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Now that 2009 is here and the MMA universe experienced one heck of a fascinating 2008 with the rise of Brock Lesnar and the fall of Elite XC. I am typing this column to express what ten fights I would like to see in 2009, with the following ten in no particular order.
#1: Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
This fight has been brewing for years, even before both fighters where coaches on the UFC Ultimate Fighter reality program. They were originally slated to fight after the reality show concluded, but a back injury suffered by Matt Serra forced him off the fight. According to both Matt Hughes and Matt Serra in recent interviews, they could finally have this long awaited fight this April.
#2: Kimbo Slice vs. Anybody On The UFC Roster
Ever since Elite XC signed Kimbo Slice, the UFC and mainly Dana White has mocked Kimbo Slice with suggestions that he is not a true MMA fighter. Dana White went as far as suggesting that Kimbo Slice could become a member of the UFC roster if he won the UFC Ultimate Fighter reality show. I say that the talk ends and the UFC should put Kimbo Slice in the octagon for one fight against any contracted UFC fighter and let the actions speak for themselves.
#3: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture
This fight has been talked about for the last few years and the UFC’s lack of ability to sign Fedor Emelianenko was a sticking point to his lengthy absence from the company. It went as far as Randy Couture appearing in the ring at the debut event for Affliction and standing face to face with Fedor Emelianenko after he dominated Tim Sylvia in under a minute. With Randy Couture a few years from becoming fifty years old, there are only a few opportunities left for this fight to be put together.
#4: Gina Carano vs. Cristiane Santos
When Elite XC made their debut over two years ago on Showtime, women’s mixed martial arts was catapulted by mainly one woman, Gina Carano. Gina Carano held her thrown for over a year until Elite XC On CBS II aired, when a woman named Cristiane Santos destroyed Shayna Baszler. Ever since that fight, fans have been salivating to see who is the more dominant female fighter, Gina Carano or Cristiane Santos? The proposed fight between Cristiane Santos and Gina Carano has even gained the interest of Dana White, who said they could hold the fight in World Extreme Cagefighting.
#5: Eddie Alvarez vs. BJ Penn
Most people consider BJ Penn to be the top lightweight fighter in the UFC right now, while many also consider Eddie Alvarez to be the best unsigned fighter not in the UFC. Eddie Alvarez is a very talented fighter who was one fight away from becoming the DREAM 2008 Lightweight Grand Prix winner, but an injury caused him to miss the finals. The self proclaimed “new” BJ Penn is widely considered the be the best BJ Penn ever to compete in MMA and it would be interesting to see him compete against one of the best unsigned talents not in the UFC.
#6: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Alistair Overeem II
At the DREAM VI event in September 2008, Alistair Overeem was dominating the once destructive force in Mirko Cro Cop before an illegal knee to the groin halted the fight. A rematch between Alistair Overeem and Mirko Cro Cop was teased for the K-1 Fields Dynamite 2008 event, but both fighters ended up fighting different opponents on the card and were successful in there separate encounters. It would be interesting to see if Mirko Cro Cop can return to his PRIDE-esque destructive self and defeat one of the best heavyweight fighters in MMA today.
#7: Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn III
These two met for the UFC Welterweight Title for the first time at UFC 48: Supernatural, where BJ Penn defeated Matt Hughes by submission in the first round to win the title. The rematch occurred at UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn, again for the UFC Welterweight Title, with Matt Hughes defeating BJ Penn by TKO in the third round to retain the title. I believe that it would be stupid for the UFC not to capitalize on a third fight between Matt Hughes and BJ Penn, especially if BJ Penn defeats Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title in January.
#8: Anderson Silva vs. Chuck Liddell
When the UFC hit the peak of its popularity following its debut on Spike TV with the UFC Ultimate Fighter, the face of the promotion was the dominant Chuck Liddell. In the last few years, a new face has emerged as the dominant fighter in the UFC, with that fighter being Anderson Silva. This fight has been teased a few times, especially after Anderson Silva moved up to the UFC Light Heavyweight Division earlier this year to defeat James Irvin.. There are very few dream fights left for Chuck Liddell in the UFC remaining, but Anderson Silva as an opponent tops the list.
#9: Nick Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi II
Nick Diaz was already a very established fighter in the USA following his departure from the UFC in 2006 and Takanori Gomi is one of the best fighters in Japan when they met at PRIDE 33. At PRIDE 33, Nick Diaz fought and originally defeated PRIDE Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi in a non-title bout until the NSAC reversed the decision following a failed drug test following the fight. With Nick Diaz having a lot of success in Elite XC following his fight in PRIDE 33 and Takanori Gomi having equal success in Sengoku following the PRIDE 33 fight, a rematch must happen at some point.
#10: Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva
It has been well established that Georges St. Pierre has been the most dominant fighter in his weight class since Matt Hughes run as champion a few years back. It has also been well established that Anderson Silva is the most dominant fighter in his weight class and is considered by most to be the best pound for pound fighter in MMA today. It seems that it would be a natural fight to have the two most dominant fighters in the UFC meet to see who is the best of the best.
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
