The UFC will hold its third fight card on FOX television tonight from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford NJ. Jim Miller (21-3) faces Nate Diaz (15-7) in a lightweight title eliminator. UFC President Dana White has stated that if Diaz wins, he will be next in line for a title shot.
The action beings early for Arizona fight fans, as Facebook preliminary fights begin at 1 p.m. Pacific time. Canadian bantamweights Nick Denis (11-2) and Roland Delorme (7-1) battle on the Facebook card, along with middleweights Mike Massenzio (13-6) and Karlos Vemola (9-2). Fights can be accessed by clicking "Like" on the UFC's Facebook page.
At 2 p.m. Pacific time, the action shifts over to FUEL TV for three hours of preliminary action. The lighter weight classes will be on display, as the card on FUEL TV features two flyweight fights, two lightweight fights, a featherweight fight and a welterweight fight. Rising lightweight Tony Ferguson (13-2) battles Michael Johnson (10-6). TUF alumnus John Dodson (12-5) makes his flyweight debut against Tim Elliot (8-2-1).
The national television portion of the card begins at 5 p.m, and can be seen on FOX. Heavyweights Pat Barry (7-4) and Lavar Johnson (16-5) open the show.
A battle between submission specialist Rousimar Palhares (23-3) and veteran middleweight Alan Belcher (16-5) follows the Barry-Johnson bout.
The co-main event of the evening features a welterweight showdown with title implications. Former title challenger Josh Koscheck (19-5) faces rising contender Johny Hendricks (12-1). Hendricks has won three fights in a row including a first round knockout of Jon Fitch at UFC 141.
Full schedule and predictions below.
Main Card (FOX): 5 PM
Lightweight: Jim Miller (21-3) vs. Nate Diaz (15-7)
SB Nation Predicts: Diaz by unanimous decision
Welterweight: Josh Koscheck (19-5) vs. Johny Hendricks (12-1)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Hendricks by knockout
Middleweight: Alan Belcher (16-5) vs. Rousimar Palhares (23-3)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Belcher by knockout
Heavyweight: Pat Barry (7-4) vs. Lavar Johnson (16-5)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Johnson by knockout
Preliminary Card (FUEL TV): 2 PM
Lightweight: Tony Ferguson (14-2) vs. Michael Johnson (11-6)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Ferguson by unanimous decision
Flyweight: John Dodson (13-5) vs. Tim Elliott (8-2-1)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Dodson by knockout
Welterweight: John Hathaway (15-1) vs. Pascal Krauss (10-0)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Hathaway by unanimous decision
Flyweight: Louis Gaudinot (5-2) vs. John Lineker (19-5)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Gaudinot by submission
Lightweight: Danny Castillo (13-4) vs. John Cholish (8-1)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Castillo by submission
Featherweight: Dennis Bermudez (8-3) vs. Pablo Garza (12-2)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Bermudez by unanimous decision
Preliminary Card (Facebook): 1 PM
Bantamweight: Roland Delorme (7-1) vs. Nick Denis (11-2)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Delorme by knockout
Middleweight: Mike Massenzio (13-6) vs. Karlos Vemola (9-2)
SB Nation Arizona Predicts: Vemola by unanimous decision
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