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This coming weekend will see a big clash in the UFC as lightweight champion Ben Henderson faces Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez. The preliminary card, which is airing on FX, features six fights and twelve fighters looking to make an impact. The preliminary card will feature a former challenger for the UFC Featherweight Title and a former challenger for the UFC Flyweight Title.
Kicking off the action is a bantamweight division fight as TJ Dillashaw (7-1-0) competes against Hugo “Wolverine†Viana (7-0-0). Dillashaw will enter the fight riding a three fight winning streak, last defeating Issei Tamura at UFC 158. Viana is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated both John Teixeira Da Conceicao and Reuben Duran. The winner of this fight could be pretty close to a bantamweight title bout and it will be Viana remaining undefeated in the end.
Lightweights will be stepping into the octagon next as Jorge “Gamebred†Masvidal (23-7-0) does battle against Tim “The Dirty Bird†Means (18-3-1). Masvidal is coming off of a great run in Strikeforce, where he won three of four fights in the promotion. Means will enter the fight riding a ten fight winning streak, but he has not competed in a fight in almost a full year. The long layoff is going to hurt Means in this one as Masvidal makes a successful debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
A pair of flyweights will be in action next as Joseph Benavidez (17-3-0) is in action against Darren “BC†Uyenoyama (8-3-0). Benavidez has won four of five in UFC competition, including a run to the tournament finals of the UFC Flyweight Title Tournament. Uyenoyama is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated both Norifumi Yamamoto and Phil Harris. Benavidez could get a title shot with a victory on Saturday Night and it is a victory that he will be getting.
We move to the lightweight division for the next fight as Myles “Fury†Jury (11-0-0) battles Ramsey Nijem (7-2-0). Jury is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having earned victories over the duo of Chris Saunders and Michael Johnson. Nijem will enter the fight riding a three fight winning streak, most notably defeating Joe Proctor at UFC On Fox V. Jury has been looking unstoppable during his run in the UFC and he will remain undefeated on Saturday Night.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as “Limitless†Francis Carmont (20-7-0) takes on Lorenz “The Monsoon†Larkin (13-0-0-1NC). Carmont is currently undefeated in UFC competition, most notably defeating Tom Lawlor by decision at UFC 154. Larkin is coming off of the biggest victory of his professional MMA career, as he defeated Robbie Lawler at Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. This fight could prove to be the show stealer of the entire card, but it will be Carmont ending Larkin’s undefeated streak.
Headlining this portion of the card is a featherweight division fight as Darren Elkins (16-2-0) faces Chad “Money†Mendes (13-1-0). Elkins will enter the fight riding a five fight winning streak, most notably defeating Diego Brandao at UFC 146. Mendes will enter the fight riding a two fight winning streak, with both of those two victories coming in the opening round. The winner of this fight could get a crack at the UFC Featherweight Title and it will be Mendes getting that opportunity.
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