The 25 Can't Miss Fights Remaining This Year

As the frost begins to spread over the pumpkin during these last three months of 2011, MMA fans can take solace in knowing there are more than 10 major events remaining this year.

Strikeforce, Bellator and the UFC all have plenty in the works. As usual, however, the heaviest action is happening in the Octagon, which will make its network television debut this November on Fox.

But there's lots happening across the landscape of the MMAp. Here are 25 bouts to circle on what's left of your 2011 calendar.

25. Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop, UFC 137

The ballyhooed Japanese featherweight will import his talent to the UFC when he debuts against TUF veteran Roop.

24. Alexander Gustaffson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, UFC 141

In the wake of the 24-year-old Gustafsson's collision with the 40-year-old Matyushenko, there could be evidence either that the guard is changing at light heavyweight, or that some things simply get better with age. 

23. Gegard Mousasi vs. Ovince St. Preux, Strikeforce 37

A former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ, Mousasi will enter the Strikeforce cage for the first time since an insipid draw with Keith Jardine back in the spring.

He'll have a stiff test against St. Preux, a former University of Tennessee football standout who is a perfect 5-0 in the promotion.

22. Ian McCall vs. Will Campuzano, Tachi Palace Fights 11

“Uncle Creepy” is very possibly the best flyweight in MMA. What's more, his V for Vendetta mustache may be the best at any weight class.

Fans will have the opportunity to double their pleasure when McCall AND his mustache make their first flyweight title defense Dec. 2 against WEC vet Campuzano.

21. Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, UFC 140

The first match between these two jiu-jitsu black belts ended when Mir TKO'd Big Nog at UFC 92.

In spite of that, Nogueira appears to have all the momentum here following his stirring knockout of Brendan Schaub at UFC Rio.

20. Martin Kampman vs. Rick Story, UFC 139

These two charismatic welterweights will square off for a ticket to the division’s top echelon. Kampmann’s kickboxing and Story’s wrestling will make for an interest contest of styles and wills.

19. Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone, UFC 137

A German fire hydrant of a kickboxer, Siver will face off with an equally dynamic opponent in Cerrone, the American Muay Thai specialist.

Riding into town on a five-fight winning streak, The Cowboy probably has an edge on the ground, but may still want to duke it out with Siver, himself a winner in his last four.

18. Rory MacDonald vs. Brian Ebersole, UFC 140

We’ll see if young MacDonald can keep his momentum going against Ebersole, a longtime MMA veteran but a UFC newcomer who was extremely impressive in his first two Octagon engagements.

If The Hairrow can upend Rory the Phenom, it'll be a whole new ballgame for both men.

17. Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione, UFC 137

They'll sling some heavy leather in this one. If Mitrione wants to be a big boy among the big boys, he'll have to get past the gate that is Cheick Kongo. And it just so happens that this gate, fresh off the biggest win of his career, may not yield so easily.

16. Anthony Pettis vs. Jeremy Stephens, UFC 136

When "Showtime" Pettis works to untrack his UFC career against the hard-hitting Stephens, the classic thunder vs. lightning matchup should generate plenty of electricity.

15. Thiago Alves vs. Papy Abedi, UFC 138

The stone-fisted Abedi is one of the sport's hottest prospects and will make his UFC debut against The Pit Bull. Between them, they have 16 career wins by knockout or technical knockout.

Not a lot of uncertainty over how this one will end.

14. Joe Lauzon vs. Melvin Guillard, UFC 136

Guillard has been making noise about deserving a title shot. And this time, people are listening. Winning five straight (three of them by knockout) will do that.

The calculating, dangerous Lauzon will be an apt measuring stick for the New Orleans native and his golden aspirations.

13. Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller, TUF 14 Finale

Here in the early going of "The Ultimate Fighter"'s 14th season, the Bisping Meter currently sits at about a 6.4.  By the time the finale rolls around, my guess is it will hover at around 13.

