March may not quite have come in like a lion in terms of anticipated fights – Let’s be honest, most of us initially slept through the TUF: China Finale – it will certainly not end like a lamb. We’ve got some a fight for welterweight supremacy, a hotly anticipated (but now TRT-free) rematch, and a trilogy bout, amongst other things. So now, let’s all gather around the warm, glowing, warming glow of our monitors and look at Five Fights to Watch this March, in no particular order.

Five Fights to Watch this March

1) Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio Rua II (UFC Fight Night 39, March 23rd)

With the first bout being declared a “Fight of the Year” candidate back in 2011, it’s no surprise that these two would eventually cross paths again. Neither man is even within earshot of the UFC’s light heavyweight title conversation, but they remain big enough draws that they can easily headline an event without anyone batting an eye. In discussing this fight, my colleague Allen Strk said, “Truly a pick’em fight. I’m not a buyer in Shogun being rejuvenated because of one knockout. Even though it was incredible.” He’s right, and Hendo’s not in great shape either, but because of the nature of these two behemoths, there can be no way to be certain of the outcome.

2) Robbie Lawler vs. Johny Hendricks (UFC 171, March 15th)

With the UFC’s welterweight division resembling a gang that just had it’s leader die, the struggles for power and ultimate supremacy start now. At the top of the heap – for now – we have Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks: Two hard-hitting, never-say-die fighters with a penchant for standing and banging. It will be a firefight, and for a few seconds, that cage could very well be Armageddon. Be stoked.

3) Gunnar Nelson vs. Omari Akhmedov (UFC Fight Night 38, March 8th)

One man is an undefeated Scandinavian submission ace who is under the tutelage of Renzo Gracie. The other is a Dagestani samboist. Ladies and gentlemen, what we have here is a fight that is all but guaranteed to have a crazy scramble-fest full of action. Do not be surprised if this is fight of the night.

4) Daniel Straus vs. Pat Curran III (Bellator 112, March 14th)

This trilogy bout was so anticipated that Bellator went ahead and broke their own rules to make it happen. That should give you an idea as to how excited this fight is making some people. Both their previous clashes were acclaimed, and now this final clash for Bellator’s bantamweight strap  could top them.

5) Marlon Moraes vs. Josh Rettinghouse (WSOF 9, March 29th)

When was the last time Marlon Moraes put on a disappointing fight? I can’t remember. And with him taking on Josh Rettinghouse for the inaugural WSOF Bantamweight Title, he’ll likely be even more balls to the wall than normal.