Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns for a second straight weekend of free mixed martial arts (MMA) action, coming to you live on FOX Sports 1 from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
UFC Fight Night 68 will be headlined this Saturday night (June 6, 2015) by a Middleweight affair that pits two slumping fighters against each other as Tim Boetsch battles Dan Henderson.
But, that's not all.
The co-main event of the evening will feature a pivotal Heavyweight slugfest between two streaking fighters in Matt Mitrione and Ben Rothwell. Both "Big Ben" and "Meathead" have a combined five straight victories by knockout, so don't expect this fight to last very long.
With a legend potentially gracing the Octagon one last time and two heavyweight veterans hoping to break into the division's Top 5 (see them here), let's take a glimpse into the future and predict what a win could mean for the fighters facing off in the night's premiere bouts.
Dan Henderson
I already argued my point why Dan Henderson should no longer be fighting, and whether his desire to battle on is driven by money, allure, or simply the need to end his career with a victory, I sure hope Saturday night is the last time "Hendo" steps into the cage.
The former Strikeforce champ has struggled immensely since he returned to UFC back in November 2011. In seven fights since, the MMA legend is 2-5, with his only victories coming against Shogun Rua.
The 44 year old who was once lauded for having an iron chin has subsequently been finished in three straight losses, and has been hurt multiple times in his last five bouts.
After getting blown out by Gegard Mousasi in just 70 seconds this past January, UFC brass has somehow allowed "Hendo" to return for his swan song against a much easier opponent in Tim Boetsch.
The issue is that Henderson simply doesn't have the chin he once had, and while "The Barbarian" is no world beater, he absolutely has the power to close the lights out on the former two-division PRIDE champion.
I don't suspect "Hendo" to win on Saturday night, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't rooting for him to pick up one last victory and head into the sunset for good.
Win or lose, hopefully the Olympian opts to retire in similar vein to Mark Munoz, leaving his gloves inside the Octagon as his final moment in a sport he helped create, build, and legitimize.
Cheers to a future Hall of Famer, and good luck in Louisiana.
Tim Boetsch
Tim Boetsch has the uneviable position of fighting a 44-year old man who has no business competing at the top-level of MMA anymore.
Saturday night is truly a lose-lose situation for "The Barbarian."
Say Boetsch finishes Henderson in violent fashion, likely ending "Hendo's" career for good in the process; Is that really a position any MMA fighter wants to be put in?
A huge portion of current MMA fighters lionized Henderson as their hero and role model as they attempted to carve their path in this niche sport, and you have to believe that no one is exactly lining up to finish off Henderson once and for all.
Of course, on the other hand, Boetsch can find himself on the losing end of a fight he should absolutely win, thus forever being remembered as "Hendo's" final victim in a Hall of Fame career.
I guess we will just have to see how it all plays out on Saturday night.
Matt Mitrione
This may surprise you, but Matt Mitrione is actually older than Ben Rothwell, and at 36, the former NFL player needs to stay active in order to capture an elusive UFC title shot before it is too late.
"Meathead" has come a long way from his time on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 10, and following three straight victories via knockout, the 13th ranked heavyweight could find himself in the top five with a victory in Louisiana.
With Andrei Arlovski and Stipe Miocic both coming off big victories recently -- not to mention Alistair Overeem and Junior Dos Santos -- Mitrione needs an impressive performance at UFC Fight Night 68 in order to convince UFC brass that he is next in line for a shot at UFC gold.
In my opinion, Mitrione is still two fights away from a title shot regardless, but crazier things have happened than a fan-favorite heavyweight leapfrogging more quality competition to fight for the belt.
If Mitrione wins via stoppage this weekend, he could very well fight for the belt next.
The more likely scenario, however, would be to match Mitrione up against either Miocic or Arlovski next, with the remaining fighter battling the winner of the UFC 188 title fight between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum (more on that fight here).
Ben Rothwell
"Big Ben" is currently ranked No. 9 in the heavyweight division, and defeating Matt Mitrione this weekend will all but guarantee him a spot in the top five.
Rothwell is fighting for the exact same spot Mitrione is this weekend, which makes this fight the most intriguing bout in Louisiana.
Rothwell has won two straight fights via knockout, putting together his first winning streak inside the Octagon in seven tries.
I strongly believe that either Arlovski or Miocic will be fighting for UFC gold next -- unless Fabricio Werdum defeats Cain Velasquez at UFC 188, setting up a rematch against Junior Dos Santos -- so I expect Rothwell would fight whoever is leftover.
Ultimately, I suspect Dos Santos to tangle with Overeem, Arlovski to get the title shot, and either Mitrione or Rothwell to fight Miocic next.
The heavyweight division is just about as fun as it has been in years, so sit back and enjoy the show this Saturday night.
For more information on UFC Fight Night 68, including the full fight card, results, news, and more, click here.