The rivalry between these two coaches and middleweight contenders is starting to heat up the TUF airwaves. Bisping is trying to pretend he's above all the pranks and smack talk. No one believes him. Least of all Miller, who has been known to get inside a head or two in his day.

That vein in your forehead is getting a little twitchy, Mike (can I call you Mike?).  Might want to have that checked out.

12. Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson, UFC on Fox

In a fight that may determine the next No. 1 contender at lightweight, the massively popular Guida will lock horns with the surging Bendo, who turned thousands of heads this summer with his resounding defeat of Jim Miller.

11. Alexis Vila vs. Marcos Galvao, Bellator 55

Vila put the bantamweight world on notice when he crushed favored Joe Warren last month in the first round of Bellator’s bantamweight tournament.

We’ll see if the likable Olympic wrestler and fearsome knockout artist can keep it going later this month against Galvao.

10. Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles, UFC 139

The winner is likely in line for the next shot at bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. Many fans are likely hoping for a Faber victory here so they can see a rubber match between the two champions.

9. Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann, UFC 136

Sonnen has been talking on eggshells ever since Joe Silva matched him up with the decorated war veterans. I imagine one or two people out there are relishing the silence. 

Once the cage door closes this Saturday, Sonnen's hard-to-resist wrestling will provide a very intriguing stylistic juxtaposition for Stann's forceful hands.

8. Chris Leben vs. Mark Munoz, UFC 138

Two heavy-handed middleweights will slug it out to see who the true contender is. That is, if bad boy Leben can fend off good boy Munoz's takedowns.

Personally, I'm hoping a slugfest breaks out in this one. With Leben involved, I like my chances.

7. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Dan Henderson, UFC 139

This summer at UFC Rio, Rua gained sweet, if violent, revenge over Forrest Griffin. Meanwhile, on the heels of his TKO of Fedor Emelianenko, Henderson bolted Strikeforce for the stable confines of the Octagon.

The winner between two very popular fighters—the Olympic wrestler and the Muay Thai assassinwill be well positioned for a light heavyweight title shot.

6. Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian, UFC 136

UFC featherweight champion and top-five pound-for-pounder Aldo makes his second title defense in the UFC. In the other corner is Florian, fighting at 145 for the just the second time.

Critics contend Florian didn't deserve this shot. Once the action begins, fans will know in short order whether KenFlo belongs with the explosive Aldo.

5. B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz, UFC 137

After Diaz's recent display of bush-leaguery, many observers and Internet surfers hope Penn metes out some rough justice in a few weeks.

Some have even gone so far as to dissect the nature of this theoretical beatdown. Will it be long and drawn out like Kenny Florian, or short and sweet like Caol Uno?

Only time will tell whether Penn will score the finish or whether Diaz will spoil the party and pull the upset.

4. Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit, UFC 137

Like Thiago Alves before him, Condit’s explosive striking game presents an intriguing foil to GSP’s wrestling and well-roundedness.

On paper, anyway.


(Photo credit: MMAMania)

3. Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard, UFC 136

Probably the remaining year's most-anticipated fight among the hardcore set.

This scintillating third match between lightweight champ Edgar and the undefeated Maynard will (with any luck) finally determine a definitive titlist after these two fought to a draw in their prior engagement.

2. Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar, UFC 141

You have to admit the former champ's return from a second battle with diverticulitis—a battle that, this time, took 12 inches of Lesnar's colon—is pretty compelling.

Add in the UFC debut for an equally galvanizing ex-champ in Overeem, and you've got a no-lose situation for pay-per-view buyers and organizers alike.

1. Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos, UFC on Fox

If you miss this one, turn in your fan badge at the front desk on your way out the door.

The heavyweight champ and the clear top challenger are a combined 22-1 with 16 T/KOs between them.

Oh, and it also happens to be the UFC's first event on "free" TV.

Any questions?