UFC Live on Versus 6: Watch and learn

photo via ESPN.com

The UFC's next stop in America's capital brings an exciting title bout between Dimitrius Johnson and Dominick Cruz. Despite the immense talent on this card the hype for today's event seems to be slightly drowned out. The UFC has gotten to a point where they have been able to constantly promote and produce top-level events with great success. UFC 135 had everyone talking about the feud between the legend and the champion. UFC 136 has two title bouts on the same card followed by a another fight that may as well be a third championship bout with Brian Stann and Chael Sonnen. Finally after all that is the UFC's FOX highly anticipated debut with the Heavyweight Championship. 

Free televised shows are losing pizzazz, but why? 

The UFC has had a year of memorable fights and exciting moments many of which occurred on televised shows. Diego Sanchez's brawling victory over Martin Kampman brought some welterweight buzz. Tony Ferguson's finishing touch on The Ultimate Fighter's 13th season was a knockout people were talking about. And of course Pat Barry's roller coaster ride of a fight with Cheick Kongo was one of the most surprising and unforgettable knockouts in UFC history. The free cards have the bad habit of being counted out before they begin but for what reason? They continue to produce sometimes more buzz than the Pay Per View events, which is completely reasonable given the monstrous talent pool in this world-class organization.

Dominick Cruz is the face of a developing new weight class in the UFC. There is now as always tons of attention given to the championship contention in the original five weight classes but the real pioneers of today's MMA are the lighter weight fighters. Even after almost a year of the little guys having been part of Dana White's promotion they are still developing. A five round battle that was reminiscent of the TUF 1 finale put on a show for UFC 132's main event as Faber and Cruz had an absolute war in their long awaited rematch. The same champion who defended his title then is now facing an even faster 135 pounder. 

Anyone who has seen "Mighty Mouse" fight knows that slow-motion replays are often the best way to understand what has happened. His footwork, striking and wrestling are all lighting fast making him a blurry target. He was part of a grappling clinic in his fight with Miguel Angle Torres, and survived countless submissions. The elusive, strong and a really small Johnson is a perfect matchup for Dominick Cruz who has unorthodox standup and head movement. This fight is guaranteed excitement even if it goes the distance.

The always exciting and freakishly powerful Pat Barry squares off with the Dutch heavyweight Stefan Struve in what may be one of the biggest size differences ever in a fight.  The two kick-boxers have very different styles and everyone is eager to see what each guy has planned to compensate for the difference in height. Struve who has always used his reach and height to his best advantage will have to figure out a counter for the low and high kicks of the forceful Barry. "HD" is coming off his first career knockout loss and is looking to get back into the win column. This main event worthy matchup will give the bantamweights a run for their money for Fight of the Night.

A guy who is said to cut from over 220 down to the dehydrated and unhealthy number of 170 pounds will take on the newest contender in the welterweight division.  Charlie Brenneman said, "Rick who?" after he derailed the hype train of Rick Story when he stepped in for Nate Marquardt and pulled the upset. I for one thought Story would have no problem with the undersized Brenneman as he was just coming off an impressive win over Thiago Alves only two weeks earlier, but "The Spaniard" had different plans. He proved that he won't back down from any challenge and he presents an interesting wrestling attack for the light heavyweight. I mean welterweight. Will Johnson use his size, and try to weigh on Brenneman, or will he decide to keep the fight a striking battle? Or will he even have a choice of where the fight goes? I expect to see a fast pace fight as Johnson's weight cut hasn't been a factor in his recent fights and Brenneman is a spark plug. It is important to remember that Rick Story is one of the strongest men at 170 pounds in the UFC and he was completely outwrestled by Brenneman. 

Can Pat Barry chop down the 6'11" Struve even though they are (almost oddly) friendly leading up to the fight? Will the Dominator be thrown off by the Mighty Mouse's quickness and little cute face? Will Anthony Johnson look like a 205 pounder against the always-smaller Charlie Brenneman? If you want answers then swallow your assumptions about free cards, get some snacks, then turn on the Versus channel at 6pm ET tonight. It's on the house.