UFC on Fox: 10 Main Events to Consider for 2012

The recently announced deal between the UFC and Fox is a monumental move and a deal that will take mixed martial arts and the UFC to the next level of mainstream consciousness.

With the deal happening this late in 2011, it has left time for only a debut event in 2011 and the headline fight for that show is already brilliantly set. What better way to launch to fans then to showcase the heavyweight championship of the world with Velasquez vs. Dos Santos.

The anticipation for what the UFC has in store for Fox in 2012 is mind numbing and main event thoughts are running rampant.

Here are 10 Main Events for 2012 

10. Urijah Faber vs. Dominick Cruz III

Urijah Faber is one of the most popular and recognizable faces in the UFC. He is set to face Brian Bowles at UFC 139 in November for the No. 1 contender spot. If Faber can defeat Bowles, as many expect he will, he will be right back in place for another shot at champion Dominick Cruz.

These two fought this past year on pay-per-view in a very exciting, razor close fight that ended with Cruz retaining his belt via decision.

Along with Faber's rock-star-like popularity, these two men are at the top of the business in their weight class and, in my opinion, have unsettled business. This fight would draw a huge audience and be a great showcase for the sport.

9. Kenny Florian vs. Mark Hominick

Kenny Florian is getting his shot at Jose Aldo and the featherweight crown this coming October at UFC 138. If he is successful in that fight, then this fight does not make much sense, but I expect Aldo to beat Florian in October.

After that loss, and provided Mark Hominick wins his fight most likely scheduled for later this year, this would set up a dream contender fight in this division. While I am glad that Hominick got his well deserved shot against Aldo already, I feel like Florian is an impostor in this division and Hominick should be the one to send him out.

Florian is another one of those fighters with mainstream popularity, and would be a good choice to headline a Fox card, and Hominick's stock has never been higher with fans.

8. Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Leben

These two men have been television stars already in their careers, and we all remember the bad blood between them during the first season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Koscheck defeated Leben via decision on that show to get to the semi finals where he lost to Diego Sanchez, but things have evolved for both of these guys in the years following the show.

Koscheck moved up the ranks quickly in the welterweight division and has already had two shots at the title while Leben has had some issues and inconsistency, but his career is back on the level with Koscheck.

I would love to see these two clash again on Fox, and I think that these men would draw a large audience with them being two of the best hype machines in the business.

This time, I think the fight and outcome would be much different.

7. BJ Penn vs. Carlos Condit

We all know the story on the original matchup between these two phenomenal fighters, and I still want the stars to align this fight.

Thanks to Nick Diaz, Condit now has his chance to take on George St-Pierre for the title, and win or lose, this fight with Penn would be something for the fans to see. My opinion is that GSP will defeat Condit and that BJ. Penn will defeat Diaz to set up GSP vs. Penn III.

If the fans are not really interested in the third installment of that battle, then Condit-Penn would be one of the only other fights of interest out there for either guy.

Penn is a huge draw wherever he is and in whatever medium he is on, so this would be another great match for a ratings draw.

6. Vitor Belfort vs. Brian Stann

Brian Stann is the type of guy that you want representing you on American television. Promoting him and his story like only the UFC can would set up a huge audience, especially with world events and the malaise in the States right now. They need a hero, and Brian Stann is a natural.

He is already set to face Chael Sonnen in October to see if he can get a shot at Anderson Silva, but I believe that Sonnen will win that one.

If Stann loses, he will be looking for another top middleweight to keep his place on and Vitor Belfort is in the same boat. Provided he beats Cung Le, Belfort's style matches up nicely with Stann's to deliver stand -up fireworks worthy of a headliner.

5. Quinton Jackson vs Lyoto Machida II

Like it or not, these two may be on a collision course to have a second match based on the pecking order of the light heavyweight division.

Quinton Jackson beat Lyoto Machida via split decision back in November of 2010, and it could have gone either way in my opinion. These two men are in the mix with the likes of Jon Jones and Rashad Evans at the top of the division and things need to be sorted out in 2012.

Jackson would be the real draw in this match as his personality and style have a huge following in the States and the UK. Machida brings a growing name and if he beats Phil Davis, as he should, then he may need a rematch with Rampage to get to where he wants to go.

4. Josh Barnett vs. Shane Carwin

I am predicting that Josh Barnett will win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix later this year or early 2012, and he will use that title to sign with the UFC. Fans love heavyweight fights and why not give them a huge one on Fox in 2012 to follow up the title fight they are getting in Fox's debut.

The UFC will need a top heavyweight to welcome Barnett into the club and many different possibilities come to mind. He doesn't need a tune up against a fighter ranked between ten and twenty but he also should not jump right in for a number one contender or title shot either.

Shane Carwin is a very capable welcome wagon. he needs a bounce back fight once completely healthy and aside from the newly signed Alistair Overeem, he has already fought the men who occupy the top of the division.

3. Mauricio Rua vs. Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson is rumoured to be returning to the UFC and was in the mix to headline the UFC on Fox debut later this year. He is another very popular American fighter, and his stock has risen since his destruction of Fedor.

Mauricio Rua has just bounced back from his title loss to Jon Jones earlier this year, and his style is one of the most exciting and aggressive in the world.

These two men are right at the top of the food chain at 205 pounds and a sort out fight may be needed in 2012. It's not a title fight but these men have headlined before and would be a perfect fit for a high caliber free headline fight.

2. Frankie Edgar vs Benson Henderson

In my opinion, Frankie Edgar is the lowest profile champion the UFC has right now. A televised title fight is just the tonic that Edgar and the UFC need to show the fans what this champion is all about. He needs to beat Maynard in October of course.

Benson Henderson is on an extremely big role right now and if he can beat Clay Guida, his run would bring him face to face with a title shot in 2012. His style and pace is eye pleasing and entertaining and fans would tune in in droves.

Like many on this list, this fight may depend on how a few remaining fights in 2011 shake out, but the lightweight title is perfect for a televised event.

1. Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen II

Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the world, but, due to past cage behaviour, he is not the biggest pay-per-view draw in the UFC. He has had two consecutive solid performances to gain back some fan love and respect and a humble defence on free television would be the icing on the cake to get the fans to completely forget the past.

Chael Sonnen is Chael Sonnen outside the cage and he gave Silva all he could handle when they met inside the cage. Need I say more? He is the only 185-pounder worthy of being in there with Silva at this point.

Some may think this is too big a fight to have on a free card, but is it really much bigger than Velasquez vs. Dos Santos?

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net)

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma