UFC
Alistair Overeem (39-14-0) finally faces off with Junior dos Santos (17-3-0) as the co-main event at of UFC on Fox 17. This fight is many years in the making as the two were originally supposed to fight at UFC 146 when JDS was champion and Overeem the challenger then failed drug test, injuries and a plethora off other things stopped the fight. Now, if they can both make it to December incident free, we will finally see the fight albeit as a there round match, if it goes that long.
Nik Lentz (20-4-0) moves back up to 155 and faces off with Danny Castillo (17-9-0) at UFC on Fox 17. Lentz has fought at 145 for the last few years collecting a record of 4-2, but now he is jumping back up to Lightweight. Is this a choice due to the imminent IV ban? Regardless of the reason, he may be fighting against a fighter trying to keep his job. Castillo has gone 104 in his last five, one more loss could spell the end of his UFC career.
Frankie Edgar (19-4-1) headlines the TUF 22 finale against Chad Mendes (17-3-0). He said yesterday he would be fighting before the end of the year but no fight had been announced. Many assumed it would be Max Holloway, but the UFC may have other plans for the Hawaiian. Edgar now fights against former number one contender Chad Mendes. Is this a way to stymie the former champion of a title shot? Well, you have to think they are making it hard for him to reach another chance at gold despite being the clear number two in the division.
Bartosz Fabinski (12-2-0) vs. Hector Urbina (17-8-1) and Valmir Lozaro (13-3-0) vs. Michael Prazeres (18-2-0) take place at UFC Fight Night 78. These figures are still building themselves up in their UFC careers. Praisers has gone 2-2 in the UFC with none of his wins or losses being a finish. His opponent has had better luck winning his last four straight.
Lastly, Stefan Struve (26-7-0) looks to make it two straight wins at UFC 193 against Jared Rosholt (13-2-0). Struve had a long time off due to health issues and when he returned he lost to Overeem. He righted his ship with a win over the veteran Big Nog. Now, he will ave to prove himself against a wrestler in Rosholt who has only lost one fight in the UFC so far.