UFC
UFC on Fox 3's top fights providing title implications for Nate Diaz, Johny Hendricks
May 2, 2012 - 6:30:06 PM UFC on Fox 3's top fights providing title implications for Nate Diaz, Johny Hendricks

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

This Saturday's UFC on Fox 3 event may have ramifications on the title pictures of two divisions, with the top two fights providing matchups with at least one fighter guaranteed to have their name thrown in for a title fight. However, much like January's Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis bout, it's not a guarantee for both competitors in each fight.

"We're in one of those situations that we were in before with Davis and Evans," UFC President Dana White said of the Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz main event during a media conference call on Wednesday (transcribed by MMAFighting.com. "Should Diaz win, Diaz is definitely getting a title shot. Should Miller win, Miller's probably going to be a fight or two away."

The same situation is in play for the night's co-main event bout between Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck. If Hendricks wins, a shot at the welterweight title will be on tap, but a Koscheck win won't put him in line quite yet.

Of course, in each situation, the title fights in the respective divisions aren't happening for awhile, meaning their may be one more fight for the winners to take in the interim regardless of which fighter proves victorious.

Penick's Analysis: Because Miller was just defeated by Ben Henderson last summer, it makes sense that he wouldn't be the next in line with a win over Diaz. Diaz's win over Cerrone and then a win over Miller would be great wins, but he'll likely still need to fight once more with Henderson-Frankie Edgar II not coming until August. As for Hendricks and Koscheck, Hendricks would absolutely have a claim to a title shot with consecutive wins over Jon Fitch and Koscheck, but Koscheck won't be getting near one for awhile with two losses to GSP. Again, none of the four are likely to be fighting for a title in their next fights, the timing's just not going to work.