We just got through UFC 128 this past weekend and now we are gearing up for UFC Fight Night 24: Nogueira vs. Davis, which will take place in Seattle, Washington, on Saturday night airing on Spike TV at 9pm ET. It looks like it’ll be a very solid night of fights for free!

This event has a couple fights that could be important down the line, although the show was hit by the injury bug as several fighters had to withdraw from the card. However, one of those situations turned out to be for the better, with top prospect Phil Davis replacing Tito Ortiz and getting some exposure against a game opponent in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Phil Davis vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: This fight is very important in the ground scheme of things and will answer a lot of questions about both fighters. If Nogueira is able to pull off the victory, he re-establishes himself amongst the top half of the UFC light heavyweight division. If Davis wins, it gives him instant credibility and sort of signals that Nogueira’s best days are now behind him. Davis is primarily a wrestler with good grappling ability, but his striking ability should be improving as time goes on. Nogueira has very good boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but will probably not be able to stop Davis from taking him down. So this fight comes down to the top control of Davis versus the guard of Nogueira. I think Davis will be able to nullify Nogueira on the ground and grind out a decision, maybe even finish him late in the fight with ground and pound. Betus has Davis as the betting favorite at (-300) and Nogueira as the underdog at (+220).

Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson: I can’t wait for this one either. Both fighters like to stand and bang and have promised to do so. Each fighter has good power with the edge going to Johnson, but Hardy is probably the more technical guy. If it comes down to it, Johnson has the wrestling advantage and probably will be able to take Hardy down if he wants to. Johnson hasn’t fought in a year and a half and his weight is always a question mark. He could certainly gas about halfway through this fight if he doesn’t have his weight under control. Hardy last fought in October and has lost two in a row. He certainly doesn’t want to make it three. If both fighters deliver on what they have promised, we should be in for an entertaining scrap. Betus has Johnson as the betting favorite at (-190) and Hardy as the underdog at (+155).

Amir Sadollah vs. DeMarques Johnson: Johnson is the third opponent that Sadollah was given to face after two other fighters pulled out of the fight due to injuries. This fight could be fairly entertaining with Sadollah’s muay thai against Johnson’s boxing. However, both fighters are versed in submissions as well if the fight were to go that route. Both fighters are coming off wins, so they are looking to get on a roll to climb up that welterweight ladder. Betus has Sadollah is the betting favorite at (-260) with Johnson as the underdog at (+200).

Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung: If this fight is anything like the last fight, the fans will be in for a treat. It was one of the most talked about fights from last year. Frankly, I think it would be hard to replicate but maybe we’ll get lucky? Garcia just loves to stand and bang, throwing wild hay-makers even though versed in submissions as well. I expect nothing less from Garcia, so Jung may have to just help him give an encore of last year’s fight. There is no current betting line on this fight.

Other Notables

The preliminary card will feature welterweight prospects Johny Hendricks and John Hathaway as they look to get back on the winning track after suffering losses in their last outing. The preliminary card will also feature TUF notable Alex Caceres, aka “Bruce Leeroy,” taking on former WEC fighter Mackens Semerzier.

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