UFC on FOX: Henderson vs Diaz – Main card preview

What’s the best way to follow an event featuring a thrilling five round UFC Welterweight Championship fight? How about an event on free television featuring a UFC Lightweight Championship battle between reigning 155 kingpin Benson Henderson and current top contender Nate Diaz? “”Smooth” is riding a 5 fight win streak, including a title defense against former champion Frankie Edgar. Diaz, meanwhile, is in the midst of a 3 fight winning streak after becoming the first fighter to finish Jim Miller (via guillotine choke). Benson Henderson has proven to have some very strong submission defense, while Diaz possesses some dangerous submission skills. This fight will also showcase two of the best scramblers on the mat in all of the UFC. This is a fight that has the potential to be a war no matter where it ends up, as both fighters consistently work for finishes. Will Diaz bring the gold home to Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or will Henderson make Diaz his 2nd title defense?

Not enough for you with that firecracker of a main event? Let’s add in a potential contender’s bout at Light Heavyweight between perennial UFC fan favorite Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and one of the fastest rising prospects in the game in “The Mauler” Alexander Gustaffson. In his entire professional career, Gustaffson has only seen defeat one time, when he was submitted by Phil Davis. Gustaffson has since bounced back, winning his last 5 fights, including a unanimous decision over Thiago Silva. Gustasffson also finished 4 of those 5 by TKO or Submission. Rua, meanwhile, has been alternating wins and losses in his last 6 appearances, his most recent being an exciting TKO victory over Brandon Vera after his Fight Of The Year candidate loss against Dan Henderson. Will Gustaffson continue his meteoric rise up the 205 rankings? Or will “Shogun” shut down the Swede’s hype wagon?

Fans will witness the return of the only man to hold both the UFC Lightweight and Welterweight crowns in BJ Penn as he takes on another blue-chip up-and-comer in Rory MacDonald. BJ Penn is returning after being soundly outstruck by Nick Diaz, going to a draw with Jon Fitch, and knocking out and retiring Matt Hughes. So its been a bizarre time for BJ, who looks to return to the octagon in victorious fashion as he takes on the once-defeated Rory MacDonald. MacDonald is riding a 3 fight win streak, most recently putting down Che Mills by TKO. MacDonald has been begging for a notch up in competition, soundly outclassing Mills and Mike Pyle, and overpowering current Lightweight Championship contender Nate Diaz, and there is nobody more suitable for the job of testing blue chippers then Penn. Is this the second coming of BJ Penn?  Or will MacDonald continue his run to the top of the Welterweight class?

Mike Swick returned to the UFC in August with an exclamation point, when he laid out DaMarques Johnson en route to a knockout victory in his first UFC fight in over 2 years. The returning Swick now faces the surging “Immortal” Matt Brown, who is currently riding a 3 fight win streak (2 of which were by TKO).  Swick, victorious in 5 of his last 7 bouts, looks to begin climbing the UFC ranks all over again, and it begins with Brown, who looks to continue his own rise.  Both men tend to favor the stand-up game, meaning UFC on FOX: Henderson vs Diaz could be opening with some fireworks.