10 UFC Wrestler vs. Striker Fights We'd Love to See

The UFC employs the greatest fighters in the world. There's no argument.

From KO artists to submissions specialists, these mixed martial artists utilize elite skills to dominate their respective divisions.

But when two unique styles find each other in the center of the Octagon, a MMA chess match is sure to ensue.

Here are the top 10 wrestler vs. striker matchups we'd love to see.

10. Chad Mendes vs. Mark Hominick

Neither Chad Mendes nor Mark Hominick tested Jose Aldo when they fought him for the featherweight championship.

However, that doesn't mean they aren't top fighters at 145 lbs. Instead, it serves as a testament to how good Aldo actually is.

Regardless of those bouts, a matchup between Mendes and Hominick would truly be something to watch. With Mendes basically serving as a featherweight version of Urijah Faber and Hominick serving as a 145 lb. Martin Kampmann, a fight between the two would be highly anticipated.

We rarely see true wrestler vs. striker fights at the smaller weight classes, but this one would easily give fans what they want. A battle of wits between two disciplined fighters, in their own rights.

9. Chael Sonnen vs. Chris Leben

A lot of people would argue that a fight between Chael Sonnen and Chris Leben would produce a similar outcome to Sonnen's victory over Brian Stann at UFC 136.

But nothing is easily said and done in MMA.

Leben has also faced Stann in the Octagon, losing to him just over a year ago, but that doesn't mean "The Crippler" doesn't have the same power in his hands as the "All American."

While Sonnen currently commands the No. 1 contender spot in the middleweight division, an eventual fight with Leben would produce serious PPV ratings.

The trash talking would be through the roof, and Leben's hands against Sonnen's relentless wrestling would no doubt create a dramatic ending.

8. Josh Koscheck vs. Martin Kampmann

This is a fight that could actually happen sooner rather than later.

Koscheck has always been one of the best natural wrestlers in the UFC, whether he sticks to his roots or fades away to test his chances striking.

Kampmann, on the other hand, is all striking. He's arguably the most well-rounded fighter on his feet in the welterweight division and has already inflicted massive amounts of damage to pace-pushers like Diego Sanchez and Rick Story.

A fight with Koscheck would truly test Kampmann's ability to defend the takedown, but he'd surely have the advantage on his feet with his explosive kickboxing skills.

7. Clay Guida vs. Donald Cerrone

Personally, I want to see this fight tomorrow.

Clay Guida is one of the best grapplers in the game today and is arguably the biggest threat in the lightweight division to inflict his iron will on his opponents.

But even though Guida stands for everything a power wrestler stands for, that doesn't mean he'd run through a guy like Donald Cerrone.

With great kickboxing skills and the instinct to end fights on his feet, Cerrone continues to showcase why he should be considered the pound-for-pound best striker at 155 lbs.

Guida did have problems against Benson Henderson at UFC on FOX 1, getting overpowered on his feet and ending the fight with only 11 strikes landed.

However, he was able to successfully take down and smother Anthony Pettis back in June. Pettis is one of the best pure strikers in the UFC, so your guess as to an outcome of a fight with Cerrone is as good as mine.

6. Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald

I absolutely love Michael McDonald. Call it a bromance.

The kid is accomplishing so much in the UFC at such a young age that it's hard to ignore his potential within the bantamweight division.

By the end of 2012, McDonald could easily warrant a fight with MMA pretty boy Urijah Faber. 

Faber has always been renowned as one of the best pound-for-pound wrestlers in the UFC and his last fight with Brian Bowles proved those assumptions correct.

However, Faber has had trouble with bigger strikers in the past, mostly his title bouts with Dominick Cruz and Jose Aldo.

While McDonald's Octagon abilities aren't even close to that of Cruz and Aldo, he does pack a serious punch. Maybe even the hardest hands in his division.

Call it as you will; this fight would be closer than you think.

