UFC 119 Preview: Five Things To Expect at UFC 119

UFC will invade Indiana next weekend when Frank Mir battles Mirko Cro Cop in a heavyweight clash featured as the main event at UFC 119. The event has no title defenses so it will be a stacked card from top to bottom featuring talent from multiple divisions. Each bout has it's own storyline heading into the event and it will have a significant impact on the fighters depending on the outcome.

In this slide, we'll take a look at some things to expect at UFC 119 while profiling the main card.

Here are the 5 Things To Expect At UFC 119.

No.5: Another Contender Will Arise In Lightweight Division

The lightweight division in UFC is becoming a talented division with loads of an up and coming roster of fighters that are emerging as contenders. UFC 119 will add another contender onto that list with the winner of Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens. Both Stephens and Guillard are two of the division's most exciting fighters and are both riding two fight win streaks.

Since joining the well respected MMA coach Greg Jackson, Guillard has greatly improved in his past two fights, as he has shown great patience and better submission skills. Should he continue to adapt to his new style and coach, Guillard can walk away with an important victory at UFC 119.

Jeremy Stephens is on a roll himself, earning Fight of the Night and Knockout of The Night honors in his past two showings. Stephens, who owns 13 wins via knockout, will have no problem looking to stand and trade with his opponent.

The winner of this match up will certainly receive more competitive fights and will begin to ascend atop the rankings of the lightweight division.

No.4: A Make Or Break Performance Out Of Sean Sherk

The former UFC Lightweight champion has been out of action for a year due to injuries and will now have the chance to redeem himself and look to get back onto the win column at UFC 119. Sherk will return to square off against Evan Dunham, an aggressive fighter who is undefeated so far in his MMA career. Although Sherk will return, it's questionable how he will perform after sustaining injuries and a long layoff.

Since losing the Lightweight title to BJ Penn two years ago, Sherk hasn't been impressive and has lost two of his past three fights.

Dunham is a hungry up and coming fighter who will be looking to test Sherk, and at 37-years old Sherk isn't getting any younger. UFC 119 will be a defining moment for Sean Sherk and his fight with Dunham will show where Sherk is at in his career.

No.3: A Loss Will Put Matt Serra As A Gatekeeper at 170lbs

Matt Serra will look to stay relevant in the welterweight division at UFC 119 when he does battle with Chris Lytle. The 36-year old Serra has had a storied career but should he lose to Lytle then he will become a stepping stone to other young talent.

Both fighters are equally skilled and versatile and won't mind to take the fight to the ground, as both Serra and Lytle are black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This fight should be one of the more entertaining bouts of the night and could win Fight of The Night honors.

While neither fighter is on the radar to earn a title shot anytime soon, there is still a sense of restoring some pride for themselves.

No.2: A New Light Heavyweight Contender Will Be Crowned

One of the most anticipated fights on the card is undoubtedly the co-main event featuring Ryan Bader and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. This fight will definitely prove which competitor is worthy of a title shot in the near future.

Nogueira had an impressive debut when he knocked out Luiz Cane, displaying crisp boxing and forcing the fellow Brazilian to commit. He also earned Knockout of the Night. However he followed up with a less than stellar performance against Jason Brillz winning via unanimous decision. Nogueira will look to rebound against Bader.

Ryan Bader has been on a tear since winning season eight of The Ultimate Fighter picking up wins over Eric Schafer and most recently Keith Jardine. Bader could ascend among the light heavyweight rankings with a win over the elder Nogueria and establish himself as a top contender.

No.1: Mir Will Look To Stay Relevant In The Heavyweight Division

Originally scheduled to be a rematch from UFC 92, Frank Mir will now face Mirko Cro Cop after his original opponent Antonio Rodrigio Nogueira pulled out due to injury. A bout between Cro Cop and Mir is actually quite intriguing as Cro Cop seems to have something left in his gas tank, especially stepping in on a five week notice.

While Mir continues to evolve as a mixed martial artist, his stand up has greatly improved also. He has earned knockout victories over Antonio Rodrigio Nogueira and Wes Sims, plus he out struck and knocked down the dangerous French kick boxer Cheick Kongo.

Although it won't be Mirko Cro Cop from Pride, he does hold a slight advantage in striking as he still possesses some of the most deadliest kicks in MMA today. If the fight is contested on the ground, Mir holds a significant advantage over Cro Cop as he one of the best submission specialists in MMA

Regardless, either Mir or Cro Cop will look stay relevant and perhaps can insert themselves into the title picture with a win at UFC 119.