UFC 135 in Denver may feature a title fight at the top of the card, but it also includes its share of fighters who are struggling just to get back in the win column. Some get more second chances than others to turn a losing skid around, but there are at least a couple who could be looking at a win-or-go-home scenario.
Who are they, and what are their chances to stay employed after Saturday night? For answers and analysis, we turn to The Cut List.
Nate Diaz (13-7, 8-5 UFC)
Who he's facing: Takanori Gomi
Why he's in danger: Don't look now, but the younger Diaz brother has lost two straight in the UFC after being outgrappled by both Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald. There's no shame in losing to either of those beasts, but three in a row is still a dangerous place to be, so he needs this one against Gomi
Matt Hughes (45-8, 18-6 UFC)
Who he's facing: Josh Koscheck
Why he's in danger: Okay, so Hughes isn't really looking at a potential cut per se, but rather a contract that might not be renewed once this final fight is in the books. And honestly? That's not such a bad thing.
Takanori Gomi (32-7-1 NC, 1-2 UFC)
Who he's facing: Nate Diaz
Why he's in danger: Gomi managed to sandwich a knockout win over Tyson Griffin in between losses to Kenny Florian and Clay Guida, so it's not as if he's been fighting chumps since coming to the UFC.
Takeya Mizugaki (14-6-2, 1-1 UFC)
Who he's facing: Cole Escovedo
Why he's in danger: Right off I'll just say it -- Mizugaki should consider himself lucky to have made the cut when the UFC absorbed the WEC.
Cole Escovedo (17-7, 0-1 UFC)
Who he's facing: Takeya Mizugaki
Why he's in danger: Escovedo's career has been a rollercoaster ride in more ways than one. He's been up and down in weight, while also following impressive winning streaks with strings of losses.
source:mmafighting
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