· MMA Fight Guide – January 2011

The mixed martial arts New Year has already kicked off, with UFC 125 taking place on the first day of the year. The rest of the month is fairly slow, considering some of the monster months we have seen recently, but there is no shortage of intriguing fights.

Jan. 7 – "Strikeforce Challengers 13: Woodley vs. Saffiedine" (Showtime)
The Challengers series will return this Friday with perhaps the deepest card in its history. Welterweights Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine will battle for the right to be the top prospect in the Strikeforce 170-pound division, and the winner could be on the fast track for a title shot in 2011. Former Olympian Daniel Cormier will look to add to his perfect record as he takes on IFL veteran Devin Cole, and Ovince St. Preux hopes that he can continue to climb the light heavyweight rankings when he takes on Abongo Humphrey.

Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, the cousin of streetfight legend Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, will also make his Strikeforce debut, and Julia Budd will attempt to supplement her debut victory over Shana Olsen by taking out Amanda Nunes.

Jan. 22 – "UFN 23: Fight for the Troops 2" (Spike TV)
The UFC will travel to Texas and Fort Hood for its second event benefiting the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and a deep card full of top prospects is on tap. Lightweight Evan Dunham, trying to bounce back from the first loss of his career, will take on Melvin Guillard in the night’s main event.

A couple of heavyweight showdowns are on tap, as Matt Mitrione welcomes Tim Hague back to the Octagon and Pat Barry faces off with Joey Beltran. Featherweight Mark Hominick could earn a title shot with a win over George Roop, and lightweight Cole Miller will try to continue his two-fight submission streak in 2011 when he takes on fellow “Ultimate Fighter 5” castmate Matt Wiman.

Jan. 28 – "Titan Fighting Championships 16: Sylvia vs. Wagner" (HDNet)
Midwest promotion Titan Fighting Championships will make its debut on HDNet, and many notables are scheduled for the card. Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia will face TUF 10 veteran Abe Wagner in the main event in Kansas City, and knockout specialist Drew McFedries will slug it out with Strikeforce alum Gary Tapasua. IFL and WEC veteran L.C. Davis will take on undefeated prospect Jared Downing, and Kansas City native Jason High will look to supplement his “Dynamite!! 2010” victory with a win over Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Rudy Bears.

Jan. 29 – "Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg" (Showtime)
The first big-card showing from Strikeforce will take place in its home base in San Jose, and a championship doubleheader is slated for the event. Despite attempts to put together a catchweight fight with rival Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz will instead defend his title against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler will challenge Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza for his Strikeforce title, culminating a four-man pseudo-tournament that took place in 2010.

Roger Gracie will return to action to defend his unblemished record against Trevor Prangley, and Herschel Walker will return to the cage for the first time in nearly a year as he takes on WEC veteran Scott Carson.

Other events:

Jan. 7 – Tuff-N-Uff: “Las Vegas vs. 10th Planet Riverside” (GoFightLive.tv, $9.99)

Jan. 14 – "World Victory Road: Soul of Fight Part 1" (HDNet)*

Jan. 14 – "Combat at the Cabaret: Fight Night Round XII" (GoFightLive.tv, $9.99)

Jan. 21 – "World Victory Road: Soul of Fight Part 2" (HDNet)*

Jan. 21 – "Ultimate Reno Combat 21 – Way of the Warrior" (GoFightLive.tv, $9.99)*

Jan. 29 – "Wild Bill’s Fight Night 34" (Free on GoFightLive.tv)

*event is not live