The UFC returns to Minnesota on Friday night for the first time since UFC 87 as they present UFC on FX 5: Browne vs. Silva. The card has 12 bouts in all with four being aired on FX, six on Fuel TV and two on Facebook.

There is really only one bout that has any title implications and that is John Dodson vs. Jussier da Silva (Formiga). The winner of that contest could very well be the first man to challenge UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for his newly won title.

Travis Browne vs. Antonio Silva is the main event and Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron is the co-main event. The welterweight show down was originally scheduled for UFC 151, but that event was of course cancelled.

Browne is 13-0-1 and is coming off of a victory over Chad Griggs at UFC 145. He is 4-0-1 in the UFC with the draw coming against Cheick Kongo at UFC 120. Silva made his promotional debut at UFC 146 and was busted open by Cain Velasquez and lost via 1st round TKO.

There are a few other interesting match-ups including Michael Johnson vs. Danny Castillo, Jeremy Stephens vs. Yves Edwards and Darren Uyenoyama vs. Phil Harris in a battle of flyweights. Let’s take a look at which fighters are in need of a win in order to keep their roster spot in the UFC.

Marcus LeVesseur- The 30-year-old Minneapolis resident made his UFC debut against Cody McKenzie in May on the UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier card. He was choked out 3:05 into round number one and the pressure will be on as he fights in front of his family and friends while trying to avoid an 0-2 start to his UFC career. The four time Division III National Champion wrestler needs a win over Carlo Prater if he wants another invitation back to the dance.

Carlo Prater- This bout will mark the return to the lightweight division for the former WEC welterweight title contender. His last time out he lost to T.J. Grant via unanimous decision on the Zombie-Poirier card. Before that he defeated top prospect Erick Silva via DQ because the referee claimed Silva landed several punches to the back of Prater’s head. Long story short he was getting handled and much like the Matt Hamill victory over Jon Jones, he won because of a bad call. At 31, Prater is no longer considered a prospect and a loss is a loss whether it’s at 155 or 170.

Continue Reading On Page 2.

Shane Roller- Although Roller won his last bout against John Alessio, it wasn’t very exciting and it halted a three fight losing streak. He needs another win here against Jacob Volkman in order to avoid being cut. A 1-4 run in the UFC lightweight division isn’t going to keep you employed very long. A Fight of the Night type loss could be enough to get him another shot, but other than that, anything but a W and Roller will be shown the door.

Jeremy Stephens- “Lil Heathen” is just 26-years-old and already has 28 career fights on his resume. He’s lost two in a row with both losses coming via decision. At UFC 136 he lost a split decision to Anthony Pettis and on the Zombie-Poirier card he lost via unanimous decision to Donald Cerrone. Stephens is normally very exciting having won three Knockout of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night awards. A loss here puts him in jeopardy, but if he puts on a typical Stephens fight he may get another shot.

Josh Neer- Now on his fourth run with the organization, Neer has a 6-7 record inside the Octagon. The UFC has shown they have no problem cutting “The Dentist” so it’s imperative he gets a win here over Justin Edwards. Neer last fought at UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall in June where he lost to Mike Pyle via first round TKO. He is the ultimate journeyman having competed for Bellator, Shark Fights and the IFL. Should he be cut I’m sure he’ll be back on his feet in no time.

Justin Edwards- With a 1-2 record in the UFC, Edwards has been inconsistent to say the least. He came into the organization with a 6-0 record having submitted 5 of his opponents in the first round. He knocked out former Ultimate Fighter season one contestant JoshRafferty in his MMA debut, but since debuting with the UFC he has gone to three straight decisions. He needs a win here if he expects to get another fight.

comments