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[stevequalude]

by Bryan Levick Bryan LevickCorrespondent






Over the past few weeks much has been written about the upcoming Randy Couture-Mark Coleman bout, who should Paul Daley fight next and the return of the highly popular three week series UFC Primetime .

Anoher subject that has been given a lot of attention is who should BJ Penn face next? Frankie Edgar or Grey Maynard.

Not many people have paid attention to what will be one of the most important fights of 2010, next month's heavyweight showdown between the immortal Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and the hot prospect Cain Velasquez.

Not only will we get to see two of the best heavyweights in the world go at it next month in Australia, the winner of that fight could be next in line for a shot at the heavyweight championship.

As I mentioned in today's recap of the Lesnar-Dana White conference call, the winner of Big Nog against Cain could be the next in line to fight Lesnar in the event that the winner of the Shane Carwin-Frank Mir bout is too injured to answer the call.

Granted that opportunity was just established a few short hours ago but the fact remains that we will be witnessing history at UFC 110.

This fight will go a long way in proving whether or not Velasquez is ready to take on the upper echelon UFC heavyweights and whether or not Nogueira is able to hang with the young bucks.

Big Nog looked very sharp against Couture at UFC 102, he looked nothing like the fighter who was dominated and finished for the very first time in his career by Mir at UFC 92 back in December of 2008.

Velasquez unleashed his unbridled fury against the always tough and capable Ben Rothwell at UFC 104.

There's a big difference between Rothwell and a healthy Nogueira.

I also believe there is a big difference between a 46-year-old Couture who is more suited for the light heavyweight division than there is a 27-year-old powerhouse who has a never-ending gas tank.

UFC 110 is one month away tomorrow. One would figure when a contest of this significance is getting ready to take place, there would be more attention paid towards the two combatants.

Velsaquez fans have said all along that their man was capable of handling any of the UFC's top heavyweights, while his detractors point out his inexperience and inability to finish a worn out and weary Check Kongo last June at UFC 99.

Here is his chance to prove to his fans, the UFC and himself that although he may only have seven wins under his belt, he has the toughness and guile of a man who has been competing all of his life.

This fight has so many ramifications. The winner will ultimately face the winner of Lesnar-Mir/Carwin but what happens to the loser?

If Velasquez loses he could take on Nogueira's teammate Junior dos Santos, providing Cigano is successful against Gabriel Gonzaga in March.

If Nogueira comes up on the short end of the stick he could face the loser of Mir-Carwin.

All in all it's a very exciting fight that should get the respect it deserves. To me, it's a lot more important than the Couture-Coleman matchup, it also carries more significance of who fight Daley next.

Those subjects have their place; it just shouldn't be ahead of Nogueira and Velasquez

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Against Cain Velasquez: Overshadowed Or Ignored? | Bleacher Report



If we could ..do you all think we could avoid one sided comments like war etc... If you think someone is going to win give us a reason to discuss it that is what makes a good thread..enjoy

[carbondioxide830]

i got money on both guys in two separate bets, but if i had to pick one, i'd say big nog.

[goodtimes]

I think Velasquez will win this one, he's too fast and I think his pressure will overwhelm Nog, but I could also see Nog getting his ass kicked for 2 rounds and catching a triangle in the 3rd.

[willpunisher]

i think nog takes this.. this will be a better fight than the randy vs nog fight.
plus i got 50 bucks on nog already. so he better 100%.
shit.

[Pasha K]

I have confidence on Nogueira, he is more experienced, he has better striking, better submissionist. Cain is better just in the wrestling, but in the other things for me Nog is superior.

[frogman]

Big Nog FTW
Big Nog by anacoda choke

cain is a great figther and has a great wrestling but he needs to learn how to do subs
and train stand up more

[stevequalude]

Lol I picked Nog to bc he is my fav fighter and I think he is gonna chocke him out..Just thought Cain would have more support

[The8thPlague]

This will be Cain's 1st lose. No doubt in my mind.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

I think everyone agrees that Cain has a bright future, but Nog is just in another league right now. Big Nog wants a title shot, wants to beat Mir, and wants to bring another belt home to show his buddies Silva and Machida. But I fully expect for Cain to have a good showing, and prove that he does belong with the upper tier HWs.

[Death Beast]

Cain by GNP stoppage with the MMA world crying about it the next day