UFC 137 Fight Card: 6 Reasons to Be Excited for This Event

UFC 137 will be live tonight from Las Veges, Nevada. 

After a few changes were made to the main event, B.J. Penn will face Nick Diaz in a welterweight bout that could determine the next No. 1 contender for Georges St-Pierre's title. 

Also featured on the card are heavyweights Mirko Cro Cop taking on Roy "Big Country" Nelson and Matt Mitrione against Check Kongo. 

Although a championship fight ended up being dropped from the card, it should still be an exciting night of fights. 

Here are the reasons why you should be watching tonight's action!

Donald Cerrone Can Continue to Make Noise in the Lightweight Division

Former WEC title contender Donald Cerrone has looked good so far in the UFC. 

Cerrone is 3-0 thus far and is currently riding a five-fight win streak. 

Not only has Cerrone been winning, he's been putting on exciting fights. 

If Cerrone can get past Dennis Siver tonight, his name should be thrown into the mix of lightweight title contenders. 

Tonight Will Be the UFC Debut for Hatsu Hioki

Hatsu Hioki has been one of the best featherweights in the world for some time now. 

Hioki is a former Shooto lightweight and Sengoko featherweight champ who has also competed in Pride FC. 

Although he's spent most of his time fighting in Japan, he holds two victories over featherweight title contender Mark Hominick. 

If Hioki wins his UFC debut tonight, he could very well be thrown into the mix of challengers for Jose Aldo's featherweight title. 

Tonight Could Be the Last Fight for Mirko Cro Cop

Mirko Cro Cop is a legend in MMA. For years, he was one of Pride FC's most exciting and dominate fighters.

Like every good fighter, though, there comes a time when you have to consider hanging up the gloves.

Cro Cop has lost two straight fights by KO.

Overall, his UFC stints have done nothing but show his slow decline.

Although many fans will be rooting for him, no matter what the outcome is, it may be time for Cro Cop to close the door on what has been a memorable career.  

Roy Nelson and His Epic Beard Could Also Be Fighting for Their Job

Roy Nelson's has been one of the top heavyweight fighters in the UFC since he won The Ultimate Fighter back in 2009. 

Although he's gotten past Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve, he has lost two straight to title contenders Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir. 

Nelson has all the personality in the world to go along with is talent. But the 35-year-old could find himself out of the UFC if he does not pick up a win against Cro Cop. 

No matter the outcome, Nelson will be looking to put on an exciting fight that could turn into a stand up war. 

Matt Mitrione Could Continue His UFC Rise

Although he did not win his season of TUF, Matt Mitrione has had the best UFC record of any of the fighters on the show. 

Mitrione has gone 5-0 so far and has looked better and better in every fight. 

He will have the biggest test of his career tonight when he takes on Cheick Kongo. 

If Mitrione can get past Kongo, then he will be well on his way to making a title run. 

B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz

B.J. Penn and Nick Diaz are two of the UFC's most exciting fighters today. Both men are former champions who are great technical boxers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts. 

Although there has been some opponent changes and controversy leading up to this bout, fans should be excited. 

Neither man likes to put on a boring fight. The match could also have title implications for the winner. 

Be sure to keep it on Bleacher Report for all things UFC 137. B/R is your home for MMA, from pre-fight predictions to in-fight coverage and post-fight analysis...which you can check out at our event hub.