5 Finger Knuckle SaMMAch: 5 June Fights That Are On The Radar

This is part 1 of my new monthly feature which will high light the 5 biggest fights that will affect rankings, title shots etc in the upcoming month.  The 2nd part (everyone has 2 hands right? so 2 Knuckle saMMAch's) is fights that are under the radar that are worth checking out. I won't feature any UFC bouts or main card Strikeforce bouts in that feature.

1. Junior Dos Santos vs Shane Carwin at UFC 131 June 11th
Carwin being a replacement for Brock Lesnar does not effect this bout as far as ranking and title implications are concerned.  The winner here will still get a title shot and most likely a place in my top 3 ranked Heavyweights.

2. Alistair Overeem vs Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce June 18th
The main event of Strikeforce's next event.  The Winner will look to face Antonio Silva in the next round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight tournament.  Who ever comes out on top of this one will definitely make a case to be ranked #2 in my Heavyweight rankings.

3. Anthony Pettis vs Clay Guida at The Ulimate Fighter 13 Finale June 4th
Pettis, after winning the WEC lightweight title was thought to be the #1 contender and fight the winner of Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.  With that fight going to a draw and both Edgar and Maynard out with injuries that title shot is up in limbo but a win over Guida could very well cement that future title bout for Pettis.  A win for Guida will surely find him in my top 10 Lightweights.

4. Kenny Florian vs Diego Nunes at UFC 131 June 11th
Florian is making his Featherweight debut but a win over Nunes could give him a title shot against Jose Aldo.  Nunes already a top 10 ranked Featherweight would surely make his case for his own title shot with a win over Florian.

5. Josh Barnett vs Brett Rogers at Strikeforce June 18th
Both have been a top 10 ranked Heavyweight in recent history and the winner here could very well back in the rankings and will face Sergei Kharitinov in the 2nd round of the Stirkeforce Heavyweight Tournament.

Honorable Mention:
Anthony Johnson vs Nate Marquardt Tweet