Power Ranking the Upcoming UFC Title Fights

As 2011 comes full circle, the UFC has provided fans with some exciting title bouts. 

Each title bout had its own storyline and implications for its respective division, and each fighter put on a great performance. And as we near the end of another memorable year in mixed martial arts, there are still more title bouts to be seen. 

We'll look at the rest of the title bouts scheduled this year, power ranking them in order of importance, impact and relevance.

No. 5: Dominick Cruz vs. Demetrious Johnson

After coming off an impressive performance against Uriah Faber at UFC 132, UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will defend his title against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus. 

The resilient champion will look to keep his win streak intact against Johnson, as he is expected to retain his title according to odds makers.

Johnson, while he might be short in stature, he generates a lot of power and is very good at closing distance.

Cruz is an unorthodox fighter with excellent striking and superior speed, and he will want to take advantage of the reach and distance against a smaller opponent in Johnson.

This will be Cruz's second title defense in the UFC.

No. 4: Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian

UFC 129 was enough to get fans interested in Jose Aldo as he successfully defended his featherweight title against Mark Hominick.

Aldo's combination of speed, accuracy and aggression makes him a dominant force in the featherweight division, and it even has some fans dubbing him as the "featherweight version of Anderson Silva."

The Brazilian will make his next title defense against Kenny Florian. Florian made his featherweight debut earlier this year at UFC 131, where he scored a victory over Aldo's teammate Diego Nunes. Florian possesses good ground-and-pound, along with an underrated submission game. 

Aldo and Florian will serve as the co-main event at UFC 136.

No. 3: Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit

In one of the most anticipated title bouts of the year, Georges St-Pierre will attempt to tie the UFC record for most successful welterweight title defenses when he meets Carlos Condit at UFC 137. 

Originally, St-Pierre was expected to headline against Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz and Condit was to be featured in the co-main event against BJ Penn, but after Diaz did not show up at the press conference, Condit was his filled in as his replacement. 

The champion will face a formidable opponent in Condit, who has been on a tear in the welterweight division, picking up victories over Rory McDonald and Dong-Hyun-Kim. Meanwhile, St-Pierre has been nothing short of dominant during his title reign and is close to cleaning out the welterweight division. 

With Condit's versatile striking and resilience, and St-Pierre's strategic game planning and athleticism, this matchup should be one of the most entertaining bouts of the year.

No. 2: Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard will look to settle their differences in an anticipated rubber match when they meet at UFC 136. 

Their first two bouts have provided a lot of action and excitement. Maynard picked up the victory in first fight, but their second bout saw both fighters go to a unanimous draw. 

The bout was met with controversy and debate as to who won, but an immediate rematch was originally scheduled for UFC 131, before Edgar was forced to pull out of the event due to injury.

With both fighters seemingly healthy and prepared to meet once again, they will headline UFC 136 next month.

No. 1: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos

When heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos meet at UFC on FOX, it will be one of the most anticipated heavyweight matchups in recent memory. 

Both Velasquez and dos Santos have been on a collision course in the heavyweight division and are two of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC. 

Velasquez captured the heavyweight title from Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 last year, before he suffered an injury that required him to miss the majority of 2011.

Dos Santos has ran through his opposition since his UFC debut in 2009 and has shown no signs of slowing down. His latest win over Shane Carwin showed the Brazilian to be more versatile with his offense, implementing fluid striking combinations and wrestling, and solidified him as the No. 1 contender. 

Both heavyweights are evenly matched and should put on one of the most competitive title bouts in UFC history.