UFC on FOX 2: 10 Reasons Why It Will Be the Best Event of 2012

Leading up to the new year, there's one UFC event that soars above all others.

UFC on FOX 2.

Now while UFC 144 in Japan seems ready to capitalize the MMA world on numerous international levels, the next installment of Dana White's seven-year deal with FOX still proves more worthy than the rest.

Not only will the event feature three main fights compared to the sole heavyweight championship bout between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX 1, which lasted only minutes, but the nationally broadcast card will showcase two No. 1 contender bouts.

One being Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis in the light heavyweight division, and the other being Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz in the middleweight division.

The Octagon ability by all four fighters makes this event unique, but it's the future championship implications that make it special.  The winner of each fight will ultimately get the chance to take on one of the most dominate pound-for-pound fighters in the world, in their respective divisions.  Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

With that said, on top of this explosive card coming at no charge for well-deserving fans, here are 10 reasons why UFC on FOX 2 will be the best event of 2012.

10. Cody Mckenzie's Guillotine Choke

If you haven't seen Cody McKenzie's perfected guillotine choke then you're missing out.

McKenzie has won 11 of his 12 fights by the way of submission, culminating into a 12-2 overall professional record.

The Alaskan native is due to meet fellow Ultimate Fighter standout Michael Johnson in an interesting undercard prospect bout.

Five of Johnson's six career loses have been by submission, meaning McKenzie is lined up to showcase his unique choke on a national stage.

Check your neck, Mike.

9. Cub Swanson vs. George Roop

With job security implications on the line, Cub Swanson vs. George Roop stands to be one of the most anticipated featherweight fights in the early portion of 2012.

Both fighters have recently made their UFC debuts after being brought over in the WEC merger.

Swanson has a slightly better track record against tougher competition, but Roop is no slouch.

Look for this fight to stay on the feet and feature some of the most well-rounded striking on the entire FOX card.

8. Demian Maia's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Bottom line, Demian Maia has some nasty Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In a middleweight division full of talented wrestlers and knockout strikers, Maia's technical advantages have kept his championship hopes afloat.

Despite not finishing a fight via submission since 2009 on Chael Sonnen, the Brazilian native should never be taken lightly in the grappling and transition game.

He has been one of the best and will continue to prove his worth at 185 lbs., especially considering he's matched up against a strict striker in Michael Bisping.

7. Michael Bisping's Stake in the Middleweight Division

Speak of the devil.

Michael Bisping is currently coming off a very impressive victory over Jason "Mayhem" Miller at TUF 14 Finale, showcasing solid striking and better conditioning than his gassed opponent (shaking my head).

However, this upcoming fight will be the first time in his UFC career that Bisping is actually facing a versatile practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu, which is something that the Brit has been criticized for in the past.

It has yet to be determined how Bisping will handle Demian Maia's grappling and submission attempts, which will once again provide pivotal evidence as to where "The Count" truly belongs in the middleweight division.

This is going to be a traditional clash between striker and submission expert.

6. Post-Fight Interviews

Could this card be any more stacked with well-versed trash talkers?

Honestly, no.

Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping and Rashad Evans are three of the top 10 most outgoing and outspoken fighters in the UFC.  To have them all on the same card means somebody is going to flap their gums.

Win or lose, in the cage or back stage, these fighters are going to offer some entertaining quotes.

Just imagine if all three of them win.  Would they ever shut up?

5. Evans/Davis Wrestling Expo

Rashad Evans and Phil Davis boast some of the best wrestling skills in the UFC, let alone the light heavyweight division.

Evans, a Junior College National Champion, has recently shied away from his powerful wrestling in favor of striking, but he's more than capable of turning back the clock and landing numerous double-leg takedowns.

Davis, a NCAA Division I National Champion for Penn State in 2008, is currently one of the most decorated wrestlers in MMA.  On top of his national championship, Davis was a four-time All-American, two-time Big Ten champ and has been diligently working on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

When these two wrestlers collide, it could produce one of two things.

