This fight is a rematch of a controversial 2010 bout. In that fight, Nam Phan seemed to control the action, while Garcia responded with wild punches. But in the end, judges gave the fight to Garcia via split decision. The ending was so controversial that Dana White gave Phan the win bonus anyway. It has earned a reputation as arguably the worst decision in the history of MMA. Phan will look to right that decision here, with Garcia out to show he deserved the win.
How do these two stack up?
Garcia: 32 years old | 5'9" | 69.5" reach
Phan: 28 years old | 5'6" | 69" reach
What have these two done recently?
Garcia: L - Chan Sung Jung (Sub) | W - Nam Phan (SD) | L - Mark Hominick (SD)
Phan: L - Mike Brown (UD) | L - Leonard Garcia (SD) | W - Rodney Rhoden (Sub)
How did these two get here?
Leonard Garcia is a highly divisive fighters. His wild, sloppy brawling has earned him multiple fight of the night honors, with his crazy brawl with "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung being called the best fight of 2010 by some. He's a former title challenger in the WEC, who is 6-6-1 in the UFC and WEC combined, but many of those fights were razor thin decision that could have gone either way.
Nam Phan came into the 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter as one of the most traveled and accomplished veterans, possessing experience in Strikeforce and Sengoku among others. Phan lost in the Ultimate Fighter semi-finals via a once again controversial split decision to Michael Johnson. Since then, he's 0-2 in the UFC with the Garcia loss and a loss to Mike Brown. Phan is a fighter who could be doing much better, but things seem to not fall his way, and he could be looking at a departure from the UFC with a loss here.
Why should you care?
That depends on your views on Garcia. If you like his style, then he's likely to deliver another crazy, fun brawl with Fight of the Night possibilities. If you're not a fan, then tune in to see Phan seek vindication for all those robberies.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 136 after the jump.
UFC 136 Judo Chop: The Striking of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 136 Preview - Melvin Guillard Gunning for Knockout Bonus - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136 Video - Bruce Buffer: 'You Can't Announce the Way I Announce If You're Not Into It' - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Weigh-In Video and Results - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Video: Frankie Edgar Says Belt Proves He Belongs at Lightweight - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Bloody Elbow Staff Predictions
UFC 136 Preview: Melvin Guillard Says Joe Lauzon Folds Under Pressure - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen Denies Gameplanning for Brian Stann - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Frankie Edgar Talks Gray Maynard, Jose Aldo - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon Dissection - Dallas Winston
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 87: UFC 136 Preview
UFC 136: Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Time Aplenty for Chael Sonnen Despite Competition for Contention - Leland Roling
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 136: Spike TV Preliminary Card Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Did Promotion Need More Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann? - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Jose Aldo's Second Chance to Destroy Foolish Assumptions - Leland Roling
UFC 136: A Running Diary of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II - Mike Fagan
UFC 136 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video and Updates - Tim Burke
UFC State of the Union: UFC 136 and the Lightweight Division - Fraser Coffeen
Countdown to UFC 136 Video
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard's Continuing Quest for a Title Shot - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Preview: Looking Back at Edgar vs. Maynard 2 Highlights and Reaction - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Facebook Undercard Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Dana White Video Blog, Day 1