Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck and the 10 Best Fights Left in 2010

As we approach the tail end of 2010, there are still a few fights that we can look forward to.

The centerpiece of this year-ending run has to be The Ultimate Fighter season 12 coaches, Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koshcheck facing off for the Welterweight crown, in a highly anticipated rematch from their first meeting at UFC 74.

You might ask, "What else could there be?". Well B/R gives you a rundown of some key match ups that you should be on the look out for as we head into the holiday season. 

December 4th : Strikeforce: Henderson Vs. Babalu II

Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Venue: Scottrade Center
Broadcast: Showtime

Summary 

The year ending event for the Luigi of MMA promotions - Strikeforce, sizes up to be a solid offering.

Notable Fights on the Main Card

Dan Henderson vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral

This is the second meeting between the veteran fighters. In their first fight, which took place over a decade ago at RINGS: King of Kings 1999, Hendo was able to obtain a split decision victory in what was just his 9th ever MMA fight. 

Now we see a seasoned fighter who has amassed a pretty impressive resume from his days in Pride as well as a recent stint in the UFC. 

In his opponent,Sobral, we see a man who has been fighting nearly as long as Henderson and has been all over the MMA map as well.

While Henderson was always touted for his wrestling prowess, in recent years he's been more reliant on his jaw rattling power punches. If Sobral is smart, he might want to take Hendo down and try to use his aggressive submission style to get the win, otherwise it's lights out. 

Herschel Walker vs. Scott Carson

In just his second MMA fight, Walker at 48 years old is making a case for why age is simply just a state of mind. While it's highly unlikely that he'll ever be in title contention, it is interesting to see where an athlete like Walker will be able to go in the sport as he progresses in his skill set. 

Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith

Paul Daley has finally settled in with a new promotion after securing wins with lower level promotions such as Shark FIghts and Impact Fighting Championships. After being bounced from the UFC due his post fight cheap shot on Josh Koscheck at UFC 113, Daley, a UK native, now has a chance to get back in the mix as a high level contender within the welterweight division. 

However, he's got a tough test ahead of him in Scott Smith. The Rocky Balboa of MMA can take a punch, and can give just as good as he gets.

In addition, Smith wouldn't have to worry too much about Daley's ground game since most UK fighters unfortunately suffer from a major deficiency in that area, and the man they call "Semtex" isn't any different. 

It's best not to blink when watching this one. 

December 4th: The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale

Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Venue: Palms Casino Resort
Broadcast: Spike TV

Summary 

In typical Zuffa fashion, The Season 12 Ultimate Fighter Finale will be offering counter programming on the same night as Strikeforce's St.Louis card.

This has been a standard practice by the UFC for many years now, and in some cases it tends to work out pretty well, since they like to promote their counter programming events as "free TV"; which basically means that you get to view a UFC card without having to fork over the $50 pay-per-view fee. 

Notable Fights on the Main Card

Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac

Stephan Bonnar, whose nickname should be changed to "The Ultimate Loser" will be facing off against mid level Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac.

While suffering a string of recent losses - 3 out of his last 4 - Bonnar will always have a place in the UFC since he has the notable distinction of being involved in one of the most exciting fights in MMA history, thus sparking the movement towards the sport becoming widely accepted in the mainstream. 

( For more history on this topic check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_Griffin_vs._Stephan_Bonnar )

Finalist No. 1 vs. Finalist No. 2

As we enter the final episode of the season on Wednesday, it is conceivable that we'll see Jonathan Brookins (team GSP) and Nam Phan (team Koscheck) making it to this fight with Brookins most likely taking the Season 12 contract and title. 

Kendall Grove vs. Demian Maia

This fight heavily favors Maia as his high level BJJ will probably overwhelm Grove. Look for this to end in a late second round submission. 

December 11: UFC 124: St-Pierre Vs. Koscheck 2

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Venue: Bell Centre
Broadcast: Pay-per-view

Summary 

If you have been watching the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, then you know that the two opposing coaches on season 12 are mainstream MMA's poster boy, Georges St. Pierre and super heel, Josh Koscheck. 

The UFC is really hyping this as it's marquee match up to close out 2010; going so far as to premiering a really great promo during this past weekend's 123 card. 

