Not very often a title fight featuring one of the brightest stars in MMA gets bump out of the top spot (it's Jon Jones if you're wondering) but this Heavyweight matchup has all the workings of a very anticipated and intriguing matchup. As mentioned Jones is one of rising stars of MMA but Lesnar is still one of the biggest PPV draws for the UFC and should continue to be when he makes his return against Overeem.
Jones is already a lock as 2011's Fighter Of The Year but a win over Machida would just him that much more ahead of the pack. In his way though is former champion Lyoto Machida who still boasts one of the most difficult styles to gameplan for and could very well be Jones' toughest test to date. A win for Jones would also make him the first Light Heavyweight title hold to defend the belt twice since Chuck Liddell did in 2006.
The coaches fight is always an anticipated bout and having it on free TV makes it all the more better. The animosity between the 2 coaches escalated as the season went on and tempers should be all their highest on fight night. The winner of this fight should see them selves in the title picture going into 2012.
Strikeforce's future is still somewhat uncertain but those issues will be on the back burner for Gilbert Melendez and Jorge Masivdal as they fight for Melendez's Lightweight title. Melendez is already considered one of the best Lightweights in the world and has hopes to eventually enter the UFC ranks in the near future but Masvidal stands in his way as a credible opponent.
A rematch from their 2008 bout where Mir KO'ed Nogueira in 2008 at UFC 92 which was the coach fight from season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter. Nogueira recently defeated Brendan Schaub and is looking to set the record straight against Mir. The rematch was originally set to take place at UFC 119 but an injury to Nogueira forced him out and replaced by Mirko Cro Cop who Mir beat by TKO. The winner of this bout should see them selves involved in some big matchups in 2012.
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