorts of exciting, although many questions abound. How will GSP's knee hold up? Will the UFC's pay-per-view numbers rise with his return? And arguably the biggest question is, who wins this fight?

Only time will tell that answer.

The Entire UFC on Fox 5: Henderson vs. Diaz Card

Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

I leapt out of my seat when this card was announced. There are so many great things about it.

Firstly, we get to see the ever improving Nate Diaz fight for the lightweight title against Ben "Smooth" Henderson.

In the co-main event we are treated to a clash of top-tier light heavyweights, as "Shogun" Rua squares off against the Swede, Alex Gustafsson.

Other bouts announced on the card include the return of BJ Penn as he faces the young Canadian lion Rory MacDonald, and two heavyweights will trade some leather as Lavar Johnson takes on Brendan Schaub.

The best part about this stacked card? It's 100% free. Life doesn't get much better.

The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale

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The tension between TUF coaches Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson has been building for a long time.

This event will give them an opportunity to vent their frustrations to one another in the manner to which both of them are most accustomed. By using their fists, knees and elbows.

Also on this card will be striking-based heavyweights Pat Barry vs. Shane Del Rosario, featherweight Jonathan Brookins vs. perennial contender Dustin Poirier and a fast-paced flyweight fight between Tim Elliott and Jared Papazian.

The Ultimate Fighter season 16 winner will also be determined at this event.

The Whole UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 Card

Who's pumped for a second fight between these two?
Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

This card is absolutely stacked right now. Joe Silva and Sean Shelby have done a fantastic job of matching up exciting fighters.

The main event is a rematch between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight strap. Phil Davis will step in for Chael Sonnen and fight fan favourite Forrest Griffin.

Two middleweight contenders collide in what could determine the next title challenger, as Tim Boetsch and Chris Weidman duke it out. Staying with the middleweights, Alan Belcher looks to keep his momentum rolling against Yushin Okami.

A lightweight bout between top fighters Joe Lauzon and Gray Maynard will also be featured on this card.

The UFC has decided to go all out for the last card of the year. We as fans are thankful that we can close out a prosperous year with some heart-pounding, nail-biting UFC action.

Tweet me @FuscoNation16.