Sherdog.com Preview: Two Title Bouts Cap UFC 64

Two titles fights highlight the UFC 64 main draw. The first is a vacant gold strap whose new owner will reign over a recently unearthed division in the UFC. The other is held by a champion who has lost only once in his career in possibly the deepest and hottest division in the sport.

Before they go for the gold, Spencer Fisher (Pictures) will look to continue his roll in the Octagon taking on newcomer Dan Lauzon. French heavyweight Cheick Kongo (Pictures) hopes to make his case for a title shot with a win over UFC neophyte Carmelo Marrero. Then rising welterweight threat Jon Fitch (Pictures) takes on Japanese grappler Kuniyoshi Hironaka (Pictures).

And in title action, Sean Sherk (Pictures) drops down to lightweight to face the cerebral one, TUF 1 finalist Kenny Florian (Pictures), who is 3-0 in the Octagon since the show and could be the first member of the reality show to win UFC gold.

Then Rich Franklin (Pictures), the reigning middleweight king, returns from injury to defend his title against Brazilian knockout artist Anderson Silva in the UFC 64 headliner.

The card features four grappling-intensive bouts as all eight competitors favor jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling or a hybrid grappling style as their chosen discipline. Worthy of note, an actual Capoeira professor enters the Octagon as Junior Assuncao makes his UFC debut. He will face the “Batman” Pellegrino.

One of the hardest working men in MMA, Clayton Guida (Pictures) makes first appearance in the Octagon and he’ll try to bloody up “The Pretty Boy” Justin James (Pictures) (note: not a good combat sports nickname. You’re just asking for it).

The remaining under card bouts feature three TUF veterans as well as judo stylist Yushin Okami (Pictures). Keith Jardine (Pictures) battles tattooed grappler Mike Nickels and the aforementioned Okami battles Canadian Kalib Starnes (Pictures).