UFC 143: Aside from Diaz vs Condit, Which Are Event's Most Intriguing Fights?

Next month at UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit, we will be treated to something that hasn't been seen since 2008—a new UFC Welterweight Champion.

Although it is an interim belt, it is also a ticket to fight Georges St. Pierre later this year for the Undisputed Welterweight Championship.

In addition to Diaz vs. Condit, UFC 143 carries its share of intriguing and exciting fights on it. Despite a number of injuries and late replacements, this card carries some serious fan-friendly bouts. It also carries serious implications in several divisions.

Which of the fights on the card are the most important? Which fights on the card have the most "Fight of the Night" potential? Let's take a look at a few of the fights on this card which could fit those bills.

Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa

A preliminary bout that will be televised on FX, Caceres vs. Figueroa may seem like just another "who vs. who?" fight. Well, that may be the case for casual fans, but to those who follow the UFC, this has the potential to be crazy good.

Caceres is a fighter that really has the heart of Dana White, seeing as how Caceres did not win The Ultimate Fighter and dropped his first two UFC fights. Usually, that warrants walking papers to a fighter, but Dana White loves Caceres as a personality and a fighter.

And who can blame him? Caceres brings an exciting stand up style, along with some decent submission abilities.

Caceres dropped his first two featherweight bouts in the UFC and opted to try his hand at bantamweight. He was successful in his bantamweight debut, dominating an overmatched Cole Escovedo. New weight class established, Caceres now looks to continue his winning ways against Edwin Figueroa.

Figueroa is another guy who employs exciting stand up fighting skills. At 1-1 in the UFC, Figueroa made a late notice debut against the budding star that is Michael McDonald. He lost the fight, but gained a ton of fans, as that was deemed the "Fight of the Night." He then destroyed Jason Reinhardt in his last bout in August.

Having a pair of fighters possessing exciting stand up and a willingness to throw down on opposite sides of the cage, this fight cannot be boring. In fact, if it weren't for Condit and Diaz having a fight on this card, this most likely would be the "Fight of the Night."

Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce

While many fans point to this fight as an overmatched Mike Pierce taking on a far superior Josh Koscheck, I really do not see it from that point of view.

Although Koscheck is definitely a top notch welterweight, he has only had one fight since being manhandled by Georges St. Pierre over a year ago. He did knock out Matt Hughes, but it was an aged Matt Hughes who was past his prime and nearing retirement.

Leading up to the fight with GSP, he did not fight the most impressive competition. Leading up to this fight, it seems like Koscheck is not really taking Mike Pierce too seriously either. The last time I thought Koscheck didn't take an opponent seriously was against Paulo Thiago, and he ended up getting knocked out in the first round.

On the other hand, Mike Pierce is slowly building up a reputation as a hard-nosed, well-rounded fighter who will fight anybody. In fact, he even asked for this fight when GSP pulled out of the main event due to injury and Koscheck's original opponent, Carlos Condit, assumed the main card slot.

Pierce is 5-2 in the UFC, with his only losses coming to a surging Johny Hendricks and Koscheck's teammate, Jon Fitch. He has shown some solid submission skills, showcased by the straight armbar he tapped Amilcar Alves with at UFC 118, as well as knockout power, which helped him put Kenny Robertson's lights out.

The most intriguing part of this fight is that Pierce has everything to gain out of it, and Koscheck really has nothing to gain out of it. Obviously, I am not implying that Koscheck is insanely better than Pierce, but he obviously has consistently fought top names, which Pierce has not yet. With this fight, fans will definitely need to expect the unexpected.

Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum

In the co-main event, the Ultimate Fighter 10 winner, Roy Nelson, welcomes back UFC and Strikeforce veteran Fabricio Werdum.

In my view, this fight comes down to who is more well rounded (and I don't mean physically, Roy). Roy Nelson has demonstrated knockout power on the feet in UFC victories over Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve.

He also possesses high level jiu-jitsu skills, which comes with his smothering top game. Nelson's physical structure allows him to hold down opponents and batter their face. His cardio may not be his best quality, but he will tire opponents out when he lays on them.

Werdum, on the other hand, is far more comfortable on the ground than he is in the stand up (unfortunately, see his fight versus Alistair Overeem for proof). He is undoubtedly one of the most talented submission artists in the heavyweight division, if not the world. His submissions are so good, that he slapped on a triangle armbar on Fedor Emelianenko, who at that point in his career was unbeatable.

The winner of this fight gets into the heavyweight title hunt, while the other will fall toward the bottom of the ladder. Can Werdum submit Nelson, or will Nelson dominate Werdum on the feet and from top position?

We will find out soon enough.

Renan Barao vs. Scott Jorgensen

This fight is probably the most intriguing fight on the card, besides Diaz vs. Condit. This fight features two top bantamweights, with the winner entitled to put his name in the hat to fight for the bantamweight title next.

Jorgensen's wrestling attack, combined with a great chin and solid cardio, is a nightmare for any fighter. Although he did not really display much ground and pound in his last fight against Jeff Curran, just ask Ken Stone how good it is.

I am sure he would be the first to endorse the power of Jorgensen's ground and pound. Although Dominick Cruz exploited Jorgensen's stand up in their title fight back in the WEC, Cruz makes a lot of fighters look bad in that area. Jorgensen is a top bantamweight and is still a serious contender.

Barao, on the other hand, has shown a top notch all-around game that can compete with the best at 135. He possesses solid stand up with his great submission game that has seen him submit such fighters as Brad Pickett and Chris Cariaso.

Let's not forget, Barao is also on a 17-fight winning streak, a tough feat for any mixed martial artist. Barao is as legit as they come, and can possibly claim a title shot with an impressive victory over Jorgensen.

UFC 143 has no shortage of exciting and intriguing fights, and with fights like Jorgensen/Barao and Nelson/Werdum gracing the main card, fireworks are certain.