Nate Diaz and Jim Miller have been staples of a fully loaded 155-lb. lightweight division for a while now, but never before have either been in a position to actually contend for the UFC lightweight title or face each other in the heat of battle.
This Saturday night, both men get to do just that in East Rutherford, New Jersey’s IZOD Center for UFC on Fox 3. While there’s still a question of what a win might mean for Diaz, fans will tune in to this fight with the knowledge of what this fight means for Miller before it ever starts.
With the way in which both men scrap in their fights, one can guarantee that those in attendance will not leave the IZOD Center in disappointment when all is said and done.
Also, Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck take co-headlining status in a bout with similar implications, as a win could do big things for Hendricks.
Finally, Rousimar Palhares and Lavar Johnson have established themselves as names to focus on in their respective divisions, and on this night, they will hope that a win will put them one step closer towards being “in the mix” in their divisions.
However, for the heel-hooking machine Palhares, a step towards the UFC Middleweight title means contending with the always-ruthless striking and underrated ground competence of Alan Belcher, who insists that he will combat the task of Palhares’ Jiu-Jitsu head-on.
As for Johnson, he is a bit further away from talking about either Frank Mir or Junior Dos Santos than Palhares is from talking about Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann or Hector Lombard. Johnson could find himself much further away from that holy grail if he falls to Pat Barry, but Barry is as easy a task to overcome for Johnson’s fistic firepower as Johnson is to overcome for Barry’s powerful technical striking.
Who will prevail when the smoke clears?
You will find out tonight, as Bleacher Report MMA welcomes you to UFC on Fox 3: Diaz vs. Miller!
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