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After a less than stellar undercard, UFC on FOX 3 delivered big time on a big network. While ratings may not have lived up to the hype, those of us who watched some some fantastic fights, and hopefully, new fans were gained in the process. I’m sitting in a cafe right now using free wi-fi, so I’m just going to get straight to business and take a look at what’s next for the stars of UFC on FOX 3.

-Nate Diaz earned a shot at the title last night after becoming the first man to ever finish Jim Miller. He did so in impressive fashion, and it’s hard to deny that he’s one of the most legitimately dangerous fighters at 155. While a bout with Anthony Pettis is being called for amongst the masses, it’d likely be in Nate’s best interest to wait for his shot at the 155 crown.

-You can’t take too much away from Jim Miller, he did what he could, but Nate was just too much for him. His wrestling is good, his BJJ is amazing, but perhaps he needs to tighten up that striking? I wouldn’t mind seeing him against Donald Cerrone or Jeremy Stephens.

-Johny Hendricks is up there in the welterweight division, and he might as well get a title shot at this point, having defeated both Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck. With the division in limbo currently, he should fight the winner of Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann to determine who the true #1 contender is.

-Alan Belcher is a bad man. Despite his detractors, “The Talent” proved how serious of a threat he is in the middleweight division. With the Bisping/Boetsch winner likely to face Anderson Silva after he beats Chael Sonnen, Belcher should face the winner of Weidman/Munoz, determining who fights for the belt in 2013.

-Lavar Johnson basically murdered Pat Barry. Line up another heavyweight, and we’ll see if he can knock ‘em down. I don’t have any ideal opponents for him, just give him a better wrestler, he needs to be tested.

I was also impressed by

-Michael Johnson, who I have often doubted. He came through big time, and it appears if anyone is benefiting from training with the Blackzilians, it’s him.

-John Dodson may have not had his best performance, but he’s still a flyweight to look out for in the near future.

-John Hathaway, who I had doubted and proclaimed “underwhelmed me”, proved me wrong. He has much more potential than I ever gave him credit for.

-Louis Gaudinot really impressed me as well. The green-haired 125er should be put up against John Dodson, as that would be an amazing fight.

UFC on FOX 3 video highlights of the four main card bouts — Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller, Johny Hendricks vs. Josh Koscheck, Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares, Lavar Johnson vs. Pat Barry — via FoxSports.com.

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A total of 10 fighters from Saturday night’s UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller card were handed indefinite suspensions by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. In all, 14 fighters from the event were given a suspension of some kind.

Co-main event fighters Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck were each handed indefinite suspensions following their grueling three-round slugfest. Hendricks for his right eye that was poked early in the fight, and Koscheck for the swelling he suffered on his own face around the eye region.

Other fighters given indefinite suspensions that will need clearance include Alan Belcher, Lavar Johnson, Tony Ferguson, John Dodson, Pascal Krauss, Louis Gaudinot, Danny Castillo and Nick Denis.

Rousimar Palhares, Pat Barry and John Lineker each have 30-day suspensions, while Dennis Bermudez faces 60 days.

UFC ON FOX: DIAZ VS. MILLER MEDICAL SUSPENSIONS

• Johny Hendricks suspended indefinitely pending opthalmological exam (right eye)

• Josh Koscheck suspended indefinitely pending CT of facial bones

• Alan Belcher suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of right hand

• Lavar Johnson suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of left hand

• Tony Ferguson suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of left forearm

• John Dodson suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of left hand

• Pascal Krauss suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of right foot

• Louis Gaudinot suspended indefinitely pending X-rays of both left and right hands and 30 days for tough fight

• Danny Castillo suspended indefinitely pending X-ray of right hand

• Nick Denis suspended indefinitely pending CT facial (orbits) and CT of head and suspended 30 days for tough fight

• Rousimar Palhares suspended 30 days for TKO loss

• Pat Barry suspended 30 days for TKO loss

• John Lineker suspended 30 days for submission loss

• Dennis Bermudez suspended 60 days for facial laceration healing

Lavar Johnson has made a sudden-impact in his first two UFC appearances. First, the former Strikeforce heavyweight stopped Joey Beltran.

