Florida Monthly MMA Planner: December 2012

While the UFC doesn't actually travel to Florida this month they are putting on three separate cards this month, two of them on free tv.

Next week on December 8th the UFC is putting on a primetime broadcast on Fox featuring their Lightweight champion Benson Henderson (17-2) taking on the brash and aggressive Nate Diaz (16-7). Both fighters are highly skilled and this promises to be a classic match. The main card will also feature former UFC Champions Mauricio Rua (21-6) and B.J. Penn (16-8-2), who between them held three UFC title belts, taking on young contenders.

The next weekend features of UFC doubleheader on FX, the first being on Friday with an Australian card headlined by local favorites Featherweight George Sotiropoulos (14-4) and Floridian Middleweight Hector Lombard (31-3). Then on Saturday the 16th season of the Ultimate Fighter comes to an end with a card headlined by Blackzilian fighter Matt Mitrione (5-1).

Then on December 29th UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos (15-1) rematches with the man he took the title from Cain Velasquez (10-1). Also on that card is American Top Team featherweight (22-6) will be competing on this card.

Bellator Fighting Championships also is wrapping up their final season before they make the move to Spike.

There are not actually any major live MMA events taking place in Florida this month, but if you a fan of grappling there is plenty to do. On December 8th the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) is hosting their Pan-American Championships at The Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida. If you are more competitor than spectator registration is still open.

And as a side not the Blackzilians camp launched a new and very sleek website.

If you know of any other MMA, grappling or other martial art events taking place in Florida please don't hesitate to email or tweet me