GSP Features in Dream MMA Fights Fans Would Love to See in 2013

2012 is going to provide fight fans with some pretty awesome bouts.

We will finally get to see Rashad Evans and Jon Jones settle their beef, and Chael Sonnen will get a shot at redemption against Anderson Silva in the most highly anticipated rematch in MMA history.

As fight fans, we live for the big fights and spend a good deal of time thinking up dream fights that we would love to see. These fights are often argued out and analyzed by fans without most of them ever coming to fruition.

While it is hard to forecast what the MMA landscape will look like in 2013 with many huge fights left in 2012, there are certain dream fights that the fans would love to see. Whether it be a cross-promotion fight or a champion vs. champion encounter, these 10 fights have varying degrees of possibility, but they are all matchups fans would love to see.

Gibert Melendez vs. B.J. Penn

When it was announced that Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez would be fighting on Strikeforce's May 19 card, Cesar Gracie made it known that he was hoping the opponent would be B.J. Penn.

Gracie and fans alike were largely disappointed when it was announced that Melendez will instead face fellow Strikeforce fighter Josh Thomson, a fighter Melendez has already fought twice.

Melendez has held the organization's lightweight title for three years, and there are few lightweights on the roster that Melendez hasn't already beaten handily. Melendez remains one of the best fighters in the world not fighting under the UFC banner.

While it appears that for the time being Melendez is stuck with Strikeforce, fans would love to see Melendez finally get a big name opponent in 2013.

BJ Penn may be the perfect fit to play that role. Penn announced his intentions to walk away from the sport after his decision loss to Nick Diaz, but many would love to see Penn return to lightweight once more before retiring for good.

Penn is the most accomplished lightweight in the history of the UFC and about as big a name as Melendez could ask for.

There hasn't been much precedent for the move, so Zuffa isn't likely to send one of its top contenders in the UFC to fight for Strikeforce—but for Penn the move makes more sense, because he isn't currently a part of the UFC title picture.

A fight with Penn would give Melendez the opportunity to have a signature win on his resume. Penn could show he has a run left at 155.

Hector Lombard vs. Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva has all but cleaned out the middleweight division.

Should Silva defeat Chael Sonnen once again in their rematch, there aren't many matchups left for him other than less-than-stellar rematches and a few up-and-comers that probably aren't quite ready for a shot at the pound-for-pound kingpin.

Hector Lombard has one of the most impressive winning streaks in MMA and hasn't lost since 2006. Lombard may be the sport's greatest can-crusher, as many of Lombard's wins have come against mediocre competition.

The Bellator middleweight champion has fought in various organizations throughout his career and needs to make a big step up in competition to solidify his position as a top 10 middleweight. No bigger step up in competition exists than taking on Silva.

Lombard has impressive knockout power along with powerful grappling skills to provide an intriguing option as an opponent for Silva that few fighters on the UFC roster can provide.

Lombard's Bellator contract is up and he is reportedly free to take offers from other organizations. Dana White has expressed interest in signing the explosive middleweight, bringing this fight closer to reality.

It is rare that Joe Silva and Company give a promotional newcomer a shot at the title in their debut, so Lombard will need to win at least one fight in the UFC before he can lay claim to number-one-contender status, setting up a shot at Silva in 2013.

Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo

Frankie Edgar is just a little too small for lightweight.

Jose Aldo is just about out of challenges at featherweight.

These are the basic principles behind this dream fight.

Though the idea has lost some traction because of Frankie Edgar's recent title loss to Benson Henderson, it still remains a fight that fans would love to see. Edgar has become a fan favorite for his heart and never-say-die fighting style that has allowed him to make some great comebacks in his career.

Aldo has been nothing short of a dominant champion. Going back to his days in the WEC he has successfully defended his title five times.

Defeating the likes of Kenny Florian, Mark Hominick and Chad Mendes, Aldo is quickly running out of contenders and Edgar is a better option than anyone else.

