UFC Night 58: 5 Reasons to Watch Machida vs. Dollaway Fight Card

In connection with UFC 181 and UFC on Fox 13, the promotion has been ablaze these past few weeks.

It's been a worthwhile prelude to "The Time is Now" billing that's due to take place early next year.

But before the chaos ensues in what could be the biggest year ever for the UFC, one more event needs to take shape: UFC Fight Night 58.

Headlined by an undervalued middleweight collision between staple Lyoto Machida and a peaking C.B. Dollaway, Saturday's main course in Barueri, Brazil, should be an entertaining way to end 2014.

Here are five reasons to watch this weekend as the mixed martial gods offer fans an early Christmas gift.

5. Erick Silva's Redemption

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Erick Silva is now 30 years old and quickly losing the illustrious label as one of the most promising young fighters in the sport.

In order to restore that vibe inside the cage after nearly defeating Matt Brown at UFC Fight Night 40, he needs to make a statement.

Silva will be taking on a desperate Mike "Biggie" Rhodes, who has lost both of his Octagon appearances via unanimous decision.

That means that both welterweights should be on the prowl for a finish, especially considering the Brazilian will be competing in front of a home crowd.

4. Antonio Carlos Junior's Light Heavyweight Debut

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After winning The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 heavyweight tournament, submission expert Antonio Carlos Junior decided to make a move down to 205.

As an undefeated 24-year-old who is already considered one of the best grappling gurus in the division, the young Brazilian could have a chance to shine in a rather shallow division.

But he will have to defeat the streaking Patrick Cummins, who will attempt to win his third straight fight and finally leave his coffee-serving days behind him.

It's not going to be easy, but since Cummins is a wrestling maniac who will more than likely aim to secure a variety of takedowns, Shoe Face (yup, that's Junior's nickname translated from Portuguese) will have plenty of opportunities to secure a finish off his back.

3. Renan Barao's Statement

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Talk about a downfall.

Former bantamweight kingpin Renan Barao went from pound-for-pound great to fighting the relatively underrated and No. 14-ranked Mitch Gagnon on Fox Sports 1.

That's what happens when you decisively lose the UFC Bantamweight Championship to T.J. Dillashaw back at UFC 173 and then have to drop out of the highly anticipated rematch at UFC 177 due to an unhealthy and egregious weight cut.

Needless to say, The Baron must earn back the respect of his peers and the acclaim of the UFC's most loyal fans.

He will be a heavy favorite when he steps inside the Octagon opposite Gagnon this Saturday, but the Canadian is the best submission expert in the division besides Bryan Caraway, so all bets are off.

2. C.B. Dollaway's Ascension

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C.B. Dollaway has most certainly earned his spot in the main event this weekend.

With a 4-1 UFC record dating back to 2012, the overpowering wrestler has become a more complete fighter every time he's stepped inside the cage.

His combinations inside and ability to hurt an opponent on the feet have manifested tenfold, making him one of the toughest outs in the middleweight division when you pair that success with his effective ground-and-pound.

But as good as Dollaway has been, he's going to be facing one of the very best fighters over the past five years in Lyoto Machida.

It's going to take a whole lot for the 31-year-old to overtake The Dragon in front of Brazil's finest, but crazier things have happened, and Dollaway's ascension seemingly knows no limits.

1. Lyoto Machida and the Brazilian Crowd

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Lyoto Machida is one of those guys you want to watch any time he's fighting, let alone when it's free and he's being backed by thousands of Brazilians live.

As arguably the best counterstriker of all time, the Brazilian is always one slick punch away from laying his opponent on the canvas.

That alone should cement your viewership.

And considering his defeat at the hands of champion Chris Weidman at UFC 175 was a closely contested brawl, Machida could regain his title contention with only one or two impressive victories.

If Dollaway puts up a fight, then that's good, too. Who doesn't enjoy a five-round war?

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