Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

One comes with the reputation of a finisher, the other comes with the reputation of one that can’t be finished.

So when Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta get together in the UFC octagon on Saturday night at Minneapolis’ Target Center, something’s got to give, right?

While George St. Pierre and Jon Fitch headline UFC 87 in Minneapolis, Minn., this weekend, many fans are just as excited to see the lightweight battle between two fighters vying for the No. 1 contendership and a chance to eventually fight division champ B.J. Penn.

Florian comes with a big fan following courtesy of his time on The Ultimate Fighter, where he bulked up to 185 pounds just to have a chance to compete on the show, where he made it to the finals before losing.  In the time since, he’s gone an impressive 8-1, finishing all his wins and losing only to former UFC champ Sean Sherk in a five-round decision. In addition, he’s a studio analyst for ESPN’s web show, MMA Live.

Huerta has earned his following in a more organic fashion, taking advantage of the television time his matches received, doing countless media interviews and becoming the first mixed martial artist to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. In the cage, he’s gone 6-0 and made a legion of fans after his thrilling come-from-behind submission win over Clay Guida last December.

But the two have ultimately become fan favorites because of their predilection for action, and there should be no shortage of it on Saturday in their scheduled three-round bout.

Huerta has earned praise for a gas tank that Detroit would kill for, and it is the source of his belief that he is never out of a fight as he proved against Guida.

“It’s the best feeling in the world knowing you can go 100 mph and not slow down and know you’re opponent will slow down,” he said. “It gives you amazing confidence and belief in yourself. For me, it’s one of my best assets.”

Florian credits Huerta’s will to win as one of his best attributes.

“His heart and will to win are really admirable,” he said. “A lot of people who talk a tough game, say they’ll do this and that. But at end of the day when their back is against the wall and they’re taking a beating, they’ll quit. Roger never quits, and that’s what I consider a fighter. When you come back from adversity, that’s what I consider a fighter, and he’s a fighter.”

Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that it is Huerta who is making the bigger step up in competition. Prior to his defeat over Guida, Huerta had faced five straight opponents making their UFC debuts. Guida, with over 30 pro fights under his belt – including four in the UFC has an impressive resume, but Florian has a title fight under his belt, something he credits with his transformation over the last two years.

After losing to then-champ Sherk, Florian got more serious about his conditioning and dieting with trainer Kevin Kearns, transforming his body in the process. And he rededicated his training focus with his coach Mark Dellagrotte at Sidyodtong in Somerville, MA.

“With Roger, I’m motivated because of the cardio he brings in,” Florian said. “I’ve had a great training camp… It’s awesome, I’m in the best shape of my life. It’s fun to be with an opponent who pushes the pace.”

Where the fight takes place is anyone’s guess. Florian has shown sharper standup and a more diverse striking game, while Huerta likely gets the edge in wrestling, but neither of the fighters seems to come in with a plan, relying instead on their instincts.

“I used to try to have a plan for certain things,” Florian said. “But then when you try to execute a certain strategy, forcing certain things gets tough. You end up fighting with blinders on. Now, I wait for those opportunities instead of forcing them. You got to have a strategy, but forcing it won’t happen.”

But another factor in play is the evolution of Huerta. He spent most of 2007 in training camps, fighting five times during the calendar year. In the eight months since his last bout, Huerta has spent time traveling to train with current UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre, veteran fighter Nate Marquardt and the vaunted trainer Greg Jackson.

Video   Huerta is "hungry" Roger Huerta prepares for his biggest fight, knowing he has an answer for anything Kenny Florian will throw at him. NBC Sports

The experience could result in refinements that throw an X-factor into the fight.

“Last year I fought five times, so I didn’t have the time and opportunity to travel and learn from these guys and everybody else,” Huerta said. “I was able to do that now with some time off. I had the chance to train with better guys and competitors. It was a great experience.”

Huerta, too, is fighting in his adopted hometown. After a difficult childhood in which he was abandoned by his parents, Huerta used sports as an outlet for his frustration as well as a showcase of his talent. He eventually wound up wrestling at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and he still lives in the area.

“It means a lot for me to fight here,” he said. “This is where it began for me. It’s where I had my first amateur fight, and where I became a pro. Lot of people saw me compete here, saw me grow into the fighter I am today. And now they get the chance to watch me live.”

While champ Penn has voiced an overwhelming desire to fight St. Pierre if GSP beats Fitch, Huerta and Florian both know that a win on Saturday is a step closer to their ultimate goal of a championship.

Both fighters know what’s at stake, and given that a loss sends them back into the wide pool of contenders, expect an epic struggle that could be a show-stealer.

“This fight is most important fight of my life,” Huerta said. “Any time any fighter steps in the octagon, you’re either going to move up the ladder or get bumped down, so I’m giving my heart and soul to it. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

MORE FROM MMA

MMA Section Front

MMA Fight Weekly: Golden Boy WEC 37: Torres vs. Tapia action photos TUF finals: Nover-Escudero, Bader-Magalhaes Torres retains WEC title with TKO of Tapia Barnett to face Yvel at Affliction II event Reluctant star Torres faces challenge in Tapia   Strikeforce's best knockouts Margarito-Mosley bodes badly for Affliction MMA world pound-for-pound rankings Babalu wins Strikeforce title after cut stoppage MMA Section Front   Add MMA headlines to your news reader: