The UFC has been on a hot streak of announcing big fights for the promotion, but that has not stopped. While everyone is waiting to hear the Fedor has been signed there is nothing to announce yet the UFC still has been filling up their December cards with some big fights. In fact, there is a whole card that has yet to have any fights with Dana White announcing UFC Fight Night 80.
The biggest fight, not to happen in December, is the welterweight title fight between Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit. It was supposed to happen at UFC 193, but an injury to the champion postponed the fight. Now, Condit still gets his shot at the title at UFC 195 which happens New Year’s weekend in January 2nd. No other fights have been announced for the Las Vegas card.
Urijah Faber was having trouble finding a fight but he now has about lined up for UFC 194. The 26 year old former WEC champion returns to 135 to take on Frankie Saenz after moving back up to 145 to take on former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Bantamweight is where Edgar has done his best work going 19-4 over the course of his career at the weight class. The 35 year old Saenz has won three straight in the Octagon.
Also set for UFC 194 is a big fight for 145. Max Holloway is fresh off a win over Charles Oliveira and that was his 7th straight win. Now he will take on Jeremy Stephens who has gone 4-2 since moving down to Featherweight. He lost to Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira, but he reversed his fortunes with a huge win over Dennis Bermudez with a TKO due to flying knee in the third round. Lastly, Demian Maia has returned from a staph infection to take on a grappling ace in Gunnar Nelson. Then again his grappling skills will be put to the test when he takes on the BJJ world champion Maia.
The biggest fight announced for the card is none other than Joanna Jedrzejczyk going for her second title defense as the co-main event of the Ronda Rousey versus Holly Holm card. it was rumored she would fight on the same card as Rousey when the fight was supposed to happen at UFC 195. Then it was unknown if Joanna’s thumb injury would prevent her from fighting so quick and her supposed challenger, Claudia Gadelha, was also out due to injury. Luckily, the UFC had a new challenger in the form of Valerie Letourneau. Valerie earned her title shot off the strength of a three fight win streak. The Canadian born fighter actually entered the UFC at 135 with a win over Elizabeth Phillips, and she followed up that win with two fights at 125 taking both within the 2015 fight calendar. This has now earned her a fight for the title before the year is out.