Block out your calendar for Dec. 19 right now.
You’re busy. No, you can’t go to that office Christmas party. Your family reunion can wait.
Junior dos Santos will fight Alistair Overeem at UFC on Fox 17, and that’s all that matters for that Saturday.
The UFC’s Thomas Gerbasi announced this high-profile heavyweight clash today via the company’s official website, and fans immediately began to buzz and stir. After so much time waiting for these two to square off inside the cage (including a previously canceled bout at UFC 160), it’s finally here.
Dos Santos strolls into the bout ranked No. 2 in the heavyweight division, while Overeem clocks in at No. 9. Despite this rankings discrepancy, dos Santos has won one of his past two bouts, while Overeem has emerged victorious in two straight.
To his credit, dos Santos has faced the tougher competition during his stretch, losing to former UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez and defeating Stipe Miocic. Overeem, meanwhile, has triumphed over Stefan Struve and Roy Nelson in succession.
If the thought of two top-tier heavyweight strikers throwing fists, elbows, shins and knees inside the UFC Octagon until somebody falls down doesn’t tickle your fancy, the UFC on Fox 17 card gets even better.
Above this co-main event between dos Santos and Overeem is a lightweight title fight between champion Rafael dos Anjos and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Dos Anjos already beat Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 27 in August 2013, but no lightweight has been as hot as Cowboy since that time.
The 32-year-old combatant has fought eight times since dropping that decision to dos Anjos, winning all eight, with five coming via stoppage.
This remarkable run earned him a shot at dos Anjos‘ crown. Tune in when the UFC touches down in Orlando this winter to see if he can snag it.
You don’t have anything better to do, anyway.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com