UFC 142 fight card: Previews, predictions and a complete guide to 'Aldo vs Mendes'

For fans of mixed martial arts, this past week has been a slow crawl of steadily rising anticipation for tonight's "Aldo vs. Mendes" event, going down at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

UFC 142 will feature a featherweight championship showdown pitting current titleholder Jose Aldo putting his strap on the line against rising contender and powerful American wrestler Chad Mendes.

In the co-main event of the evening, Vitor Belfort will try to slay the beast that is Anthony Johnson. And when I say beast, I mean that literally, as "Rumble" weighed in today at a whopping 204-pounds for this contest, which was supposed to be a middleweight affair.

It's been a flurry of non-stop news, analysis, quotes, predictions and previews for the past week and it's certainly understandable if you missed out on a few stories.

But don't worry, Maniacs, we've got you covered.

In cased you missed any or all of it — or just want to keep the discussion alive — below are links to all the major storylines heading into tonight's broadcast.

In we go:

UFC 142: "Aldo vs. Mendes"

Fight card and line-up

Results and live fight coverage

UFC 142 predictions and previews:

Predictions from the myth himself, Nostradumbass

"Prelims" preview and predictions part one

"Prelims" preview and predictions part two

Fight preview: Erick Silva vs. Carlo Prater

Fight preview: Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio

Fight preview: Edson Barboza vs. Terry Etim

Fight preview: Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson

Fight preview: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

UFC 142 press conferences:

Pre-fight press conference

Press conference video

Press conference staredown pics

UFC 142 weigh-ins:

Weigh-in results

Weigh-in video

Weigh-in staredown pics

Weigh-in photos gallery

Anthony Johnson badly misses weight

Dana White issues statement on Anthony Johnson missing weight

Anthony Johnson was ordered by doctors to take fluid after becoming ill cutting weight

Anthony Johnson laughs at critics after he nearly kills himself but misses weight anyway

Anthony Johnson weighs in under 205-pounds to make fight a go

UFC 142 news:

How to watch the event

Event poster

Conference call live blog

Open workouts photos gallery

Complete statistical breakdown of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes

XBox Live streams UFC 142 for free to fans stiffed out of UFC 141 promotion

Arianny Celeste and Chandella Powell bust out bikinis in Brazil

UFC 142 editorials:

UFC 142 reminds us that too much of a good thing isn't such a good thing

Jose Aldo is the featherweight Anderson Silva

Chad Mendes doesn't care who Jose Aldo trains with, his wrestling is better

Chad Mendes sticking to wrestling roots ahead of Jose Aldo showdown

Chad Mendes is explosive and powerful and likes to blast guys off their feet

Vitor Belfort is going to get knocked out and submitted all at the same time

Gabriel Gonzaga can still compete with the best in the sport

UFC 142 videos:

Dana White video blog episode one

Dana White video blog episode two

Countdown to UFC 142

Extended UFC 142 video preview

Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes fight preview

Jose Aldo training with Gray Maynard for Chad Mendes fight

Vitor Belfort road to UFC 142 episode one

Vitor Belfort road to UFC 142 episode two

Vitor Belfort road to UFC 142 episode three

Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio fight talk

That, my friends, should be enough to keep you talking -- at least for the time being.

What has been the biggest story heading into this event? Anthony Johnson and his inability to cut the necessary weight? The fact that he may be cut because of it? Something else?

Sound off, Maniacs.