5. Phil Davis vs. Lyoto Machida

With a recent loss to Rashad Evans at UFC on FOX 2, Phil Davis will once again be tested in his next fight to determine where he actually stands in the light heavyweight division.

With that said, a striker-based opponent could be on deck. That's where Lyoto Machida comes in.

Machida is arguably the best defensive striker in the UFC today, but he also attacks with the best of them. We saw in Davis' last fight that he doesn't exactly have the standup skills that many thought he possessed after victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Brian Stann.

But Davis is a wrestler at heart, so to badmouth his striking skills would be doing him a disservice. Regardless, he'd definitely have his hands full, literally, if Machida knocks on his door in the future.

Not for nothing, but Machida has dropped significant bouts to wrestlers in the past, including title fights with Jon Jones and Shogun Rua.

4. Chael Sonnen vs Wanderlei Silva

Wouldn't this be an awesome fight?

One of the best strikers of all time against arguably the best wrestler in the UFC today.  Sparks would surely fly.

But who has the advantage? It depends.

Chael Sonnen is definitely more well-rounded than the aging Wanderlei Silva, but Silva still has one of the hardest punches in the sport today. 

However, Sonnen is no slouch against middleweight strikers. He controlled Anderson Silva for nearly five rounds and submitted Brian Stann in just two. Not to mention his recent efforts against Michael Bisping.

While this fight may be more one-sided than you'd like, it would still be one for the ages.

3. Gray Maynard vs. Anthony Pettis

I honestly think a fight between Gray Maynard and Anthony Pettis could capture Fight of the Year honors.

Both guys are extremely well-rounded, with one being more diverse on his feet while the other likes to use his power wrestling to set the pace.

As previously mentioned, Pettis did have trouble against Clay Guida's wrestling skills, and Maynard sports a fairly similar fight game. 

But Maynard, who hasn't fought since October, did have problems against a smaller striker in Frankie Edgar. He was unable to take down the lightweight champion once in their last title fight.

So a fight between the two would seriously be a toss up. Pettis is one of the most promising young athletes in the sport today, but he hasn't really been able to showcase his superior striking skills over his last few bouts.

Maynard, on the other hand, likes to stand and bang, even though he's a power wrestler at heart. While that could prove deadly for him against an explosive standup specialist like Pettis, it would no doubt be an interesting three-round scramble.

2. Jon Fitch vs. Nick Diaz

If you wouldn't pay $44.99 to watch this fight, then you have no right to include yourself in anything MMA related.

Jon Fitch and Nick Diaz are arguably two of the top 10 best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC today, despite Fitch's unprecedented loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC 141.

Now while Diaz has been suspended for testing positive for marijuana usage, he's more than likely slated to return by the end of the year. That's perfect timing for a guy like Fitch, who has averaged nearly three fights a year during his UFC career.

And if these guys somehow did meet within the next 10 months, it would be downright epic.  Fitch doesn't take kindly to trash talking and Diaz doesn't take kindly to guys who think they can impose their will on him.

With that said, this fight would be full of Diaz jabs, Fitch scrambles and bloody faces. It's everything MMA stands for.

1. Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson

There's a reason this fight is No. 1 on this list.

Not only is it here because it's bound to take place by the end of the year if Jon Jones defeats Rashad Evans at UFC 145, but more importantly due to the fact that both Jones and Dan Henderson can win a fight via striking or wrestling at any time.

They are two of the most versatile fighters in the UFC today, even though they're separated by 17 years on planet earth and nearly 10 years of MMA experience.

But despite their different paths to international stardom, Jones and Henderson would be a fight that you tell your kids about. Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today against one of the greatest mixed martial artists/wrestlers of all time.

It'd be Jones' unorthodox elbows vs. Henderson's H-Bomb. It'd be Henderson's Olympic wrestling vs. Jones' uncanny leg kicks. It'd be Jon "Freakin" Jones vs. Dan "Freakin" Henderson.

At any time, this fight can be ended on the ground or on the feet. How could you ask for more? You can't.

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