The Bantamweight division is in a bit of a corner right now. Dominick Cruz is dangerously close to having cleaned out the division, and the UFC has not yet built any new challengers for him. This fight has earned a main card slot partly by default after the St. Pierre vs. Condit cancellation, but it is a real opportunity for both men and the division. A big, exciting fight will add some esteem to the 135 pounders, and possibly propel the winner into quick title contention.
How do these two stack up?
Jorgensen: 29 years old | 5'4" | 66" reach
Curran: 34 years old | 5'6" | 69" reach
What have these two done recently?
Jorgensen: W - Ken Stone (KO) | L - Dominick Cruz (UD) | W - Brad Pickett (UD)
Curran: W - Billy Vaughn (UD) | W - David Love (UD) | L - Bryan Goldsby (UD)
How did these two get here?
Jorgensen has the distinction of being the last man to challenge for the WEC Bantamweight title before it was absorbed into the UFC. That fight was a typical Cruz victory, with the champion doing his thing and earning a decision over Jorgensen. Although he lost to Cruz, Jorgensen is still a highly regarded BW on a 6-1 run. Over the past two years, he's really found his groove and is performing excellently every time out. The former NCAA Division I wrestler holds wins over some top fighters in the division, but the fact that he is so recently removed from the Cruz loss makes a title shot for him a tough sell.
Jeff "Big Frog" Curran is a near 14 year veteran of the sport, with roughly 50 pro fights to his name. The popular Midwest fighter has competed all over. UFC, Strikeforce, Pride, Bellator, WEC, IFL... all have played home to Curran at one time. His highest profile run came in the WEC in 2007-2009 when he challenged Urijah Faber for the Featherweight title. He dropped down to Bantamweight and dropped 4 in a row before leaving the WEC, and has gone 4-1 since. Curran is the kind of veteran that always poses a challenge, but at 34 years old and 14 years into his career, this run may be coming too late. A win over Jorgensen would be huge for him and would be his biggest win since at least 2006.
Why should you care?
Even if you don't know either man well, the Bantamweights always deliver. This is a definite front-runner for Fight of the Night, and a welcome chance to see the Bantamweights on the main card.
More UFC 137 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
UFC 137 Weigh In Video: BJ Penn and Nick Diaz Almost Come To Blows - Matthew Roth
UFC 137: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137 Penn vs Diaz: Staff Predictions
UFC 137 Weigh-In Video and Results - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137: Scott Jorgensen vs. Jeff Curran Dissection - Dallas Winston
Judo Chop: B.J. Penn's Back Control - Ben Thapa
UFC 137: The Sober Reality of Nick Diaz's Continued Presence in MMA - Leland Roling
UFC 137: Dana White Video Blog, Part 2 - Matthew Roth
Judo Chop: Nick Diaz's Ground Game - Ben Thapa
UFC 137: George Roop vs. Hatsu Hioki Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137 Striking Breakdown: Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 137 Press Conference Recap: Jon Anik to Broadcast Booth, UFC on Fox Undercard on Facebook and Fox.com - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 137 Video: B.J. Penn Challenges Cesar Gracie, Admits to Being 'Hookwinked' By Him - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Roy Nelson 'I'd Have to Cut Off A Leg To Make 205' - Matthew Roth
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 92: UFC 137 Preview - Matt Bishop
UFC 137 Video: Nick Diaz Goes In-Depth About Press Conference Fiasco, Not Loving Fighting - Tim Burke
UFC 137: The Card That Could Have Been and the PPV Repercussions - Matthew Roth
UFC 137 Video: B.J. Penn Talks Fighting Nick Diaz and Future Title Shots - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 137: B.J. Penn Explains Lack of Hype for Nick Diaz Fight - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 137: Nick Diaz Wishes He'd Stuck to Boxing Plans - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 137: George Roop Discusses Bout With Hatsu Hioki, Death of Shawn Tompkins - Tim Burke
UFC 137 Video: Danny Downes Fighter Diary In Preparation for Ramsey Nijem - Anton Tabuena
UFC 137: Tyson Griffin vs. Bart Palaszewski Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz Countdown Video - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137: Matt Mitrione's Rapid Rise the Exception, Not the Rule - Leland Roling
UFC 137 Roundtable: Analyzing Nick Diaz's Chances Against B.J. Penn
UFC 137: Nick Diaz Discusses Looking Up to B.J. Penn, Gameplanning - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Breaking Down the Striking of Matt Mitrione - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 137: B.J. Penn Not Offended By Nick Diaz At All - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz - Best Bets for Fight of the Night - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 137: Donald Cerrone's Unlikely Run May Land Him in Title Contention - Leland Roling
UFC 137: Facebook Card Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 137: Dana White Video Blog, Part 1 - Tim Burke
UFC 137: Cesar Gracie - If Nick Diaz Finishes B.J. Penn, He Should Get GSP Next - Tim Burke
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