The UFC has been on a tear this year with every event and card leaving us with something to remember. They will again this weekend as two key fighters in the welterweight division face off at UFC on Fox 26 on December 16^th In Winnipeg, Canada. #4 ranked Rafael Dos Anjos takes on #2 “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler as they both have their eyes set on getting back to the top of the mountain.

Dos Anjos is on a 2 fight streak as his most recent was at UFC 215 were he finished Neil Magny by Arm-Triangle choke in the 1^st round. Robbie Lawler also won his last bout at UFC 214 earlier this year by unanimous decision over “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone. A win for both of these fighters could put them in front of Tyron Woodley in the octagon for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Since Rafael Dos Anjos lost his Lightweight Championship to Eddie Alvarez last year on July 7^th, 2016 at UFC fight night 90, he had a fight with current Interim Lightweight Champion “El Cuyuy” Tony Ferguson at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale where he also lost by unanimous decision.

After these 2 losses, Dos Anjos decided to move up to the welterweight division. This was definitely for his best interest and health, he opened up in an interview earlier this year about how his body was shutting down during the brutal weight cuts and recalls passing out multiple times while trying to make the 155lbs limit for his bout with Alvarez. He turned everything around this year as we enter the closing of 2017 as he has 2 wins in spectacular fashion at 170lbs.

Robbie Lawler also lost his Welterweight Championship belt last year on July 20^th, 2017 at UFC 201 via KO by Tyrone Woodley. Since that loss, Robbie was scheduled to face Donald Cerrone at UFC 213 but the fight got pushed back due to injuries Cerrone had. Lawler and Cerrone finally faced off at UFC 214 where he won with a dominating performance. I personally expect the fight to end in a knockout from either fighter but we will just have to wait and see.

#3 ranked Featherweight Richard Lamas was expected to face #1 ranked Jose Aldo but Aldo replaced the injured Frankie Edgar in a championship bout with Champ Max Holloway instead this past weekend, Where Aldo lost via TKO. Aldo has been replaced by Josh Emmet. Richard Lamas is on a 2 fight win streak with a TKO victory over Jason Knight and a submission victory against Charles Olivera.

Josh Emmet returned to the featherweight division last October at UFC Fight Night 118 where he beat Felipe Arantes via Unanimous Decision. A win for RIchard Lamars could shape him for a potential title about with Holloway in 2018. But if Josh Emmet could pull off a upset it could put him higher into a contender spot in the stacked featherweight division.

Another clash of welterweights is going down as Santiago Ponzinibbio takes on “Platinum” Mike Perry. Santiago is going into this fight with a 5 fight streak with his last victory being over Gunner Nelson via TKO at UFC Fight Night 113. Perry is on a 2 fight win streak with both being devastating KO’s. A win for both of these gentlemen will definitely shake up the welterweight division. As a brewing feud between contender Darren Till and Mike Perry could be next for Perry if he can put away Santiago. But Santiago has his eyes on making it a 6 fight win streak and breaking into the top 5 rankings.

In the Light-Heavyweight division #3 ranked Glover Teixeira battles #7 Misha Cirkunov. Both fighters are coming off of losses at UFC Fight Night 109 back on May 28^th, 2017. Glover a victim of a one side beating that lead to a brutal knockout at the hands of Alexander Gustafsson. And Misha was knocked out in the first round by Volkon Oezdemur. A win for these fighters could give both of them the momentum they need to get back on track and get to the top of the division.

Originally Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was scheduled to face Jared Cannonier for a Light-Heavyweight bout but Antonio was flagged by USADA on October 19^th. Antonio has now been replaced by Jan Blachowicz to face Cannonier this weekend at UFC On Fox 26, catch in on FOX at 8.P.M. ET.