Both Aldo and Edgar are commonly found on pundits' pound-for-pound lists, so this fight truly deserves the billing of "superfight." One thing that keeps this fight from happening is Edgar's unwillingness to fight at 145 pounds. 

Despite cutting almost no weight to make the 155-pound limit, Edgar prefers to fight at his most natural weight class and avoid cutting weight altogether—a rarity in MMA. 

However, if Edgar loses to Henderson once again, it could be enough to convince him to make the drop to 145 and indulge fans in a superfight that we all would love to see.

Chad Ochocinco vs. Herschel Walker

While we're dreaming we might as well throw in a sideshow fight.

New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocinco hasn't fought one fight in his life, but that didn't stop him from calling out Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre on separate occasions.

Putting Ochocinco in the UFC octagon will never happen (James Toney was as far from an MMA fighter as they'll go), but surely there's a promotion out there willing to provide Ochocinco the opportunity showcase his skills—or lack thereof.

But who should Ochocinco fight?

Putting him in against the likes of Silva or St. Pierre would be virtually homicidal. Given this fight would be purely for the spectacle of it all, a name that is familiar to football fans would be preferable.

A big NFL name with a fighting background? Sounds like a job for Herschel Walker.

Walker, the famous Heisman trophy-winning running back, has proven to be a somewhat legit fighter, claiming a 2-0 record under the Strikeforce banner.

Matching Walker up against Ochocinco would be fun for MMA and football fans alike, and would provide one of the better sideshow fights in MMA history.

By 2013, Ochocinco could very well have lost any shred of relevancy he has in the NFL anyway, and a foray into MMA would at least keep him somewhat relevant.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Winner vs. UFC Heavyweight Champion

The idea of a champion vs. champion bout is something that has always intrigued MMA fans.

While this wouldn't hold the weight of a PRIDE-UFC unification bout such as Dan Henderson vs. Rampage Jackson, the intrigue is definitely still there.

So far, the Strikeforce heavyweights have successfully invaded the UFC heavyweight roster. Fabricio Werdum, Lavar Johnson and Alistair Overeem are all heavyweights who were recently successful in making their UFC debuts. Could the Grand Prix champion have similar success against the UFC's heavyweight champion?

We should find out the winner of the Grand Prix soon, as Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett are set to finish out the tumultuous tournament on May 19. If the dissolution of the division goes as originally planned, the winner will fight one more fight under the Strikeforce banner against an unnamed contender before joining the UFC.

Cormier and Barnett have both looked impressive in getting to the finals of the Grand Prix, and a fight against the UFC heavyweight champion could await them in 2013.

Jon Jones vs. Junior Dos Santos

Light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones has the longest build in MMA. To look at him, he looks more like an NBA player than a fighter.

With plenty of time to fill out that frame with muscle many, including Jones himself, see his future in the heavyweight division. While he may not be ready to move up a division yet and still has a few contenders left in the division before it is adequately cleaned out (namely Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson), there is little doubt that we will eventually see Jones fight in the heavyweight division.

Why not Junior dos Santos?

If dos Santos is still the champion in 2013, Jones vs. dos Santos could be the biggest fight in UFC history. The thought of a title match between the champion of the UFC's two marquee divisions should have dollar signs in Dana White's eyes and the fans absolutely thrilled.

If Jones were to dedicate himself to the heavyweight division and make the switch full-time, it is conceivable that he would weight in at around 230 pounds. For heavyweights that weigh in at the limit of 265, Jones would be giving up 35 pounds.

Fighting dos Santos would make for a good introduction to the weight class as dos Santos usually weighs in at around the 240-pound mark. Jones would only be giving up ten pounds to the champion.

Dos Santos possesses the most explosive hands in the sport and has yet to be taken down. Jones is a dynamic striker with tremendous range, and has some of the most creative and effective takedowns we have seen used in the octagon.

Magnitude, styles and two of the UFC's biggest stars—this has everything fans want to see in a dream fight.