Notable Fights on the Main Card

Georges St-Pierre(C) vs. Josh Koscheck (for welterweight title)

This rematch from UFC 74 will have so much more riding on the line beyond just a Championship Belt.

Depending on who wins the six figure contract during The Ultimate Finale earlier in the month, the winning coach might have a bit of a mental edge going in to the fight. 

From St.Pierre's stand point, a win over a much hated yet highly improved Koscheck would further cement his legacy as the greatest pound for pound fighter in MMA.

In addition, a victory makes a further case for GSP possibly moving up to middleweight or fighting Anderson Silva at a 180lb catch weight. 

With a Koscheck win you'll have a ton of bile and hatred being spewed in the TUF season 1 semi - finalist's direction, as he is probably one of the most loathed fighters in MMA next to Tim Silvia. 

It's been over three years since they've last fought with GSP frustrating Koscheck by way of a sold ground attack that put him completely off guard.

The question being asked going into this fight is, has Koscheck improved enough to cause any kind of problem for St.Pierre, who seems to light years ahead of everyone else in the division? 

Jim Miller vs. Charles Oliveira

This is a great test for up and coming lightweight Charles Oliveira. If you have never heard of him, you will remember his name after this fight. 

In his UFC debut at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko , he steam rolled Darren Elkins with a lightning fast submission 41 seconds into round 1. Just one month later, he won Submission of the Night honors with a rear naked choke victory over TUF season 8 winner Efrain Escudero. 

In Jim Miller, Oliveira has to contend with a well rounded and seasoned fighter. Expect to see Oliveira put in his best work to date as this is his first fight on a UFC Pay - Per - View . 

December 16: WEC 53: Henderson Vs. Pettis

Location: Glendale, Ariz.
Venue: Jobing.com Arena
Broadcast: Versus

Summary 

If you have been living under a rock for the last month, you probably haven't heard that the WEC will finally be absorbed into the more high profile roster of their parent company, the UFC.

With the announcement of the merger coming out on October 28th, the UFC will plan to debut their new additions beginning in January 2011. With that said, there is still one final WEC card left to be held.

WEC 53 actually holds a significant meaning for the promotion's lightweight fighters as the overlap between both companies at that weight class will cause the UFC brass to cut a number of fighters in order to make room on it's already massive roster.  

With seven 155lb fights on this card, it's highly plausible that the losers of these match ups are going to get their walking papers. It definitley gives the term "fight for your life" a whole new meaning. 

Notable Fights on the Main Card

Benson Henderson (C) vs. Anthony Pettis (for lightweight title)

This is a great upcoming fight featuring the current WEC 155lb champ Benson Henderson taking on rising star, Anthony "Showtime" Pettis for the title. Both fighters have great stand up, but where Pettis might be in trouble is when the fight goes to the ground. 

Henderson, a BJJ brown belt and great take down technician, will be able to overwhelm Pettis should the fight go that route. 

With the winner of this match up automatically becoming the # 1 contender for the much more valuable  UFC Lightweight title, expect this fight to bring out the best in both combatants.  

Dominick Cruz(C) vs. Scott Jorgensen (for bantamweight title)

While the Lightweight battle is a multi step process to finalizing a UFC champ over the next few months, the Bantamweight title is pretty much a lock once this fight takes place, since there's never been a 135lb weightclass in the UFC before. 

Cruz, the division's current camp looks to make his second title defense against the incredibly determined and explosive Scott Jorgensen. Look for this fight to possibly go to decision in favor of Jorgensen. 

Follow Will Anderson On Twitter!

Will Anderson is growing into a juggernaut on the MMA media scene.

While his articles are both thought provoking and entertaining, it's his drive to share his passion of the sport with others by creating a platform for other aspiring writers to display their work. 

Will is a Featured MMA Columnist on Bleacher Report and an MMA Columnist for Real Sports Net.com; in addition, he has also made guest appearances on The Sprawl N Brawl internet Radio Show

( http://www.blogtalkradio.com/sprawlnbrawl ), as well as creating the fast growing facebook group: The MMA Writer's Block. 

On top of all that, he still finds time to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Eduardo Santos of Lotus Club. 

To keep up with this rising star, follow him on Twitter: 

@CageCrusader