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#1: Fedor Emelianenko
The fighter that easily comes in at the top spot on the list, Fedor Emelianenko, is easily the most wanted fighter in the UFC by not only the fans, but by various UFC fighters as well. The three fighters most fans want to see Fedor Emelianenko fight in the UFC are multi-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez. However, if a UFC run isn’t in the future for Fedor Emelianenko, he could easily return to Japan and fight in promotions like DREAM and Sengoku.
#2: Josh Barnett
It can be argued the Josh Barnett’s positive drug test is what lead to the death of Affliction as a mixed martial arts promotion. What cannot be argued is that despite a failed drug test, Josh Barnett will still be a sought after fighter in mixed martial arts. While a run in the UFC is out of the picture due to the fighters strained relationship with the UFC and Dana White, Josh Barnett will easily find work in Japan, where a possibly fight with Fedor Emelianenko looms.
#3: Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort saw his career resurrected in his two Affliction appearances, defeating UFC veterans Terry Martin and Matt Lindland by knockout. During a brief segment on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, UFC vice president Dana White stated that Vitor Belfort could be heading back to the UFC for potential fights with Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva. If a UFC run couldn’t be worked out, Vitor Belfort could easily head to Strikeforce and fight Cung Le for the Strikeforce Middleweight Title.
#4: Renato Sobral
The former top contender to the UFC Light Heavyweight Title will easily walk back into the fold at Strikeforce, where he is the current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion. If Renato Sobral wishes to return to the heavyweight division, potential fights with Allistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum and others lie ahead in Strikeforce. A return to his former home, the UFC, could also occur in the future for Renato Sobral, where he headlined UFC 62 against Chuck Liddell.
#5: Jay Hieron
Although his bigger success came in the now defunct International Fight League, Jay Hieron was starting to make a decent run in Affliction. Jay Hieron is seen as a top prospect in the MMA world and a run in the UFC is possible, but a run in Strikeforce seems more likely. If a potential Strikeforce run is in the future, Jay Hieron can face potential opponents like Nick Diaz, Jake Shields and Joe Riggs. However, a return to the UFC can give Jay Hieron a rematch with current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, who defeated him at UFC 48.
#6: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is the twin brother of former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and went undefeated in his two Affliction fights with victories over Edwin Dewees and Vladimir Matyushenko. With his twin brother already in the UFC, it would seem to be a logical decision to believe that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira could end up in the UFC as well. Maybe the UFC could do what boxing failed to do and book a brother versus brother fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira facing Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
#7: Chris Horodecki
Chris Horodecki was one of the breakout stars from the International Fight League and was set to make his Affliction debut at Affliction: Trilogy. While a run in the UFC and/or Strikeforce would be interesting, I believe that Chris Horodecki would be a better fit in World Extreme Cagefighting. Potential fights in the WEC Featherweight Division against Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, Jose Aldo, Leonard Garcia, Jens Pulver and Manny Gamburyan would be interesting to see.
#8: Matt Lindland
Matt Lindland was being considered as a top contender for the vacant WAMMA Middleweight Title before being beaten by Vitor Belfort at Affliction: Day Of Reckoning. Following two opportunities in recent years where the UFC opted not to sign him, Matt Lindland may be better suited for the Strikeforce promotion to continue his MMA career. However, Matt Lindland can travel internationally and fight tons of potential fights in both DREAM and Sengoku.
#9: Paul Buentello
Paul Buentello had a successful run in the Affliction promotion, defeating UFC veteran Gary Goodridge and Kirill Sidelnikov. Paul Buentello also had previously fought in the UFC, losing a UFC Heavyweight Title fight to then champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC 55. With that being said, Paul Buentello may be better off making a return to Strikeforce and possibly try and get a rematch with current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Allistair Overeem, who he lost to at a Strikeforce event in 2007.
#10: Dan Lauzon
Dan Lauzon is the younger brother of UFC veteran Joe Lauzon and actually has set a UFC record for being the youngest fighter ever to compete in the UFC, as he was 19 years old when he fought Spencer Fisher at UFC 64. While a return to the UFC is possible, a run in the WEC seems more likely with fights against Urijah Faber, Mike Brown, Manny Gamburyan and others are possible. However, a much improved Dan Lauzon taking on Spencer Fisher in a UFC rematch would be interesting to see.
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
