UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview

The UFC 102 fight card features many exciting bouts. While there are no championships at stake, there is a title shot at stake in the heavyweight division. Additionally, there are many fights containing well known contenders against tough competition. The course of many careers will be changed by the outcomes of their matches in the UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira fight card.

Besides seeing this UFC 102 fight card preview, you can also check out my full UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira predictions.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

The winner of this bout is in line for a heavyweight title shot. For Couture, it would be a rematch against Brock Lesnar, while it would be Nogueira's first chance. Couture hasn't fought since his loss to Lesnar, and Nogueira is also trying to rebound from a stoppage loss, his to Frank Mir. Both men have a wealth of MMA experience against top competition. Will Couture's wrestling and tactics win out, or will it be Nogueira's striking and BJJ?

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva

Both of these fighters need a big win on the UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira fight card in order to keep their title contentions alive. Silva lost to Lyoto Machida, which doesn't set him back that much because he's now the champion. However Jardine has lost three of this last five. Silva has big power, something that Jardine has been susceptible to in the past. But Jardine is a tough fighter who has been in with some top flight competition as of late.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt

Does Chris Leben have another run left in him, or is his time as a top tier fighter over? He has the power to change any fight, but Rosholt is a rising fighter with great wrestling who could take that power away. Leben has lost most of his step-up fights, including against the likes of Michael Bisping, Jason MacDonald and Anderson Silva. Rosholt isn't a step-up, but he's certainly a test to see where Leben stands.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia

Marquardt has been working his way back into middleweight title contention, and Maia is an undefeated fighter who has choked out everyone he has faced in the UFC thus far. Marquardt however represents his best opponent, as well as most likely his strongest and biggest. The winner of this UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira bout is well on his way to a title shot against Anderson Silva.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Brandon Vera vs. Krzystof Soszynski

Brandon Vera was once one of the best fighters in the sport, but inactivity and injuries seem to have ruined him. However, he still has a great deal more experience at the highest level than Krzystof Soszynski. Will that experience, and his standup striking skills take the day, or will Soszynski's power, stamina and aggression win out? For Vera, another loss could be devastating to his UFC career.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Chris Tuchscherer

After knocking out Mirko Cro Crop, Gabriel Gonzaga was supposed to be the next heavyweight champion in the UFC. However, he was schooled by Randy Couture, finished by Fabricio Werdum and most recently knocked out by the rising Shane Carwin. This is a must win fight for Gonzaga, and he must look good in the process.

UFC 102 Fight Card and Preview: Wilson Gouveia vs. James Irvin

This UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira fight card addition has a great chance at ending up as the fight of the night and/or the knockout of the night. Both of these men love to swing for the fences, and both have great striking power. Gouveia has a more complete game, but Irvin is more explosive. Both are coming off of stoppage losses and will be looking to reverse that trend against one another.

Now that you now the UFC 102 fight card, don't forget to check out my full UFC 102 Couture vs. Nogueira predictions.