4 Things to Watch in MMA This Weekend

1. Flyweight Title Eliminator

The average sports fan doesn't seem to like watching lighter weight fighters, be it in boxing or MMA. But the savvy combat sports fan will tell you that no fighters deliver action like the small fighters. Flyweights are more dynamic, athletic and explosive than their larger brethren and on top of that they don't gas out after one round. The UFC has just added the division to their ranks, and now that Demetrious Johnson is the Flyweight Champion he needs a challenger.

For his first defense the UFC is matching two Top 10 Flyweights on the UFC on FX 5 card, with the winner getting the shot at Johnson. John Dodson, the winner of the 14th season of The Ultimate Fighter, is a ball of energy with a speed based striking game. Jussier da Silva is making his UFC debut and is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu based grappling wizard, with seven submission wins to his name. Silva is going to look to get the fight to the ground, but Dodson is a crafty counter-wrestler with excellent scrambles. This promises to be an exciting fight with real title implications.

2. Heavyweight Clash

The UFC gives MMA fans another clash of Heavyweight contenders, Travis Browne and Antonio Silva. Both these fighters are further up the Heavyweight ladder than Stefan Struve, who won last in dramatic fashion last weekend. Both Browne and Silva are massive fighters who scrap the upper limits of the 265 lb limit of the Heavyweight division.

Silva is used to be being the larger fighter in his fights, but for once he will actually be at a reach and size disadvantage. Silva struggled with the speed of AKA fighters Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. By all appearances Browne, standing at a somewhat soft 6'7", would be a slower fighter, but he is deceptively athletic and will likely have a speed edge on the plodding Silva. The Brazilian does have excellent takedowns and a crushing top game, so Browne will want to be careful when engaging, but his combination of speed and power should be enough to handle Silva.

3. Invicta FC

The all women's MMA promotion looks to crown an Atomweight championship, and both the girls in that bout can fight. Jessica Penne works with the former head coach of Chute Boxe Rafael Cordeiro, who has produced some of the biggest stars on the male side of the sport. On top of that Penne trains with one of the best competitive jiu jitsu teams in Checkmat. Naho Sugiyama is a very well rounded fighter, with good wrestling and striking and is likely the better overall fighter, but Penne is better on the ground. This is something of a toss up fight which promises to be an awesome match.

4. Shinya Aoki

This Japanese grappling wizard Shinya Aoki is a must watch anytime he fights because of his masterful and aggressive submission attack. While Aoki has struggled in his career against top five level fighters, is a born show man and always looks to win in exciting fashion. And when Aoki is faced with fighters like Arnaud Lepont, who are grapplings not on his level, Aoki normally finds an exciting and exotic way to finish.