UFC 173

Dana White has claimed over the past few months that it is Renan Barao that should be considered the #1 pound for pound fighter on the planet since demolishing any opponent to stand across from him. Not only that, but Renan Barao is exciting, and a finisher.  Bring in a young stud who always puts on a good show in TJ Dillashaw and you have quite the title fight in the main event.  Meanwhile, potential top contender Daniel Cormier takes on MMA legend Dan Henderson and former top contender Robbie Lawler takes on a killer in Jake Ellenberger.  To say those 3 fights are amazing is an understatement, but this PPV.  Here is my take on how it all goes down on Saturday night:

Fight Pass Prelims:

• Li JingLiang decision over David Michaud because look at that name.
• Sam Sicilia KO of Aaron Philips
• Anthony Njokuani and Vinc Pichel could win FOTN in a real barn burner.  Njokuani via TKO in the 3rd.

Preliminary Fights on Fox Sports 1:

• Al Iaquinta KO with that nasty right hand over Mitch Clarke
• Chris Holdsworth guillotine choke win over Chico Camus
• Tony Ferguson decision over Katsunori Kikuno
• Michael Chiesa with his signature RNC over Francisco Trinaldo

PPV:

•  Jamie Varner has had one of the most up and down careers a guy can possibly have.  He is currently on a skid but has been nothing short of entertaining in losing efforts to Lauzon and Trujillo.  The exciting James Krause is trying to bounce back from a very controversial loss to Bobby Green against the dangerous Varner.  I say Varner uses enough wrestling to take a few rounds and eventually lands that fight ending punch.  Varner via KO.
• Takeya Mizugaki has been on quite the winning streak lately.  Francisco Rivera is one of the most powerful punchers in the bantamweight division.  I think Mizugaki's chin holds up through Rivera's early onslaught and Takeya can take home a decision win.  This win puts him in line for some big fights with top 10 bantamweights like Faber, Assuncao, McDonald, or Wineland.
• Robbie Lawler put on one heck of a showing in his losing effort to Johny Hendricks.  Jake Ellenberger has been in the mix forever at 170 but hasn't gotten that signature win to put him over the hump.  They both have a chance to be a fight away from a title fight with a win here.  I for one see Lawler winning here and getting a top contender match.  Lawler vs Matt Brown anyone?  Sign me up.  Lawler via decision over Ellenberger.
• Daniel Cormier is a stud and really offers Jon Jones a tough match based on his skill set.  However, he has to get through Dan Henderson first!  Whenever people count Dan Henderson out, he surprises us all with spectacular wins.  His last fight was amazing and he really put the 205lb division on notice that he isn't done yet.  As much as I would love to see the H-bomb destroy Daniel Cormier's face, it doesn't happen on Saturday.  DC puts Henderson on his back and beats him up for a while.  Too much speed and amazing wrestling to lose to Hendo here.  DC vs Jon Jones should be the next fight to make.
• Renan Barao is top 5 pound for pound no doubt.  #1?  Not so sure I agree with Dana about that.  Him and Jose Aldo have literally been unbeatable for a very long time now.  As much as I love what Dillashaw brings to the table, I am not sure he pulls off this upset.  Dillashaw has great wrestling, great chokes, and underrated striking so you never know.  Still, Barao is the best at everything at 135 and should remain champ.  I do think that Barao's 100% finish rate in title fights comes to an end though.  Barao via decision.