UFC on FOX 3: Can Pat Barry vs Lavar Johnson Become the Next Griffin-Bonnar?

There are many reasons to be excited about this weekend's UFC on FOX 3 card. The show features a solid main event, a welterweight feud, a stylistically intriguing middleweight clash and of course, two big heavyweights who knock their opponents out as naturally as they breathe.

Lavar Johnson and Pat Barry are set to square off as part of the event's main card this Saturday. While neither fighter is considered a title contender, both employ styles that fans absolutely love, and consistently deliver exciting performances. 

Barry is a kickboxer by trade, and has made a name for himself by earning six knockouts in seven career wins.

Johnson's career adheres to a similar, albeit more expansive template, with 14 of his 16 victories coming by way of knockout.

Neither of the bout's participants have anything of a penchant for grappling, and in all likelihood, this one is going to take place exclusively on feet.

At an elementary level, what we have here are two strikers that love to strike, are aggressive, and are very good at what they do–going toe-to-toe.

This spells fireworks.

The potential is there for this bout to become a classic, however, imagining this to be so is slightly unrealistic. Rather than providing a Griffin-Bonnar type war, this one is more likely to deliver a classic knockout than anything else.

With the sheer amount of power that will be in the Octagon during the UFC of FOX 3 lead-in fight, it is difficult to imagine that the contest goes long enough for it to be a truly great fight.

While I have a feeling we'll all be wanting a bit more when this one comes to a close, chances are that Johnson-Barry goes out with a bang rather than a whimper. 

Just lower your expectations for this bout from a great fight to a great finish, then sit back and wait for your gratification.