Saturday night, Johnson handed it to Pat Barry, showering him with a constant barrage of lefts and rights to record another victory.

Johnson is now 17-5 overall in his career thanks to the first round victory over “HD.” Johnson discussed the fight with Barry on the post-UFC on FOX 3 show on FUEL TV.

He was so far away I didn’t think he could shoot on me. We got into a scramble and he started attacking my legs. The whole time I knew exactly where he was hitting. Every so often he had to protect his guard and then it was time to finish him. And it was time to prove to the UFC and all those people out there that I am good on the ground. I am a black belt.

Johnson added that he feels like he is ready for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title but that the UFC, “kind of shrugged me off.” He did say that he believes he’s, “in my prime and mentally I am ready for the biggest fight. I’m ready tomorrow.”

Maybe the UFC will take Johnson up on that offer if anything happens to one of the many heavyweights set to compete later this month at UFC 146.

Photo credit: CombatLifestyle.com

MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani caught up with Nate Diaz, Johny Hendricks, Alan Belcher, Lavar Johnson, John Dodson, Louis Gaudinot, Dennis Bermudez, John Hathaway and Roland Delorme to talk about their wins at UFC on FOX 3.

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UFC President Dana White announced during the post-fight press conference who the bonus recipients following tonight’s UFC on FOX 3 event were.

Fight of the Night: Louis Gaudinot and John Lineker

Knockout of the Night: Lavar Johnson

Submission of the Night: Nate Diaz

Each of these four fighters will receive a $65,000 bonus for their efforts.

Stick with MMAConvert for more coverage from UFC on FOX 3

UFC on FOX 3 takes place later tonight at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event airs live on FOX at 8pm ET/7pm CT. The prelims will precede the FOX broadcast at 4pm ET on Facebook and 5pm ET on FX.

In the main event, lightweights Jim Miller and Nate Diaz clash in a potential title eliminator bout.

In another potential title eliminator, fast-rising welterweight Johny Hendricks takes on Josh Koscheck.

Rousimar Palhares looks to collect another limb as he faces the always tenacious Alan Belcher.

And opening the night, heavy handed heavyweights Lavar Johnson and Pat Barry look to send each other astral traveling.

Results and recap after the jump.

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Here is my breakdown of the main card. Feel free to argue with me or give me a confidence boost in the comment section below. The main card, of course, goes down tonight at 8pm ET on FOX.

-Lavar Johnson (16-5) vs. Pat Barry (7-4)

It’s nap time for somebody. The UFC makes a smart decision by putting two of the most violently heavy-handed fellas on the main card of this event. I had a hard time picking this fight, and an even harder time trying to bet on it. I would recommend staying away from this fight in terms of betting. I think Barry should win this, but don’t be surprised if it goes the other way, Johnson hits hard.

-Rousimar Palhares (14-3) vs. Alan Belcher (17-6)

I’m going to get a lot of flack for this, I’m sure, but I’m having a hard time finding a seat on the Rousimar Palhares hype train. Sure he has some violent leglocks, and I’m a leglock man, for sure, but he lacks skills in other facets, and he got hurt by Dan Miller, seriously. Belcher is a BJJ black belt, an awesome striker, and overall a better fighter. I think Palhares gets crazy and makes many mistakes. Composure wins this fight for Alan Belcher.

-Josh Koscheck (17-5) vs. Johny Hendricks (12-1)

Hendricks isn’t going to knock out Josh Koscheck. Kos is smart and knows to avoid the power. Josh Koscheck is not going to outwrestle Johny Hendricks. Hendricks is arguably a better wrestler, and will stiffle most, if not all, ground attacks. So what we have is two tentative guys trying to outstrike each other, with the occasional sequence on the ground. It ain’t going to be pretty, but Johny Hendricks is taking home a decision.

