UFC on Fox 2: Power Ranking Every Fight on the Card

The UFC makes its much anticipated return to Chicago with its UFC on Fox 2 event. The main card features two definite title eliminators along with another possible future title challenger.

But don't sleep on the preliminary card, because there are a number of intriguing matchups before the lights go on for Fox TV.

The main card bouts will get most of the attention, and rightfully so, but the seven fights before them should warrant a view from MMA fans.

10. Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby

In a matchup of struggling middleweights, Chris Camozzi takes on Dustin Jacoby in a preliminary bout.

Camozzi showed he's tough by attempting to train through a broken jaw injury while on The Ultimate Fighter but was sent home after winning a bout to get into the house.

Dustin Jacoby, a former collegiate quarterback, suffered his first professional loss in his UFC debut at UFC 137.

Jacoby has spent very little time in the MMA world, and Camozzi went 2-1 in his first UFC stint. Look for both men to attempt to make a statement.

9. Cody McKenzie vs. Michael Johnson

In what is likely a do-or-die situation for both men, Ultimate Fighter alums Cody McKenzie and Michael Johnson will be fighting for their jobs.

McKenzie caught a lot of people's attention with the "McKenzietine" on The Ultimate Fighter, but following two straight losses, he has been called a one-trick pony by many MMA fans.

A finalist for The Ultimate Fighter, Michael Johnson has gone 1-2 in the UFC. Considering that Johnson was a popular pick to win on the show, many fans felt Johnson would piece everything together with a proper training camp under his belt.

Johnson has failed to impress, and a loss against McKenzie could send a pink slip his way.

Look for both men to come out with a sense of urgency as both guys are on the hot seat.

8. Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson

In what could be a potential Fight of the Night candidate, Lavar Johnson takes on Joey Beltran in a heavyweight bout.

Johnson was considered a top prospect under the Strikeforce banner, but back-to-back losses have shown some chinks in his armor.

Meanwhile, Beltran has failed to impress, going 3-3 in the UFC. But he has been a part of some entertaining bouts, which have probably kept him around longer than he should have been.

Neither man will look to bring the fight to the ground, which means fans could be treated to some explosive striking from the big boys.

7. Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely

Charles Oliveira will look to recapture some of the magic from his first UFC bouts when he drops a weight class to fight newcomer Eric Wisely.

Oliveira caught everyone's attention with wins over Darren Elkins and Efrain Escudero but saw that momentum spiral out of control with losses to Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone.

A win against Nik Lentz was overturned and made into a no contest, which helped Oliveira and his coaches decide to drop a weight class.

Wisely is making his UFC debut and holds notable wins over Hermes Franca and Matt Veach.

This bout should gain some views from fans, as we will look to see if Oliveira can find some of the success he once had by dropping to the featherweight division.

6. Mike Russow vs. Jon-Olav Einemo

Sure to receive the greatest ovation of the night, Mike Russow will look to impress the hometown crowd as he takes on a returning Jon-Olav Einemo.

Einemo's grappling credentials are well documented, but he hasn't been active in MMA very much. His debut in the UFC was unsuccessful, as he lost via TKO to Dave Herman.

Russow hasn't fought since March, when he defeated John Madsen by TKO (doctor's stoppage). Prior to that, Russow earned what many consider to be one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history as he took a beating for two rounds before a KO'ing Todd Duffee.

Both men have had extended layoffs, and it will be interesting to see who's been more affected. Look for Russow to feed off of the crowd reaction and come out with extra adrenaline.

5. Cub Swanson vs. George Roop

In another potential Fight of the Night candidate, Cub Swanson and George Roop are set to square off in a featherweight tussle.

Roop has gone 1-2 in his previous three bouts, losing a split decision to Japanese star Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137, KO'ing Josh Grispi and getting knocked out by former teammate Mark Hominick.

Swanson recently made his UFC debut on the first UFC on Fox event, losing to Ricardo Lamas by submission. Swanson won a decision victory over Mackens Sermizier and also lost a decision against No. 1 contender Chad Mendes.

Both men love to stand up, and with Swanson's ultra-aggressive style, look for fireworks early and often. It will be interesting to see if Greg Jackson can "tame the beast" and help implement some more wrestling into Swanson's game.

4. Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz

Former top prospect Evan Dunham will look to rise to the top of the lightweight ladder as he takes on late replacement Nik Lentz.

Dunham was on top of the world and considered to be a future title contender in 2011 before back-to-back losses forced him out of the upper tier of the rankings. He snapped the losing streak by beating Shamar Bailey in his last fight.

Lentz is coming off his first official loss against Mark Bocek at UFC 140 and is stepping in for an injured Paul Sass.

The short rest will either help or hurt Lentz depending on his physical shape following his bout with Bocek. I believe Dunham has more than enough talent to get another win.

3. Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia

In what could be a potential title eliminator for a future bout, the brash Brit Michael Bisping clashes with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Demian Maia.

Bisping impressed a lot of fans by not just beating Jason "Mayhem" Miller, but by thoroughly dominating him from bell to bell. Bisping has rattled off four straight wins and will look to insert himself into the suddenly crowded middleweight title picture.

Maia got back to his winning ways by sending Jorge Santiago packing at UFC 136 and is looking to earn a rematch against champion Anderson Silva. Maia is likely one or two more wins away from a title shot, but derailing Bisping's title hopes will go a long way in helping his cause.

Given the manner in which Silva clowned Maia in their bout and all the positives that would result from a Bisping hype effort, there's no question that Dana White is hoping for a Bisping victory.

2. Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz

The next title challenger to Anderson Silva will emerge from the bout between Chael Sonnen and Mark Munoz.

Sonnen's vocal attempts to coerce Silva into a rematch are well documented, but with back-to-back wins over top-10 opponents, Sonnen would also have the resume to deserve a rematch.

Meanwhile, Munoz likely needs an impressive finish to earn a title shot despite his showing at UFC 138 against Chris Leben.

If Sonnen can defeat Munoz and does in fact fight Silva in Brazil, the UFC will have a huge moneymaker of a PPV event later in 2012.

1. Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis

Set to decide the next challenger to Jon Jones' title, Rashad Evans squares off against talented prospect Phil Davis.

Evans earned his title shot with a win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson but saw his chance slip away due to waiting and a knee injury that allowed his former teammate Jones to take his place.

After taking some time off to heal, Evans came back and looked impressive in his victory over Tito Ortiz.

Davis' last bout came back in March against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, where the former Penn State wrestler emerged victorious.

"Mr. Wonderful" is a talented prospect, but he just isn't ready for the level of competition that an Evans or Jones presents.

Dana White will likely be rooting for Evans to win, as a bout against Jones could do a mass amount of PPV buys and help make up for the losses of the UFC's top moneymakers, Georges St-Pierre and Brock Lesnar.