Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today announced a pair of upcoming bouts for its UFC on FX network debut, currently scheduled for January 2012, though an exact date and location have yet to be revealed.

From UFC.com:

A welterweight bout with fight of the year potential will unfold as Josh ‘The Dentist’ Neer and Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig have verbally agreed to meet in the new year. In addition, a heavyweight showdown has been verbally agreed to for with Christian Morecraft taking on Pat ‘HD’ Barry."

City, date and international viewing information will be made available shortly.

Today's announcement comes less than one week removed from the UFC on FOX: "Velasquez vs. Dos Santos" network television event, held on Nov. 12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

FX will also carry season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), among other things.

Barry (6-4) is coming off back-to-back losses to Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve. The stocky and cocky kickboxer may not be on the chopping block just yet, but a third consecutive loss certainly won't do him any favors, either.

Matt Mitrione entered the "World of Morecraft" and left with a knockout win back at UFC on Versus 4, dropping Morecraft (7-2) to just 1-2 inside the Octagon. A loss in "HD" and it's likely curtains on his Zuffa career.

Also fighting for a spot on the roster -- albeit a much higher one -- is Josh Neer (32-10-1). The welterweight "Dentist" has strung together five straight wins, all of them stoppages, including a technical knockout finish over Keith Wisniewski just last month.

He'll get his favorite type of opponent after the new year, someone who likes to stand and "Bang," as Duane Ludwig (21-11) is riding high after outperforming Nick Osipczak and Amir Sadollah in recent bouts.

Four tough competitors, two great fights.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details on the UFC on FX debut, which is part of the promotion's seven year, $100 million broadcast agreement with the FOX network, as they become available.