FOR THE FIFTH time since 2005, the UFC makes its way to Connecticut, where the Foxwoods Resort Casino will play host to UFC Fight Night 50, late Friday night.

Last week’s UFC 177 somehow managed to deliver despite Renan Barao’s withdrawl from the main event just 24 hours before the fight. Luckily, Joe Soto stepped up, and TJ Dillashaw’s first defence of his bantamweight title was an entertaining and competitive  affair, against all the odds.

Headlined by a middleweight bout between Gegard Mousasi and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’Souza, Friday’s card has so far escaped the injury hex currently plaguing the UFC and, all going according to plan, should be compelling viewing.

Who will take the rematch?

Mousasi and Souza last met in the Dream Middleweight Grand Prix final back in 2008, with former winning with an up-kick knockout in the first round. Since then, Souza, a highly decorated BJJ practitioner, has lost just once, while adding a devastating striking game to his arsenal.

Mousasi’s development has been the reverse; the Armenian-born Dutch fighter has excelled in both professional boxing and kick-boxing, all the while developing his submission game; with his constricting rear-naked choke one of his most lethal assets.

History tells us this is unlikely to go the distance, and a convincing win for either would make a serious case to the brass for a crack at the winner of the bout between champion Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort in December.

Can Alistair Overeem still be a force in the heavyweight division?

When he arrived in the UFC in 2011, Alistair Overeem was expected to bludgeon his way through what was then a fairly shallow talent pool. He certainly started well and disposed of Brock Lesnar in less than a round in his debut. But failed drug tests, accusations of assault and two straight losses-before bouncing back against Frank Mir- have largely marred his time in the promotion.

In the co-main event, he faces journeyman Ben Rothwell, whose record at the highest level is hardly awe-inspiring. He is, though, the perfect foil for Overeem to showcase his ferocious Muay Thai. Rothwell is as tough as nails, so he will trade and brawl with the Dutchman. In addition, he’s unlikely to try or be able to take Overeem down. Which all equates to the ideal match-up for all concerned.

Overeem’s pedigree and reputation is so, that if he puts away Rothwell in an impressive fashion, his next fight could be against a top 10 opponent and then, he’s right back in the mix.

Can Joe Lauzon ever break out of the middle of the pack?

If you were to offer Joe Lauzon’s career to just about any up-and-coming fighter, it’s likely he’d break your hand clean off in the blink of an eye. The Massachusetts-native has fought 16 times in the UFC over the last eight years and has been in some of the fiercest battles in recent memory, see his bloodbath with Jim Miller. He’s also joint record holder of 12 fight night bonus with Anderson Silva, so he’s bank balance is probably in rude health.

However, he’s continually faltered when facing elite competition and has never really been mentioned as a title contender. Now 30, and with a considerable amount of miles on the clock, time is running out for him to be genuine presence in the lightweight division. After defeating Mac Danzig in his last fight, he’ll square off against TUF winner Michael Chiesa on Friday, and has the chance to put together consecutive wins for the first time since 2011. It’s now or never.

Just how good is Charles Oliveira?

It’s been a little over four years since Charles Oliveria arrived in the UFC as an undefeated, baby-faced 20-year-old. Winning his first two fights via submission, it looked as though the Brazilian was destined for great things in the lightweight division.

However, straight losses to Jim Miler and Donald Cerrone saw him drop to featherweight, where he’s won four of his six fights, including his last two. Like Lauzon, he has been unable to prevail when confronted by marquee opponents. A dangerous grappler, with fluent striking, his talent is without question. But, his desire and focus are lacking, which tends to negate his physical gifts. In Nick Lentz, he takes on a grisly veteran with an admirable record, who will take advantage of any hesitation on his part. The two fought before, but it ended in a no contest, so there’s business to settle.

Can everyone make to the Octagon?

As mentioned, last Saturday hardly went off without a hitch, and the UFC have been scrambling as of late to re-arrange events as injuries have seen fighters dropping like flies. Fingers crossed the curse has been lifted.