UFC 131 Fight Card Analysis: Who's on the Hot Seat?

How about that picture? If that doesn't tell you I am moving up in the world then I don't know what does! The Hot Seat is back and this time we will focus on UFC 131: Carwin vs. Dos Santos which will take place this Saturday night from Vancouver.

Dos Santos was originally scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar with the winner getting the next shot at current champion Cain Velasquez, but Lesnar was once again felled by diverticulitis and forced to withdraw from the bout.

So in steps the returning Shane Carwin, the former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion who himself is coming back from neck surgery. Carwin was scheduled to take on UFC newcomer Jon Olav Einemo, but jumped at the opportunity to participate in a number one contenders bout.

I recently had an opportunity to interview Carwin and he is as focused as ever and ready to move one step closer to winning the heavyweight title. He is very confident and for good reason, he hits like a mack truck. He is one of the sports truly good guys and deserves all the success he attains.

Kenny Florian will make his debut as a featherweight when he takes on Diego Nunes. Since joining the UFC for the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005 Florian has fought as a middleweight, welterweight and lightweight. If anyone knows of another fighter who has fought in four different weight classes please let me know.

So without wasting any more time, let's take a look at who may find themselves unemployed this time next week.

Mike Massenzio

Massenzio will be returning to the Octagon after a one fight hiatus that saw him get a much needed win at a regional show in New Hampshire in April. His overall record is 12-4 and he is 1-2 fighting for the UFC.

He won his debut against Drew McFedries back in September of 2008, he followed that up with a loss to C.B. Dolloway at UFC 92 and was not seen again until August of 2010. He lost to Brian Stann at UFC on Versus: Jones vs. Matyushenko. He did earn a bonus for Fight of the Night, but was subsequently cut.

He is taking on Krzysztof Soszynski on Saturday night as a late replacement for Igor Pokrajac and will fight as a light heavyweight this time around. Although Dana White appreciates fighters stepping up and taking on challenges like this, there is no doubt that Massenzio needs a win in order to get another fight in the UFC.

Jason Young

There isn't all that much information on Young. I do know he is from London, England and sports an 8-3 record. He has fought for Cage Rage, Ultimate Challenge and a few other regional promotions. He is facing Dustin Poirer who is coming off a huge upset victory over former featherweight contender Josh Grispi.

It doesn't seem as though Young is long for the UFC. That's not to say he won't get another fight if he wins, but I can't see him sticking around if he loses unless it's some type of Fight of the Night bonus. Young is a late replacement for Rani Yahya who was moved to UFC 133 so he could face Chad Mendes. 

Joey Beltran

The man with one of the best nicknames in all of Mixed Martial Arts, Joey "The Mexicutioner" Beltran is back inside the Octagon for the fifth time on Saturday night. Beltran is 2-2 in the UFC, but unfortunately those two losses have come in his last two fights.

After defeating Rolles Gracie and Tim Hague, Beltran fought Matt Mitrione and the two put on one hell of a performance. In fact both men went home a little richer that night when they were awarded the Fight of the Night bonus. Up next was a meeting with Pat Barry at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2. In another close one, Beltran lost by unanimous decision once again.

A lot of fighters would have been cut following their second consecutive loss, but because of his go for broke style and a sincere desire to put on a great show and please the fans, Beltran was given another opportunity. It seems unlikely however that he could survive another loss regardless of how well of a performance he puts on.

He faces UFC newcomer Aaron Rosa who has fought for Shark Fights, Titan FC, Bellator and Strikeforce Challengers. He holds an impressive record of 16-3, but his biggest win to date was over Anthony Ruiz. This is a fight that Beltran has to win or it's back to the regional circuit.

Michihiro Omigawa

Omigawa made his return to the Octagon at UFC 126 against Chad Mendes. It was apparent from the start that he was overmatched and went on to lose a lopsided unanimous decision. The loss snapped a five fight win streak he had accumulated while fighting in Japan.

In his previous tour of duty with the UFC Omigawa went 0-2 with decision losses to Matt Wiman and Thiago Tavares. If Omigawa loses to Darren elkins at UFC 131 and runs his UFC record to 0-4 that should be it for 35 year old Japanese Judoka.

He ran into a good wrestler in Mendes and proved once again that a lot of these Japanese fighters have a tough time when facing an opponent with a solid wrestling background. A win here would be good for not only Omigawa, but the UFC as it helps them to have successful Japanese fighters on their roster.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 131, including the latest UFC 131 results, fight card analysis, UFC 131 news and live reaction from Vancouver.