Power Ranking the Remaining UFC Events of 2011

UFC 136 was one of the best fight cards in UFC history, and it seems unreal that the UFC could even come close to topping it anytime soon.

But, since Dana White and company never seem to disappoint, there are seven more fight cards left this year and a few of them have potential to join UFC 136 as instant classics.

Guys like Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones and George St-Pierre are all returning to action in the next three months, making the potential for amazing fight cards a very real thing.

The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale

It seems weird that no fights have been added to this card other than the main event between Michael Bisping and Mayhem Miller, but it’s probably because the card will be filled with the fighters that are competing on the show right now.

The UFC has never had the 145 and 135lb weight classes on TUF before, so it makes sense to let as many of the fighters possible get a shot to join the company. It’s almost like the first season of TUF, where it seemed like half the cast got jobs after it was over. 

UFC 138

The numbered UFC cards that are on free TV are never as stacked as PPV events, but this one just seems weak.

The main event with Chris Leben and Mark Munoz will be the first five-round non-title fight in UFC history, but other than that, the card lacks a lot of star power.

The co-main event fight, Brad Picket vs. Renan Barao, has potential to be great, and well known fighters like Thiago Alves and John Hathaway are on the card, but it seems like a lackluster end to numbered events on Spike TV.

UFC on FOX

There is only one fight on the main card, but it’s good enough to get every fan of the sport excited.

The heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos was the perfect fight for the UFC to start their new relationship with FOX, as these are obviously the two best heavyweight fighters alive and the fight should produce fireworks.

Now fans just have to cross their fingers and hope that the lightweight showdown with Clay Guida and Ben Henderson makes the broadcast somehow.

UFC 141

The main event is one of the most talked about in UFC history, and the rest of the card has some good fights, but this is probably the worst PPV card left this year.

Brock Lesnar always gets huge PPV numbers, and when you throw him in there with a fighter as popular as Alistair Overeem, it’s going to sell regardless of what else is on the card.

Maybe that’s why the UFC hasn’t put another marquee matchup on the card, (although there is still room for a decent co-main event), but until they add another top fight this card just doesn’t stack up with the rest. 

UFC 140

It seems crazy that this is only the third best card left this year, especially when you look and see all the big names thrown across the main card.

Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida is good enough to make fans open up their wallets by itself, but then you see guys like Frank Mir, Tito Ortiz and the Nogueria brothers also on the card ,and the average fan starts salivating.

Throw in some under the radar battles like Rory MacDonald vs. Brian Ebersole and Mark Hominick vs. Chan Sung Jung and this card has instant classic potential.

UFC 139

If there is a title fight on this card, it earns fight card of the year status.

Even with no UFC gold on the line, it’s one of the best fight cards in recent memory and the main event between Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua is a fight fans have been wanting to see since they both fought in PRIDE.

The rest of the card is stacked as well, featuring a striking war between Wanderlei Silva and Cung Le, a bantamweight No. 1 contenders fight with Urijah Faber and Brian Bowles, and potential fight of night winners, Martin Kampmann vs. Rick Story and Stephan Bonner vs. Kyle Kingsbury.

UFC 137

The best card remaining in 2011 is the next card on the schedule.

GSP vs. Carlos Condit is an awesome fight, but it has almost taken a back seat to the potential fight of the decade between BJ Penn and Nick Diaz.

Penn and Diaz both go for broke every time they step foot in the cage, and with oddly similar styles that showcase their boxing and ju jitsu, this is a fight that will be exciting no matter where it goes.

The rest of the cards features two heavyweight fights that have potential to end at any second, Matt Mitrione vs. Cheick Kongo and Roy Nelson vs. Mirko Cro Cop.

Also, one of the highest ranked featherweights in the world, Hatsu Hioki, makes his UFC debut vs. George Roop.