During a month loaded with important MMA, here are 10 bouts that stand out for more than just compelling matchmaking:

Herewith five things we learned from Saturday night's WEC 47 in Columbus, Ohio:

Dominick Cruz doesn't do negative. It would have been too easy. And he doesn't do that either.

What do you get when half of of the 10 best bantamweights in mixed martial arts appear on the same card? A couple things. The obvious response this week is WEC 47, which takes place Saturday evening in Columbus, Ohio. The more pertinent answer, though, is a compelling start to a tremendous stretch of fights that should last through at least May.

In his autobiography penned with Sherdog.com news editor Loretta Hunt, Randy Couture revealed that he received an offer from the UFC in 2006 to fight two-division champion boxer James Toney. Four years later, Toney has finally signed with the UFC, reigniting the possibility of a bout with Couture.

With the latest Strikeforce Challengers card hours away, many loyal SI.com readers decided to chime in with their thoughts and questions. Lets go to the mail- and Twitter-bags, shall we?

On its own, an elevated pulse near a fight isn't terribly revealing. Pumping adrenaline, pressure, TV cameras, the willingness to care. These things should lead to a dancing heart.

At the end of another scorching Australian summer, the last thing Elvis Sinosic expected would freeze was his shoulder.

SI.com's resident MMA guru Josh Gross offers up Five Things We Learned from UFC 110 at Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira says he's ready for one more run at a major title. Sunday in Sydney, Nogueira, the 33-year-old Brazilian great, faces a crucial test that should determine the course and legitimacy of that path.