With Several Upcoming UFC Title Bouts, Which One Will Be The Best?

The only good thing about the many title bouts that have fallen apart in 2014 is that the remaining months of the year will be filled with some incredible match-ups; arguably more than the entire year had before (at least on paper).

Four prominent champions will return from injury by early December, and although the UFC would have probably preferred to have them fighting a bit more spread out and on a regular basis, they’ll be more to happy to have them back with their recent credit downgrade.

Starting with October 25’s UFC 179 from Rio de Janeiro, there are four championship tilts in three pay-per-view (PPV) cards. That’s an unprecedented spectacle that’s a rarity in today’s UFC era of so many bouts.

Each fight presents its own interesting dynamics and backstory, and each one could help rekindle the fire that many MMA fans feel may have been lacking from the sport this year. Let’s take a look at each title bout in an effort to decide which one will end up being the best:

Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes:

A rematch of Aldo’s UFC 142 knockout of Mendes, the longtime champ will return from a neck injury that forced him out of August’s scheduled UFC 176, ultimately canceling the event.

Mendes has since won five straight bouts with four knockouts to earn another title shot. There are questions about Aldo’s motivation to fight with the style that earned him the reputation as one of the world’s best, and even he’s admitted that he plays it safer in order to keep the belt.

Despite his comparative lack of aggression, however, he hasn’t really ever been in serious trouble inside the octagon. Mendes is no doubt a much-improved fighter since the first time he fought Aldo, a fight he may not have yet been ready for.

This bout could hinge on Aldo’s vaunted takedown defense, and he’ll need to show up one hundred percent healthy to have a chance of finishing Mendes. But in his own backyard, Aldo will be a sizeable favorite, making this probably the least anticipated of the four upcoming title bouts.

Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum:

The awaited return of Velasquez, who last fought at UFC 166 in October 2013, will come at the UFC’s first PPV to be held in Mexico. It will also mark the culmination of the inaugural The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Latin America.

Velasquez will be tasked with the world-class mat skills of Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Fabricio Werdum. “Vai Cavalo” also has dangerous Muay Thai thanks to coach Rafael Cordeiro, and he surprised many by outstriking the formerly surging Travis Browne to earn his title shot at Velasquez.

Like Aldo, Velasquez will have to come back fully healthy. He lost the only bout he’s ever lost, a UFC on FOX 1 knockout to Junior dos Santos, when he came in off a long layoff due to shoulder issues just like he will now. If he is back to full strength, Werdum will have his hands full.

Velasquez’ smothering top game will likely be too powerful for Werdum’s guard. Yes, “Vai Cavalo” submitted the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce, but he’s never faced a beast like Velasquez.

The champ may just be the best heavyweight the UFC has ever seen, and although injuries have slowed him in recent years, he’s as dominant as they come. Fighting in the place of his family’s heritage, this is going to be a huge fight.

Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez:

Out with a torn PCL since winning the belt at UFC 164 in August 2013, Pettis will finally put his belt on the line against Gilbert Melendez at December 6’s UFC 181.

“Showtime” and “El Nino” were opposing coaches on the all-female TUF 20. They don’t have a ton of bad blood between them, keeping it professional on the show so far.

But Pettis is eager to prove that he’s one of the best in the world, and former Strikeforce champ Melendez stands in his way after getting a big new contract after some negotiations to defect to Bellator. Pettis is going to come out aggressive and sharp, but like the rest of the champs on this list, he’ll have to shake off the ring rust and prove his knee is one hundred percent.

It’s not like Melendez has been fighting all that often either, as he last beat Diego Sanchez at UFC 166. A lot has changed in the talented UFC lightweight division since either of these fighters last fought, and the winner will have a heavy workload to shoulder as champion.

The concept of MMA math may not be all that valid, but Pettis beat Ben Henderson rather handily and Melendez couldn’t beat him (although some say he did). At the end of the day, Melendez had “Smooth” in the first two rounds and faded when it mattered most.

Henderson hasn’t been looking all that great as of late, so maybe that talk doesn’t matter. Most won’t be giving Melendez much of a chance, so this fight is more about seeing how effectively “Showtime” comes back.

Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler:

The final title bout on this list will go down in the main event of UFC 181. These two battled it out in a close match at March’s UFC 171, and Lawler earned another shot at “Bigg Rigg” by defeating Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown since that day.

Hendricks has been out with surgery for a torn biceps and was actually targeting a February or March 215 return, but stepped up for the UFC when Chris Weidman was forced out of his scheduled UFC 181 fight against Vitor Belfort.

Lawler looks to be on top of his game right now, and there are some question marks about Hendricks. He hasn’t been finishing opponents with the brutality that he once was. A lot of that is because he’s only fought the best, but Lawler looks to be extremely focused on winning the belt.

That makes this probably the closest match-up of all four bouts. Hendricks is a smothering wrestler and a powerful striker, but a lot of his success is going to hinge on his weight cut. He barely made weight at UFC 171 and now he’s coming off of surgery.

He has his work cut out for him to get in shape. “Bigg Rigg” does have the advantage of already owning a win over Lawler. However, “Ruthless” has improved exponentially, and this should be one heck of a fight.

Because of the history between these two, Hendricks vs. Lawler is my most anticipated title fight for the remainder of 2014? What is yours?

Photos: Stephen R. Sylvanie and Andrew Richardson for USA TODAY Sports