The UFC 103 card isn’t the greatest in the world, but I think I’ll be shelling out the cash just to see how Vitor Belfort does against a real opponent.

That is sort of a theme in the only two fights that really matter on this card as Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic takes on Junior Dos Santos as well.

Will we see the Vitor Belfort that was dubbed "The Phenom" and destroyed competition? Or will we see a Belfort that has struggled against elite fighters? If Belfort is sharp and impressive, he could be an intriguing player in the middleweight scene, especially since Anderson Silva has no real threat at that weight outside of Dan Henderson (possibly).

A Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva title fight could be huge, but only if Belfort is at the top of his game.

That’s what makes this fight with Rich Franklin so intriguing. Franklin is very good on his feet as well and is coming off a terrific win over Wanderlei Silva. It’s impossible not to like Franklin, who has only lost to three fighters in his career (two if you don’t count the miserable Henderson split-decision). The guy never complains even as the UFC uses him as the company’s ambassador to new cities and countries.

He expressed a desire to fight at light heavyweight and make a run at the title there, but hasn’t complained about fighting Saturday and against Wanderlei Silva at a catch weight of 195.

More than winning another title, Franklin just wants to put on a good show for the fans in good fights. That’s why I know this UFC 103 main event will be a good one.

As for Cro Cop, if he destroys Dos Santos, does that throw him in the mix for Brock Lesnar? I’m still not sure if we will ever see the Cro Cop that the UFC thought they signed when he first came to the organization, but I’m curious as hell to see if that Cro Cop still exists somewhere.

I know injuries have hurt the card, but it should still be a decent show. Anyone else excited for Franklin-Belfort?