-Nate Diaz (15-7) vs. Jim Miller (21-3)

Nate Diaz looks to bring home a title shot to the 209. The younger, less troublesome Diaz brother is on the cusp of a title shot, and has long been one of the best lightweights in the UFC. Coming into his stride as of late, Diaz is looking better and better every time he steps into the cage. He takes on Jim Miller, who is arguably a top 5 fighter in the lightweight division, and has been in the top 10 for a long, long time. While he won’t be receiving a title shot with a win here, he will be closer to what he rightfully deserves, and I think he’ll get it. Miller is smart, and although Diaz will do his best to overwhelm him with strikes, his grappling acumen won’t be so overwhelming as it is for others. Miller will wrestle Nate to the ground, and put a hurting on him. The later rounds will be interesting, but this is going 25 minutes, and Jim Miller is winning at home.

Saturday night’s third event on FOX by the UFC is now official, as the weigh-ins took place Friday afternoon. UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller will feature a main event between lightweights Nate Diaz and Jim Miller.

Both fighters made the mark for their bout, with Diaz coming in at 156 pounds and Miller at 156. A future opportunity at UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson could be on the line for the winner.

In the co-main event, welterweights Josh Koscheck and Johny Hendricks will tangle. Other main card bouts include Rousimar Palhares vs. Alan Belcher and Pat Barry vs. Lavar Johnson. Hendricks has also been discussed as a potential UFC welterweight title contender if he can get by Koscheck.

Action will take place from East Rutherford, New Jersey and the IZOD Center.

UFC ON FOX: DIAZ VS. MILLER WEIGH-IN RESULTS

Main Card (FOX)

Nate Diaz (156 lbs.) vs. Jim Miller (156 lbs.)

Josh Koscheck (170.5 lbs.) vs. Johny Hendricks (171 lbs.)

Rousimar Palhares (186 lbs.) vs. Alan Belcher (186 lbs.)

Pat Barry (244 lbs.) vs. Lavar Johnson (253 lbs.)

Prelim Card (FUEL TV)

Tony Ferguson (154.5 lbs.) vs. Michael Johnson (156 lbs.)

John Dodson (126 lbs.) vs. Tim Elliott (125 lbs.)

John Hathaway (169 lbs.) vs. Pascal Krauss (169 lbs.)

Louis Gaudinot (126 lbs.) vs. John Lineker (127 lbs.)$

Danny Castillo (155 lbs.) vs. John Cholish (155.5 lbs.)

Dennis Bermudez (145.5 lbs.) vs. Pablo Garza (145 lbs.)

Roland Delorme (135 lbs.) vs. Nick Denis (135 lbs.)*

Mike Massenzio (184 lbs.) vs. Karlos Vemola (185 lbs.)*

*Bouts to stream live on Facebook only
$Lineker has two hours to lose an additional pound

More UFC on FOX 3 weigh-in photos at CombatLifestyle.com. Video via MMA Fighting.

Jim Miller and Nate Diaz will compete in a very important UFC lightweight match Saturday night in the main event of UFC on FOX 3. Along with UFC president Dana White, Miller, Diaz, Josh Koscheck and Johny Hendricks and others all took part in the pre-fight press conference on Thursday.

- White changed his tune in regards to Diaz receiving a title shot with a win, saying he’d have to be on the sidelines for nine months. White added, “We’ll have to wait and see.”

- Koscheck says the fans don’t bother him adding, “Why would I let a bunch of couch potatoes and internet nerds get to me?”

- Diaz says his older brother, Nick, is pretty much his MMA coach and that’s why they share the same styles.

- Diaz says “I don’t hate the media. Sometimes I’m in a better mood for it.”

- When asked how you cure sore muscles, Koscheck responds “Massage,” while Pat Barry says “Drugs.” Guessing White wasn’t too happy with that.

- White says MMA is coming to New York soon, and that the UFC is planning a big event for next year – likely January – at Vegas, Cowboy Stadium or Toronto.

More of Esther Lin’s UFC on FOX 3 press conference photos at MMA Fighting