With a top contender position in the UFC's light-heavyweight division on the line tonight, the showdown between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ryan Bader should provide some great action between two men hungry for a chance at the title.

Nogueira (19-3), the slightly younger twin brother of noted heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, got off to a hot start in the UFC with a first-round TKO against Luiz Cane at UFC 106. His next fight, against Jason Brilz at UFC 114, didn't go nearly as well, as Nogueira barely managed to come out on top of a split decision. Nogueira will be hoping to build on his formidable resume with a win over Bader tonight, a victory that would propel him into the top ranks of the light-heavyweight division.

Bader (12-0) will be looking to make 13 his lucky number against the most dangerous opponent he has faced to date. Bader emerged as the champion of The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 with an impressive first-round TKO of Vinny Magalhaes, and has never looked back as he has rolled on to four straight Octagon wins. Bader's most recent performance was a knockout win over Keith Jardine at UFC 110 in Australia, and a win over Nogueira would position him firmly for a title run.

Tatame.com interviewed other top Brazilian fighters about their expectations for the fight tonight between Nogueira and Bader, and although they chose their countryman Nogueira to win, their comments revealed a deep respect for his opponent.

"I'm going with Rogério and, as far as I'm concerned, he's looking good," said Demian Maia. "Bader is a guy who has dangerous power punches and has great takedowns, but I don't think it'll be a problem for Rogério because he has a good guard, and his boxing is Olympic Boxing. I think that, if he's in good shape, he'll win."

Nogueira's brother Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who coached Bader on The Ultimate Fighter and knows both men's style well, expects a tough fight for his sibling.

"It'll be a great fight, man," Rodrigo Nogueira stated. "Coincidentally it'll be against a guy I trained with for three or four months during the reality show of UFC. He's (Bader's) very explosive and talented, and has improved his stand-up game, but I'm excited for Rogério, he's very focused, training well. He's (Rogerio's) training for this fight like he trained to confront (Vladimir) Matyushenko, he's focused... He knows it's his shot to get the title fight. He (Bader) has a strong right-handed punch, is explosive, has timing, but Rogério handles it better than him. Ryan is a good wrestler, but his ground and pound is not that good. So on the ground and pound he's not that dangerous to Rogério, but he has that wrestler's timing, although Rogério is better than him on the exchange and has a good counter-attack. He (Bader) has a good takedown, but on the ground Rogério is better".

Regardless of who wins tonight, they are likely to next face fast-rising star Jon Jones (11-1) for the right to challenge for UFC gold.

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 119 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!