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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
A monster heavyweight clash looks to be coming to the UFC 108 card in Las Vegas, NV, this January, as the Brazilian website Tatame.com reports that Cain Velasquez will face off against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on the card.
The bout will likely serve as a number one contender's bout between the two, with the winner facing the eventual Champion following the Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin bout, whenever that ends up taking place.
Velasquez picked up a mighty impressive victory over Ben Rothwell just a week and a half ago at UFC 104, even though referee Steve Mazzagatti was criticized for stopping the bout early. Despite that, Velasquez dominated Rothwell from the outset with his relentless ground game and unblocked shots in his ground and pound game.
Nogueira got back on track in the heavyweight division in August with a victory over Randy Couture at UFC 102. The bout, which will re-air this Saturday night on Spike TV, was one of the best of 2009 and an instant classic between two legendary figures in the sport.
UFC 108 is set to air live on pay-per-view from Las Vegas, NV.
Penick's Analysis: Now this is a fight that we can all look forward to. It's an excellent match up, and one that Matt Pelkey and I called for in our fallout audio from UFC 104 after Velasquez's victory. If Velasquez is truly deserving of a Title shot here after the run he's had thus far then getting through Nogueira is a must. On the flip side, for Nogueira to get back into contention after the loss he suffered to Frank Mir last December, a win over a guy like Velasquez is a must. This is a great, great, great fight and one that I can't wait to see. If Lesnar is unable to go on January 2nd, this can definitely serve as a solid main event bout, even if it's not the Title fight many were hoping for.
[Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira art - Credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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