Source: Sherdog

Today the UFC confirmed three huge fights for its year end show on FOX. UFC on FOX 5 is so stacked I don’t even know how the UFC pulled it off. Barring any injuries (crossing fingers), this card has the makings to be the biggest and most successful live MMA cards ever.

Since when does BJ Penn fight and is not at least in the co-main event? Penn finally has a date with MacDonald after MacDonald had to pull out of their UFC 152 fight with a serious cut. I am even more concerned for BJ now that he has to take a beating from MacDonald on live television. Do you think BJ is taking the extra time to train or relax while in Hawaii? Yeah I thought so.

Shogun Rua fighting Alexander Gustafsson has all the makings of a “passing the torch” type fight. The old bull in Shogun will lose and legitimize the next big thing at light heavyweight in Gustafsson. Shogun looked decent against Brandon Vera but Gustafsson is on another level at this point. I am not sure Shogun can survive another war. This fight will be a test for Gustafsson but will also gauge what Shogun has left.

And then we have Benson Henderson defending his title against Nate Diaz. Henderson just beat Frankie Edgar and is already scheduled for another fight.You have to give it up to Henderson for taking the fight so quickly. He might regret it as Diaz has been red hot lately. If Henderson can beat Diaz, he will finally legitimize his reign as UFC lightweight champion.

Like I said, this card is so stacked with just those three fights. But we won’t know if it will live up to how well UFC on FOX 4 fared with those impressive victories. UFC on FOX 5 takes place on December 8, a venue has not been set.

Update 8/27/2012: Two nice fights have been added to UFC on FOX 5. A war between heavyweights Brendan Shaub and Lavar Johnson have been confirmed as well as a welterweight contender’s match between Mike Swick and Matt Brown. The two fights will help round out the card although we do not know which will make the main card.

Update 12/7/2012: It took three attempts for Nate Diaz to make 155 lbs but he did it. Tomorrow’s title fight between Ben Henderson and Nate Diaz is official. All other main event fighters made weight without any issues.