Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Agrees to Fight Cain Velasquez at UFC 108, While Brock Lesnar is Doubtful, Sick with Mono

The Portuguese Sensei SporTV Blog is reporting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has confirmed he has agreed to fight Cain Velasquez at UFC 108, the first UFC event of the new year on January 2, 2010 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Sherdog spoke with Velasquez representative Bob Cook, who confirmed the fight has been proposed to them, but that they have not yet accepted. Nogueira is coming off a decision win over Randy Couture at UFC 102. Velasquez continued his undefeated streak in MMA with a TKO win over Ben Rothwell at the most recent UFC 104.

Meanwhile, Heavy.com is reporting Brock Lesnar is suffering from mononucleosis, the dreaded kissing disease, and continues to be unable to properly train for his UFC Heavyweight Championship bout with Shane Carwin.  Lesnar and Carwin were originally supposed to square off at UFC 106, however, Lesnar had to pull out of the fight due to this conflicting bout of mono.  The idea was floated for Lesnar/Carwin to headline UFC 108, the New Year's flagship event of the UFC, but it now appears highly unlikely that Lesnar will be ready for this show either.  This will mark the second title fight proposed for and later retracted from UFC 108.  Originally Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort were thought to be headlining the show for Silva's UFC Middleweight Championship.  Silva required elbow surgery, which will put his recovery beyond the January 2 show.

So back to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez. This fight would almost certainly be a number one contender fight with the winner getting Lesnar/Carwin.  Velasquez has indicated in interviews he is ready for a title shot now, but as Dana White pointed out at the UFC 104 post-fight press conference, Velasquez only has 7 fights under his belt.  Granted, Brock Lesnar had less when he got his shot, but he came into the UFC a major PPV draw from his time in the WWE, while Velasquez has been working his way up through the UFC ranks to make a name for himself and is not yet a proven draw.  A win over Nogueira in the main event of UFC 108, and I'm pretty sure Velasquez will have made a name for himself, and would definitely be deserving of a title fight.  On the flip side, a win by Nogueira over a young lion like Velasquez would prime the former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion for his rightful chance to don the UFC's top crown.

Complete UFC 108 Fight Card After the Break

UFC 108

MAIN CARD:

Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva (LH)

Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (H)

Carlos Condit vs. Paul Daley (W)

Tyson Griffin vs. Jim Miller (L)

PRELIMINARY BOUTS:

Martin Kampmann vs. Rory Markham (W)

Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout (L)

Dan Lauzon vs. Cole Miller (L)

Ryan Jensen vs. Mark Munoz (M)

Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Pyle (W)