UFC Fight Night 20

The long-rumored next installment of the UFC Fight Night series is set for the Patriot Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. UFC Fight Night 20 takes place Monday January 11th.

As previously reported, the event features a headliner between lightweight contenders Gray Maynard (8-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and Nate Diaz (11-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC). Additionally, a bout between Efrain Escudero (12-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and fellow undefeated lightweight Evan Dunham (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has been tapped as the night's official co-main event.

Maynard, who could earn a title shot with a win, recently moved to 8-0 and picked up his sixth straight UFC victory with a split-decision win over Roger Huerta in September. The former Michigan State wrestler actually first fought Diaz on "TUF 5," where he suffered a submission loss in the competition's semifinal round. It's been all domination since then; after a bizarre no-contest with Rob Emerson at the show's live finale (after what was deemed an unofficial double-TKO caused by a Maynard slam), "The Bully" has posted six straight victories, though the past five have come via decision.
Diaz, meanwhile, looks to build off his recent victory over Melvin Guillard in the main event of UFC Fight Night 19. After defeating Manny Gamburyan to win "TUF 5," Diaz ran his win streak to five (with wins over notables Kurt Pellegrino and Josh Neer) to enter the UFC's lightweight title picture. His championship aspirations, though, took a hit with subsequent back-to-back losses to Clay Guida (split decision) and Joe Stevenson (unanimous decision). Even during the losses, Diaz cashed in. He's won one of the UFC's official "fight night" bonuses in a staggering five straight fights with three Fight of the Night bonuses and two Submission of the Night awards. The bonuses have amounted to an extra $170,000 in pay.

Escudero, meanwhile, remains undefeated 12 fights into his MMA career. After upsetting Phillipe Nover in December 2008 to win the "TUF 8" title, Escudero earned the first TKO of his career by halting Cole Miller in the first round of UFC in December. His opponent, Dunham, made his UFC debut earlier this year and upset Per Eklund as a late replacement at UFC 95. Dunham followed that performance with a hard-fought split-decision win over Marcus Aurelio at UFC 102 in August.

The latest rumored UFC Fight Night 20 card includes:
-Nate Diaz vs. Gray Maynard
-Evan Dunham vs. Efrain Escudero
-Chris Leben vs. Jay Silva*
-Nik Lentz vs. Jeremy Stephens*
-Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson*
-Kyle Bradley vs. Rafael dos Anjos*
-Jesse Lennox vs. Rick Story*
-Nick Catone vs. Steve Steinbeiss*
-Mike Guymon vs. Rory MacDonald*
* - Not officially announced