Nick Diaz vs. Nate Diaz

Of all the superfights that MMA fans dream of, this is the one with the least likely chance of ever happening—at a sanctioned event, at least.

The Diaz brothers are always among the most entertaining fighters in the sport. It is also evident that the two have a great relationship, as they can usually be seen cornering each other at their fights and are heavily involved with each other's training.

It really is a shame that we will never see these two fight—they are mirror images of one another. Both have aggressive in-your-face styles that bring the fight to their opponent every time out. Both are highly entertaining fighters inside the octagon who aren't afraid to play head games with their opponent mid-fight, and both have high-quality jiu-jitsu to go along with very effective stand-up skills.

Both fighters have a very dedicated fan base that would love to watch these guys fight—who would they choose between the two?

If the fight went to decision, would the loser still complain?

Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva

If you could see Michael Jordan play against LeBron James, wouldn't you?

That's the kind of matchup we are talking about when you talk about a superfight between Jon Jones and Anderson Silva.

Silva/Jordan playing the part of transcendent legend who finds ways to win and obliterates the competition so fiercely that he defines an era. Jones/James playing the role of the new breed—possessing a blend of size, athleticism and raw skills that we have never seen in the sport before.

Unfortunately, we'll never be able to see Jordan vs. James on the court because they are from two entirely different decades.

If we don't ever see Jones vs. Silva, it will be a shame.

The fight remains highly unlikely, as Jones claims Anderson Silva as a hero and Silva has said he isn't interested in a fight with Jones. However, we could be headed to a situation where both fighters could have their divisions cleaned out by 2013.

Silva has been dominating the middleweight division for years and is quickly running out of challengers for his title. Jones hasn't been dominating for years, but with three defenses of his belt in less than a year, he too could find himself moving through fights faster than the division can generate them.

It appears that Silva's age has yet to catch up to him, so fans would love to see these two fight each other at opposite ends of their careers while Silva still has something left in the tank.

Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz

The most disappointing non-fight in 2012 could end up being a dream come true for fans in 2013.

Georges St. Pierre and Nick Diaz were set to meet at UFC 143 after Diaz infuriated GSP by calling him out in a post-fight interview with Joe Rogan at UFC 137. However, Diaz had the title shot taken away from him after he no-showed two press conferences leading up to the bout.

GSP will most likely make his much-anticipated return against Carlos Condit in the fall, and if he is able to beat the interim champion he has a long list of contenders at 170 prepared to try to steal his belt.

There is little doubt that GSP would push for a Diaz fight if it is at all possible. GSP's disdain for Diaz goes far beyond how he has felt about any other fighter.

Since Diaz's loss to Condit, this fight means significantly less than it did just a few months ago. However there would still be plenty of excitement around this fight, especially if GSP loses to Condit.

The clash of styles remains the most intriguing aspect of this fight. Diaz is the antithesis of GSP.

Diaz's high-volume, fast-paced stand up attack and slick jiu-jitsu provides a stark contrast to GSP's methodical, strategic style of fighting. Many fans felt that a fight against the brash Diaz could bring out the best of GSP or could prove to be his undoing.

As the saying goes, better late than never, and fans would be more than happy to finally get to see these two fight even if they have to wait until 2013.

Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva

George St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva is a dream fight that has been years in the making.

Will 2013 finally be the year we see these two pound-for-pound greats fight?

GSP vs. Silva is a pound-for-pound debate that seems to never end. After a win for either fighter, the debate would be reignited as to which of these all-time greats deserve to be labeled the pound-for-pound best fighter in the sport.

The superfight has been flirted with on several occasions, but has never come to fruition as injuries have kept both fighters from remaining very active recently. With GSP coming back from knee surgery in late 2012 though, he should be able to return to full health and the debate will be back on.

If the UFC is able to book two of its biggest stars in a superfight, the fans should be ecstatic as this debate can finally make its way out of Internet forums and message boards and into the only place it can truly be settled—in the octagon.