UFC 131: Big Opportunities for Lesser Known Fighters

Lack of major names doesn’t mean a lack of excitement

UFC 131 promises to be a coming out party for a number of fighters, as the minimal amount of big name pairings gives some of the less recognizable UFC stars a chance to shine.

The high profile heavyweight main event between Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos should prove to be explosive; both men are well-known knockout artists, and each are predicting fireworks to end the event.

Throughout the rest of the card, emerging talents are being given their chance to step into the spotlight and make a lasting impression with the UFC audience.

Diego Nunes

Featherweight Diego Nunes boasts an impressive 16-1 record, but remains under the radar. However welcoming perennial lightweight contender Kenny Florian to the division in the night’s co-main event will give the Brazilian the opportunity to prove that he, not the Ultimate Fighter finalist, is next in line to challenge for the 145 pound title.

UFC newcomers Jon Olav Einemo and Dave “Pee-Wee” Herman are both intriguing additions to the heavyweight ranks, while former WEC lightweight contender Donald Cerrone continues his quest to prove he belongs among the elite in the 155 pound division in the UFC.

The preliminary portion of the card is full of Fight of the Night contenders as well.

Lightweight veterans Sam Stout and Yves Edwards shared some Oreos on stage at Friday’s weigh ins, and they’ll share the cage on Spike TV as well. Both have a wealth of experience and dangerous striking, two variables that could earn them Fight of the Night honors; that is if Dustin Poirier and British kickboxer Jason Young don’t steal the show before them.

As the action kicks off in the cage, be sure to catch Fight Day on HeavyMMA, featuring exclusive interviews with UFC 131 participants Shane Carwin and Keny Florian.

Also joining hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi on set will be heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub, UFC Canada Director of Operations Tom Wright, and our expert panel will break down the biggest stories in the sport and give their predictions on the pay-per-view action.

Fight Day starts at 3pm PT/6pm ET online here at Heavy.com, as well as Yahoo.com, Maxim.com, FoxSports.com and the Heavy MMA Facebook page.

You don’t want to miss the show or the action in the cage at UFC 131.