UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos—The Heavyweight Landscape in 2012

The mixed martial arts world is getting set for the monumental debut of the UFC on Fox this weekend, which will mark the UFC's debut on free mainstream television. The event is headlined by the two best big men in the game in heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez defending his title against the undisputed No. 1 contender Junior Dos Santos.

The battle this Saturday night will certainly crown an undisputed king of big men in the UFC, but things are heating up in the notoriously thin division heading into 2012.

With the recent purchase of the Strikeforce organization—the home of many top MMA heavyweights— and the recent signing of Alistair Overeem, the heavyweight landscape is shaping up to be very intriguing in 2012.

Overeem confirmed on The MMA Hour  today that, as expected, the winner of his December 30 fight with Brock Lesnar will indeed be next in line for a shot at the title. While many media members and fans believe that these four men are ahead of the rest in the heavyweight division, there are other top fighters should currently be considered in the title mix in 2012.

Here is a look at all the relevant fighters and what could play out for each of them in 2012.

Cain Velasquez 

The champ is defending his title for the first time on Saturday on the epic show on Fox after a 14-month layoff from the octagon. This does not bode well for Velasquez, and I see ring rust being a bit of a factor. Dos Santos may be a fighter of fortunate timing, but if Velasquez loses he will not fall far down the ladder and we will see him fight for the title again before the end of 2012.

Junior Dos Santos

Dos Santos is the undisputed No. 1 contender for the title based on his impressive string in 2011. He gets his shot on Saturday night against a rusty champion. Dos Santos will utilize his incredible boxing to get the win and will head into 2012 as the new champion. His first defence will come against Overeem.

Alistair Overeem

Overeem has been tagged as the best big man outside of the UFC for a couple years now, and he is set to make his debut on December 30 against a newly recovered but also dormant Lesnar. Look for Overeem to defeat a rusty Lesnar with his striking and head into 2012 as the No. 1 contender.

Brock Lesnar

We are all aware of the behemoth's recent health issues, and I am reluctant to predict anything when it comes to the health of the polarizing figure. I think Lesnar will be a bit rusty and unsure in his fight with Overeem, and look for 2012 to be another inactive mystery for one of the largest draws in the UFC.

Josh Barnett

Josh Barnett is the best heavyweight under the Strikeforce banner and has fought to earn a place in the Grand Prix finals set for sometime in early 2012. Barnett took out Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov on his way to the finals and will face fellow top-10 heavyweight Daniel Cormier. Barnett will win the GP Final and set himself up for a return to the UFC, where he will be dropped right in the mix with the men above.

Daniel Cormier

Cormier is the real new kid on the Strikeforce block in the division, but he is undefeated in MMA at 9-0 and has surprised many with his climb to the Grand Prix finals. He was brought into the tournament as a replacement, and he defeated Antonio Silva to get his shot at Barnett. Look for Cormier to lose to Barnett and then sign with the UFC, where he will use 2012 to fight a couple established UFC heavyweights and stamp his place.

Frank Mir

Frank Mir is hanging on to his relevancy in the top 10 of the UFC heavyweights, and he is set to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogeuira on December 10 in Toronto. Many people think Mir's time in the top five has passed, but if he wins his fight in December he remains right in the mix with the fighters above. The common belief is Mir wants another shot at the title and another shot at Lesnar. Look for Mir-Lesnar III in 2012.

Don't rule out or forget: Antonio Silva, Cheick Kongo, Shane Carwin

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.