Flurry of Announced Matchups

In the aftermath of UFC 80, they've announced scads of matchups but still no word of who will face Jon Fitch at UFC 82.

• Andrei Arlovski vs Jake O'Brien: UFC 82
• Fightlinker's already on the record saying this fight is a blatant attempt to damage Arlovski's value on the open market by putting him in against Jake "the Human Blanket" O'Brien in a match almost guaranteed to be a snooze. I don't know what it means, I just know that no one wants to see Sylvia/Arlovski IV.
  
  
• Diego Sanchez vs. Roan Carneiro: UFC 82
• I've been wondering what was next for Diego, now we know -- a very strong BJJ artist. The winner of this one will be on their way back to contention at 170.
  
  
• Demian Maia vs Ed Herman
• Should be a good chance for BJJ phenom Maia to show his stuff against a top wrestler in Herman. If "Short Fuse" can beat Maia, he'll be back in contention at 185.
  
  
• Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami: UFC 84
• Since all the TUF pusses chose to duck Tanner, they're rushing him into a #1 contender match against Okami. Rough welcome back to the UFC for Tanner, but should be a great fight. We'll see if Tanner can solve the riddle of Okami or if he'll "get ridden like a whore." The winner will likely be up for a title shot. We might get to see the long-awaited Tanner vs Jeremy Horn match in the UFC as well.
  
  
• Rich Clementi vs. Sam Stout: UFC 84
• This is close to "who cares" country but both guys are skilled and have been winning in the UFC, they're just a long long way from contention in the very crowded UFC lightweight class.
  
• Jonathan Goulet vs Kuniyoshi Hironaka: UFC 84
• I'm actually a fan of Hironaka after his tough fight against Jon Fitch, but he had no answer for Thiago Alves' leg kicks. I think this will be a good matchup of well-rounded fighters. No impact on the title picture though, this is strictly a "loser leaves town" match.
  
  
• B.J. Penn vs Sean Sherk: UFC 85
• This is the big one. There are already rumors that if B.J. wins and GSP beats Serra (and maybe Fitch) that there could be a B.J vs GSP rematch for all the marbles. Whoo!
• Jon Fitch vs Marcus Davis: UFC 82
• This one isn't scheduled but MMA Mania is already calling for it and it seems like a good solution since Karo is ducking Fitch.

  Update [2008-1-21 10:30:51 by Nick Thomas]:

• Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva: UFC 85
• A really bad night for Evans. Thiago's a tough fight for anyone. I just don't see where Rashad would beat him.