Either a stalemate resulting in an all out striking battle, or a takedown-for-takedown wrestling clinic that would attract even the least interested UFC fan.

Lets hope for both, if that's possible.

4. Mark Munoz's Power

Mark Munoz seemingly has unmatchable power in the middleweight division.

I'm talking about the kind of power that can cut the lights off of Chris Leben's iron chin.  The kind of power that can end a fight at the drop of a dime, or the swing of a fist.

Munoz may have trouble securing a comfortable range against a power wrestler like Chael Sonnen, but his opponent has never really faced a 185 lb. fighter like "The Filipino Wrecking Machine".

Serious power tends to lead to serious knockouts, so you don't want to blink during this one.

3. Phil Davis' Long-Awaited Return

It's been far too long since UFC light heavyweight contender Phil Davis graced the Octagon.

Think eight months. 

Since injuring his knee before his first scheduled bout with Rashad Evans at UFC 133, later replaced by Tito Ortiz on short notice, fight fans have been awaiting the return of "Mr. Wonderful" and his pink trunks.

Davis is currently undefeated in the UFC, compiling a 5-0 record (9-0 overall) with keys victories over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Tim Boetsch and his most recent takedown clinic against Rogerio Nogueira.

Entering this fight against Evans at UFC on FOX 2, we're finally going to be able to judge the long-term potential of Davis.

Will he be able to strike with the best light heavyweights in the division?

Can his wrestling hold up against more dynamic fighters?

And if he beats Evans, does he have the MMA makeup to dismantle Jon Jones from his pound-for-pound throne?

All of these questions are going to be answered in due time.  But the most important uncertainty that will be settled this January is whether or not Davis has what it takes to beat a grizzled contender in Evans.

2. Chael Sonnen's Redemption

Chael Sonnen is a man on a mission.

His fifth-round submission loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117 serves as his fire. 

It's what makes him verbally bash one of the greatest fighters in MMA history on a weekly basis, and it's the catalyst that has created one of the biggest rivalries in the UFC since Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.

Sonnen, along with nearly everyone who watched his late round collapse, knows that he truly won the fight.  Does 10 seconds of tapping really outweigh 20 minutes of brutal ground and pound?

Hardly.  And for Mark Munoz, a man who many people consider a legitimate contender in the division, the vengeful neediness of Sonnen could ultimately mean war.

Because in a time when many fighters talk trash to gain a rise out of fans and reporters alike, Sonnen does it to express his true transgressions.

For nearly a year-and-a-half, the 34-year-old's lone goal has met one destiny.  Stepping into the Octagon to revive the biggest loss of his life.

And if the hands of Munoz decide to find Sonnen's chin at UFC on FOX 2, that fate may never reign true.

1. Another Mainstream Leap

This time around the UFC has a legitimate chance to play their cards right.  Literally.

UFC on FOX 1 was no doubt a stepping stone for the sport of MMA in American sports.  But besides the initial glitz and glamor of the UFC nationally broadcasting a heavyweight title fight between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, the lasting effect has seemingly faded.

The biggest mistake during this monumental debut on FOX came at the hands of the UFC's willingness to abide by the networks request to curtain the co-main event.  Clay Guida and Benson Henderson's No. 1 contender fight never made it on TV.

The inability to showcase one of the best fights of 2011 ultimately provided the UFC, and FOX, with a lingering sour taste in their mouths.  To think that the "censorship" surfaced due to Guida's reputation to bleed makes hardcore fans sick to their stomaches.

However, beyond the negatives of an overall progressive event, the UFC now has a chance to right the ship.

UFC on FOX 2 is actually the first true event that's part of the UFC's seven-year deal with FOX, which is set to start in 2012.  This time, both sides are more than willing to let the gloves fly.

Two No. 1 contender bouts featuring four of some of the UFC's most promising fighters, not to mention a showdown between Michael Bisping and Demian Maia.

If my words have failed to inject any reason or change of thought into your UFC standards, let the event speak for itself. 

Follow @DHiergesell