Neer-Avena headlines Cage Combat card

Veteran mixed martial artist Josh Neer has seen the view from the top of his sport, with 10 Ultimate Fighting Championship appearances.

The 28-year-old Iowan would love to get back there and become a UFC champion one day.

If not, he's content brawling his way through the regional circuit and earning a living inside the cage.

"I love to fight," the lightweight said. "My main goal is to be world champion, but my side goal is just to make money. If the UFC happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I'm fine fighting on these different shows."

Neer will meet Las Vegan Blas Avena, a World Extreme Cagefighting veteran, in the main event of Superior Cage Combat 2 tonight at Orleans Arena.

He is 5-1 since his last UFC fight, a loss by decision to Gleison Tibau at UFC 104 in October 2009. Neer's lone loss in that time came to Bellator star Eddie Alvarez last year.

"My career is going good right now. I'm still learning stuff," he said. "When I first got to the UFC, I was pretty young for being there. I've still got a long road ahead of me."

Neer said his brawling style and 41 career fights likely leave him only about five more years at the peak of his skills.

He realizes becoming a UFC champion could be a long shot but still believes he can carve out a legacy for himself similar to the recently retired Chris Lytle.

"He didn't have a great record, but all the fans loved him. He put on a great show every time he fought," Neer said. "Just keep giving me exciting fights, and I'll keep going out and putting on exciting shows for the fans."

Neer is one of several UFC veterans fighting on tonight's nine-fight card, which begins at 7 p.m. John Alessio, who fights late replacement Shawn Fitzsimmons in a welterweight co-main event, has been in the UFC and WEC. Justin Buchholz, John Gunderson and Chase Gormley all have fought in the UFC, as well.

Some of the fighters, including locals Danny Davis Jr. and Jimmy Jones, still aspire to reach that level.

Jones, who trains at Xtreme Couture, is 2-0 as a professional. He will take on David Bollea in a lightweight bout at the same property where he spent much of his successful amateur career in Tuff-N-Uff cards at the Orleans.

"For now, I'm happy where I'm at in my progress," Jones said. "Hopefully in a year or two, I'll make it to the big show if I can put on some dominant performances, but until then, I'm just going to fight whoever they put in front of me and have fun while I'm doing it."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.