by Dave Stanford

Created on: September 15, 2010   Last Updated: November 16, 2010

The fight card for UFC 119 doesn't compare to that of last month's event in Boston, but there are still some intriguing matches in this months event in Indiana. The main event took a turn a couple of months ago when Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira withdrew from his match with Frank Mir due to a knee injury. This left the UFC in need of another big name heavyweight  for the main event as most other prominent stars had already fought or were signed on for upcoming events. As a replacement the UFC added Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic to the main event replacing Nogueira. This doesn't have the hype of the original match with Mir vs "Minotauro", but is still an interesting matchup.

Mir is coming off of a devastating knockout to Shane Carwin and if he wants to earn a title shot in the future then this is a must win fight for Mir. Cro Cop is coming off of back to back wins, but neither were seen as high level heavyweight opponents, so if he wants a title shot then this is also a must win. Both fighters are also considered veterans that could be on their last run, but it will end for one of them after this fight.

This is an interesting match up of styles as Mir is a jiu jitsu black belt who is lethal on the ground, while Cro Cop's head kicks are legendary. However, in their some of their latest matches both have show improved all around games as Mir out struck Cheick Kongo, while Cro Cop submitted Pat Barry.  Neither fighter would be comfortable in the other fighters area, but have proven they do posses multiple skills. Look for Frank Mir to do enough stand up to take Cro Cop to the ground and take the fight via submission.

The Co-Main event of the night is Antônio Rogério Nogueira versus Ryan "Darth" Bader. This is a match up between the veteran Nogueira and the Ultimate Fighter alumni Bader. Neither has lost a fight in the UFC, but look for Nogueira's experience to be the factor here. "Little Nog" has fought the best in the world and will no doubt use this experience to defeat Bader via a decision victory.

There are several other exciting fighters on the card including home town boy Chris "Lights Out" Lytle who is taking on Matt Serra. Both fighters are well rounded and love to strike. Serra has heavy hands, but Lytle was once a professional boxer who can also take a punch. Look for Lytle to squeak out a decision victory here in this match.

UFC 119 also features the return to the cage of former light weight champion Sean Sherk who is taking on fellow wrestler Even Dunham. Sherk is looking to get back on the winning track, while Dunham is looking to extend his undefeated streak in the UFC and MMA. This could be the last change for Sherk in the UFC and a loss could mean being cut. Look for him to out wrestle Dunham and use ground and pound to get the victory.

Other fights on the card that are worth watching include:

Melvin Guillard (25-8-2) vs. Jeremy Stephens (17-5)

C.B. Dollaway (10-2) vs. Joe Doerksen (46-12)

Matt Mitrione (2-0) vs. Joey Beltran (12-3)

The 3 fights above could actually be more entertaining than the main event and look for Guillard vs Stephens to be the "Fight of the Night".

Although this event doesn't have the big names of previous pay per views, it is sure to be an entertaining card with some of the lesser known fights producing highlight reel knockouts or submissions.

Learn more about this author, Dave Stanford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.