UFC: The 10 Best Upcoming Fights in the Octagon

After seeing Jon Jones dismantle Rampage Jackson at UFC 135, I decided to take a look at the upcoming fights this year. After looking at them, I have concluded that this might be the most exciting time to watch the UFC.

With UFC growing after the take overs of the WEC and Strikeforce, there are so many more must-see fights in every UFC event.

Many of these upcoming events are going to feature fights that have me drooling just thinking about them.

Here are the the 10 best upcoming UFC fights.

10. Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson

Event: UFC on Fox

The winner of this fight will most likely face the winner of the Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard fight. This fight is going to provide excitement, entertainment and unbelievable energy unlike we ever have seen before.

Both Clay Guida and Ben Henderson are guys who like to put on great and exciting fights for the fans. I expect this to be an absolute slug fest with both fighters covered in blood.

This fight has the potential to become fight of the year, in my opinion.

9. Nick Diaz vs. B.J. Penn

Event: UFC 137

This fight was not suppose to happen. Nick Diaz was suppose to have a title match with GSP and B.J. Penn was suppose to have a fight with Carlos Condit, to determine the new No.1 contender.

But after that whole "where's Nick Diaz" fiasco, Condit got the title shot, resulting in Diaz facing Penn in UFC 137.

Both fighters like to keep the fight on their feet and both will slug it out until one of them lands on the canvas. Both fighters have great jiu-jitsu as well, but I don't think they will need to use it in this particular fight.

8. Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian

Event: UFC 136: For the UFC Featherweight Championship

This might be Kenny Florian's last title shot in the UFC. He must erase the demons of his previous title fights and prove Dana White wrong, in saying that he chokes on the big stage. Florian had started as a middleweight and has since moved to the featherweight because he believes it is his best chance of becoming a world champion.

There's just one problem: Jose Aldo.

Aldo is just out of this world. This man is dangerous. Anderson Silva said he would retire if Aldo was a middleweight.

But Ado looked vulnerable in his last fight, giving Florian a chance at winning this fight.

I expect Florian to fight his heart out and do what's necessary to defeat Aldo.

7. Brian Stann vs. Chael Sonnen

Event: UFC 136

Finally, the much anticipated return of Chael Sonnen is about to arrive. After making Anderson Silva look human, he was indefinitely suspended, making many of us fans anticipate for his return back into the octagon.

Sonnen will make his return to the octagon against a very impressive Brian Stann, who recently destroyed Chris Leben.

Both fighters have very contrasting styles. Stann likes to slug it out and beat people up wit his boxing, while Sonnen loves to take his opponents to the ground and beat the living pulp out of them.

Something's got to give in this fight, as the winner will get a title shot against Anderson Silva. Many of us are hoping we get to see the rematch between Sonnen and Silva.

6. Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem

Brock Lesnar will finally get to return to the octagon at UFC 141. But, he will have his hands full when he comes up against Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem.

Overeem will finally make his anticipated UFC debut against one of the faces of the UFC in Brock Lesnar.

Lesnar much come up with a better game plan against Overeem than he did against Velasquez. Overeem is more dominant standing up against Lesnar and can sometimes hold his own on the ground.

Expect a more determined Lesnar than we ever seen before against a very confident Overeem in an exciting fight that will determine the new No. 1 contender for the heavyweight division.

5. Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans

Event: Not scheduled as of yet: For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Everyone knows about the bad blood between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans. Both these guys were great friends and training partners at Greg Jackson's gym.

Then Rashad was the No. 1 contender for Shogun Rua's title, but was unable to fight because of injury.

Jones, who fought for the No. 1 contender spot in Evan's absence destroyed Rua to become the new light heavyweight champion.

Rashad then left Greg Jackson and a war of words began between both fighters.

With so much tension between these two athletes, I can't wait for the carnage to unfold inside the octagon.

4. Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit

Event: UFC 137: For the UFC Welterweight Championship

Georges St. Pierre has cleaned out the welterweight division and no one could give him a run for his money. All those who tried failed in doing so.

Then, Pierre was given his biggest challenge yet when he was set to fight Nick Diaz at UFC 137.

However, Diaz was a no show at the press conferences and was denied the chance of fighting St. Pierre.

Dana White then announced that Carlos Condit would be Pierre's opponent at UFC 137.

Both who are coached by Greg Jackson, will have to go without Jackson in their corner for this fight.

Condit possesses the tools that can trouble Pierre and could dethrone him. This fight could also determine whether the super fight between Pierre and Silva happens or not.

3. Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua

Event: UFC 139

This is a fight many diehard MMA fans have been waiting for. Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua have always been at the top of the game and many of us are dying to see these two square off.

These two have looked sharp in their recent performances and we will not be disappointed as this proves to be an epic encounter between these two legends of the sport.

2. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard III

Event: UFC 136: For the UFC Lightweight Championship

If this fight can bring as much as excitement as the first two, everyone will be satisfied with it.

Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard put on a show in their last encounter with a five round thriller. Maynard looked to ave put Edgar away in the first round but Edgar showed the true heart of a champion and survived. He then battled back and got a draw and retained his belt.

Hopefully Maynard and Edgar will come up successful once again with providing the fans with a thrilling fight to remember.

1. Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos

Event: UFC on Fox: For the UFC Heavyweight Championship

This could be one of the most important fights in UFC history. Dana White said this fight could get UFC into the mainstream, so a lot of importance goes into this title fight.

This fight is going down as the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history. Both Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez are the future of the heavyweight division. They are well-rounded fighters with great stand up and great ground games.

There is no clear-cut favorite in this fight, making it the most highly anticipated fight in the near future. Plus it is free to everyone, so that makes in more anticipating as well.

The UFC is hoping this fight will deliver, and it will.