UFC on FOX 5: Favorites for the "Fight Night" Awards

In what comes as a bit of a surprise, tonight has some pretty clear-cut favorites for post-fight bonuses. Events typically have a handful of fights and fighters who look like heavy candidates to take home some extra change, but tonight’s UFC on FOX 5 card separates it from past events in the fact that there are four men who look to be near shoo-ins for the rewards.

In fact, the only question that really haunts me is: Who’s going to take home that submission of the night award?

I’ve got a fair idea of who’s going to leave with “Fight of the Night” honors, and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that I know who will exit with a “Knockout of the Night” award. But that submission nod has me a bit stumped, I’ll admit.

Fight of the Night

Assuming this doesn’t end quickly and garner a completely different award, Mike Swick and Matt Brown should bank some extra cash tonight.

Matt Brown is going to pressure Swick from bell to bell, and Swick won’t just concede defeat: He’ll be looking to give everything he gets and then some. These guys both provide high-output striking, and neither man typically looks to stall on the mat.

A real-life Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots awaits viewers, and my gut tells me each man is tough enough to endure for an extended period of time. We may well see a finish, but it probably won’t come early—it’ll come after bodies have bounced off the canvas and against the cage, and plenty of blood has been shed by both men.  

Knockout of the Night

I hope I’m wrong in this prediction, because I love me some “Thugjitsu," but I see Yves Edwards ending up on the wrong side of this award.

Jeremy Stephens has been a head-hunter his entire career. His game plan is always to remove his opponent’s head from his body, and he’s got a great chance of turning that plan into reality against Yves.

Edwards’ time as an elite competitor may be winding down. He’s got 15 years and 60 fights under his belt and one must wonder how much longer the old dog can compete with the new breed, and for that matter, how many more vicious shots he can absorb without meeting unconsciousness.

Jeremy Stephens has bricks for fists, and finding the chin of Edwards will be no easy feat. Eventually it will happen, though. Stephens earns the “Knockout of the Night” award in the waning minutes of this compelling affair.

Submission of the Night

I predicted that Benson Henderson would exit the cage tonight a winner via unanimous decision. Had I not made that prediction, you’d see Nate’s name as my top pick for “Submission of the Night” honors. I’m still hoping Diaz proves me wrong, but for the sake of consistency, I’ve got to highlight another competitor who has a solid shot at finishing with an impressive submission.

That man is Scott Jorgensen. Scott’s not known as a submission machine, but he’s crafty in the cage and knows how to capitalize on mistakes, and he’ll take a win by whatever means necessary.

I see an entertaining striking match taking a sudden turn after John Albert eats a big shot from the former WEC standout. Jorgensen pounces on his wounded foe and locks up an impressive rear-naked choke to bring this battle to an end.

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