Five Upcoming MMA Fights to Salivate Over

This is a great time of year if you are a sports fan. Football season is starting, the baseball playoffs are around the corner, and there are some big fights on the horizon.

Looking over the upcoming fight schedules, I could not help but get excited. In the upcoming months, there are five fights that have truly struck my fancy.

5. Kenny Florian vs. Clay Guida (UFC 106)

How could you not be pumped for this matchup? Clay Guida is never in a dull fight, and Kenny Florian will be looking to rebound from his disastrous loss to BJ Penn.

The thing that really has me intrigued about this matchup is seeing how Florian is going to rebound. Florian has done a great job of evolving since his time on TUF. I am curious to see what Florian and his camp have been working on. If Florian wants to work his way back into the lightweight title picture, he cannot afford a loss to Guida.

Guida is a tough matchup for everyone in the division because of the pace that he sets. Guida has relentless takedowns and applies constant pressure to his opponents. Florian has pretty good cardio, but there are few, if any, who are on Guida's level.

A win for Guida would definitely throw his name into the title fight hat, but he would likely still need one win over a top contender.

I see Florian winning this fight via RNC. Florian is just too well rounded for Guida at this point. Guida will not disappoint though and will put on a great show as always—too bad for him that it will be in a losing effort. 

4. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rodgers (TBD)

A proven commodity versus an unknown quantity. If you are not excited to watch the mastery that is Fedor, then you can hardly call yourself an MMA fan.

Fedor, like most greats, has the ability to make a good fighter look terrible. There is nothing that Fedor can't do in a fight. Fedor has the ability and skill to finish a fight in any situation and from any position. He is truly one of the all-time greats in our very young sport.

Rodgers is young, raw, and—for the most part—his skill set is unknown. What we do know is that he has dynamite in his hands. I just think that he is too raw and too untested for the likes of Fedor.

I can say with near certainty that Fedor will be winning this fight. I am looking for him to do this via armbar in the first round. This will be a great opportunity for Rodgers because not many people get to fight a legend. My advice: Take your lumps and learn from the master.

3. Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua (UFC 106)

"The Shogun" versus "The Dragon"...sounds like an awesomely bad kung fu movie, right? Wrong—this is a matchup between undefeated karate master Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua, who was at one time considered by many to be the top LHW in the world.

On the surface you would think that Rua is tailor-made for Machida because of his aggressive style. But I think that Rua is going to surprise a lot of people and turn this fight into a war. I am excited to see what Rua's game plan will be going into this fight.

Machida is so successful because he is so unique in his style. What truly makes him great in my eyes is his ability to elude attacks and damage. I am very interested to see how he is going to react when someone finally does catch him.

Rua will be looking to prove to the world that he is still that same fighter that was once considered the top LHW in the world. Rue's clinches and knee strikes are that of legend. But the question remains—will he be able to take advantage of that against the elusive counter-striker in Machida?

I am torn on who will be the victor in this fight. Machida has an uncanny ability not to take any damage. I am still hoping to see the Rua of old. I am going to with Machida via decision. I do hope we get the chance to see Machida is a bad situation though—just to see how he reacts.

2. Rashad Evans vs. Quinton Jackson (UFC 107)

These guys do not like each other one bit, and they are going to put on a great show. These guys are very similar. Both have good wrestling, and both love to stand and bang. Someone is going to get knocked out in this fight.

This fight is going to continue to gain steam as we head into the newest edition of TUF. I am pretty pumped for this season because these coaches have a true rivalry.

I am going to give Evans the edge in the wrestling department because of his collegiate experience. Evans should look to mix it up and keep Jackson guessing. The more diverse his attack is, the better chance he is going to have in this fight.

Jackson is going to have the advantage on the feet in my eyes. But let’s not forget that his wrestling is no joke. He was able to give Dan Henderson fits on the ground, and Henderson is Olympic caliber. Jackson wants to keep this fight standing, and he should have no problem finding his range.

I am picking Jackson to win this fight via KO. I think that Evans is in love with his striking ability. Mix that with the animosity he has towards Jackson, and you have a situation that is not going to end well for Evans.

1. Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin (UFC 106)

The unstoppable force meets the immovable object. If you are not pumped for this matchup, check your pulse because you are dead. These two men represent the new breed of HW. They are not only huge and powerful but also extremely agile and athletic.

Lesnar, love him or hate him, has the physical ability and wrestling pedigree to be a dominating force in the division for the foreseeable future. Lesnar embodies the phrase "freak of nature." His athletic ability alone would be enough to give anyone fits in the cage, but his ability to adapt to MMA so quickly is what makes him dangerous.

Lesnar is still a raw talent but has already proved himself against some of the best in the business.

Carwin is a freight train. He is the definition of one-punch knockout power. Carwin, like Lesnar, is a former collegiate champion, but unlike Lesnar, he has made his presence known through his striking ability.

As much as I like Carwin and love his approach to the game, I just don't see him winning this fight unless he can stop the takedown. Gabriel Gonzaga was able to take Carwin down, so I am unsure of his takedown defense in an MMA setting.

Lesnar may seem like an ignorant, boorish caveman, but he is no fool. Lesnar should know that his striking is not on the same level as Carwin's at this time and push the fight for the takedown.

I am picking Lesnar to win this fight. Even though he has fewer fights, he has fought the better competition. Also, Carwin has never been pushed in a fight, so his cardio is an unknown quantity. I see Lesnar being able to take Carwin to the mat and impose his will. Lesnar via TKO in the third round.

So there you have it. Those are the fights that this fight fan is dying to see. I am eager to hear what all of you are looking forward to.