UFC 137 B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz: Ranking Every Fight on the Card

UFC 137 is only a few days away, and although the card's lineup has changed dramatically since it was originally announced, a good night of fights is ahead for MMA fans, and it's one you don't want to miss.

In the main event, former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion B.J. Penn will take on former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz.

Diaz is riding a 10-fight win streak while Penn has had a tough stretch of fights, going 1-2-1 in his past four. Penn's last fight was a draw versus No. 2 welterweight Jon Fitch.

In the co-main event, heavyweights Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione will battle for a spot at title contention.

Other main card bouts include Mirko "Cro Cop" Flipovic vs. Roy Nelson, Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop and Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran.

No. 11: Dustin Jacoby vs. Clifford Starks

Middleweight Dustin Jacoby will put his 6-0 record on the line against Clifford Starks in the card's opening bout. Starks also comes into the fight with an undefeated record at 7-0.

Both will be making their UFC debuts, so first impressions will be important. Jacoby comes into the fight with all of his fights ending by TKO or submission while Starks has finished four of his seven opponents.

If one of these guys can get the finish, they will throw themselves into the short list of up-and-coming middleweight fighters.

No. 10: Brandon Vera vs. Eliot Marshall

One fighter's career might be on the line in this battle of light heavyweights.

Brandon Vera returns to the UFC, after his loss against Thiago Silva was overturned earlier this year, to take on Eliot Marshall.

Marshall was last seen getting stopped by Luiz Cane in the first round of their bout in March. A three fight win streak preceded.

Together, neither guy has won a UFC fight in their last five combined.

Depending on how each fighter approaches this fight, it could turn out to be exciting—with one looking to make an impression, or with both just trying to get the win. Let's hope they go for the first.

No. 9: Chris Camozzi vs. Francis Carmont

Middleweight Chris Camozzi has re-signed with the UFC, and he will be taking on UFC newcomer Francis Carmont on the Facebook preliminary card.

Camozzi returns after a split-decision victory over Joey Villasenor, while Carmont is coming off a knockout victory over former UFC fighter Jason Day.

Carmont has a 16-7 record with six knockouts and eight submissions on his record. Camozzi is actually 2-1 in the UFC, but was cut after losing to Kyle Noke at UFC 127. He gets a second chance in this fight, and he will look to make the most of it.

No. 8: Ramsey Nijem vs. Danny Downes

Lightweights Damsey Nijem and Danny Downes will look to pick up their first UFC victories when they fight on the preliminary card of UFC 137.

Nijem is moving to the lightweight division after losing to Tony Ferguson in the finals of the Ultimate Fighter 13.

Despite Downes' loss to Jeremy Stephens in his last fight, he showed a lot of heart in taking three rounds of punishment from the powerful puncher to go the distance and lose a unanimous decision. He does hold a victory over Zhang Tiequan from WEC 53.

This could end up being the best fight on the preliminary card so remember to watch it on Facebook.

No. 7: Tyson Griffin vs. Bart Palaszewski

Former lightweight Tyson Griffin will make his second appearance as a UFC featherweight when he welcomes WEC veteran Bart Palaszewski to the Octagon in the first fight on the Spike TV portion of UFC 137.

Griffin recently broke a three fight losing streak when he defeated Manvel Gamburyan by majority decision in June.

Palaszewski hasn't fought since losing a split-decision to Kamal Shalorus at WEC 53 last December.

Neither of these guys are easy to finish, and with 19 losses between them, 14 have been from decision. This will most likely be another close and competitive one.

No. 6: Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran

After Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit was removed from the pay-per-view card, a bantamweight bout between Scott Jorgensen and Jeff Curran was moved up.

Curran returns to the UFC for the first time since 2004 when he fought Matt Serra at UFC 46. He has extended his record to 33-13-1 overall and has submitted 19 of his opponents.

Jorgensen is coming off his first round knockout over Ken Stone, which was in his UFC debut at the TUF 13 finale. That was his first victory back from losing to current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

No. 5: Mirko Filipović vs. Roy Nelson

In a bout where both fighters need a victory after respective two-fight losing streaks, Mirko "Cro Cop" takes on Roy Nelson.

Nelson was defeated by Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir, but showed a tremendous heart and chin in surviving three-round barrages from both opponents to lose dominant decisions.

Cro Cop has been knocked out his last two fights versus Brendan Schaub and Frank Mir.

Many are calling this Cro Cop's last stand, and it's not hard to see why. People have been calling for his retirement for a while now, and this could very well be the final time fans get to see the Croatian legend fight, win or lose.

No. 4: Hatsu Hioki vs. George Roop

This featherweight fight might be a showcase bout for Hatsu Hioki, but George Roop is nobody to sleep on. He recently upset Josh Grispi to get a TKO victory in the third round of their bout.

Hioki brings an extensive 24-4 record into his Octagon debut, and this includes victories over Marlon Sandro, Ronnie Mann, Jeff Curran and two wins over former title challenger Mark Hominick.

Aside from holding a victory over Grispi, Roop also has a highlight reel headkick KO over the Korean Zombie, Chan Sung Jung.

Many consider Hioki to be a top five featherweight, and this fight will give him the chance to show everyone why.

No. 3: Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone

In a preliminary fight that should be one of the card's best fights, kickboxer Dennis Siver takes on former WEC title challenger Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in the lightweight division. The fight will be shown on Spike TV.

Cerrone is coming off the first TKO victory of his career despite always being proficient when it comes to everything in the stand-up department, including kicks, knees and punches. That win was over top prospect Charles Oliveira.

Siver is no stranger to intense striking battles, and he has picked up eight victories in his last nine fights. His UFC victories include wins over Matt Wiman, George Sotiropoulos, Andre Winner and Spencer Fisher.

Both have picked up a combined six post-fight bonuses for their performances inside the Octagon.

No. 2: Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione

Cheick Kongo will make his first appearance in the cage since having the comeback of his life in a fight with Pat Barry to take on former Ultimate Fighter Heavyweight Matt Mitrione in the co-main event.

At 5-0, Mitrione is vastly inexperienced in comparison to Kongo, but has shown great potential throughout his UFC career. Each of his five victories have come in the UFC.

Both fighters hope that a victory will put them into title contention. Kongo has been in the UFC for over five years but has fallen just short several times. At 33, Mitrione might not have the time to develop the skills needed to beat the best of the best, but he is always in fun fights, and that's worth something.

No. 1: B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz

In a battle of two of the most fearless fighters, former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn takes on former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz.

After being pulled out of his title fight versus Georges St-Pierre, Diaz got a fight with Penn, setting up a very evenly-matched fight that should be very interesting to watch.

Penn and Diaz are two of the sport's most well-rounded fighters. Both are excellent at taking advantage of opportunities and both have amazing finishing ability.

Each fighter will face danger from the other, and that's what makes this fight intriguing.

A title shot may be on the line for the winner.