PEREZ: UFC 124 features prospects and veterans alike with something to fight for

By: Anwar Perez, MMATorch Columnist

The last UFC event of the year has been focused on the coaches from the latest Ultimate Fighter season facing off against each other in the main event. With headliners in Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck, the fight card under them really doesn't have to be stellar or name worthy in the fights that are going to be presented. It's fight cards such as these that we are able to see some new up and comers or rejuvenated veterans in the cage, and see what they can do when it matters in the spotlight.

The "co-main event" features two heavyweights wanting to make a case for their inclusion in the heavyweight title picture in 2011. Stefan Struve and Sean McCorkle both have an opportunity to show the UFC brass what they can bring to the division. The upside for McCorkle is that he is still undefeated, albeit untested in the UFC, as his lone UFC win came in September against Mark Hunt in a surprise submission win for McCorkle. Struve has made some strides as he is ever-improving, but has fallen short against top competition in title contender Junior Dos Santos and Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson. An impressive win will get either fighter looks as a serious contender for the future by Joe Silva and Dana White.

Other fighters such as Jim Miller, John Howard, and Charles Oliveira are also in the mix for making a name for themselves in their respective weight classes. These are fighters on the cusp of the top. Oliveira is an impressive new-comer and looks to skyrocket towards the lightweight title, as Miller is trudging through his opponents to reach the same level. Howard, meanwhile, will look to gain a very important win against former title contender Thiago Alves.

Fighters in Thiago Alves, Mac Danzig, Joe Stevenson, Dustin Hazelett, and Ricardo Almeida are veterans or former contenders that are looking for credible wins to continue their legacy in the UFC. That's not to say that if any of these aforementioned fighters lose that they are out of the UFC, but Danzig, Stevenson, and Almeida have to have that in the back of their minds going into their respective fights.

With a good mix of veterans still trying to reach the top, and newcomers wanting to make a big splash, the fights should be exciting as everyone on this card will have something to fight for.

We've already seen that with the UFC-WEC merger only the best of the best will stay in the UFC. With a fighter like Gerald Harris getting cut from the UFC because of his last performance (and only loss in the Octagon) against Maiquel Falcao, time will only tell whether the fighters not named Georges St. Pierre or Josh Koscheck on this card will leave everything in the cage and live to fight another day outside the UFC, or whether they will create an opportunity for greater things in the Octagon.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/pereztake/article_7684.shtml

Tito Ortiz Frankie Edgar Georges St-Pierre Anderson Silva