Five Fights I Want To See in the UFC by August 2009

Whether we all agree or disagree or even agree to disagree, one thing is certain, we all certainly think we could do a better job than Dana White or Joe Silva.

Okay, maybe not all of us, some of us think they are doing a good job for the most part, but we would at least like to be Joe Silva or Dana White for one fight card.

Well, I am not going to assume that I could handle their job, but I sure as heck think that a wish list of fights is not out of the question. With certain match-ups already announced or rumored, I am going to focus on fighters who are not involved quite yet.

In no particular order, of course...

Diego Sanchez vs Nate Diaz

Diego just came off a successful lightweight debut vs Joe Stevenson and Nate came off his first UFC loss to Clay Guida at UFC 94. They both should be ready to fight again mid summer and pitting them against each other would work wonders.

If Diego wins they could push him all the way to title contention and maybe give him one more fight such as the winner of Sean Sherk or Frankie Edgar. The bigger story here would be Nate trying to avenge his big brothers loss to Diego back in 2005.

This could even prove to be a big rivalry a la Koscheck vs Sanchez or Ortiz vs Shamrock with the two egos involved. Diego vs Gray Maynard or Tyson Griffin would work well, too.

Partick Cote vs Yushin Okami

Thank Sean Schimling's UFC 102 column for this one. With Anderson Silva taking on Thales Leites at UFC 97 and Yushin Okami taking on Dan Miller at UFC 98, one could say that Anderson vs Okami will happen next.

However, if for some reason the UFC delays the Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami fight yet again, Cote stated he will be back about August 2009. Perfect timing if Silva vs. Okami doesn't happen.

Honestly, if Silva cant eventually face them both this year, I'd rather see this one 1st. Cote returning against Nate Marqaurdt or Demian Maia would be just as compelling.

Keith Jardine vs Thiago Silva 

Both coming off a loss and both looking to stay in top 10 form. Jardine may have a bit more of a hill to climb as he hasn't put up back to back wins since 2006 but also has never lost back to back either.

Silva had never lost before, much less a knock out loss. A win by either would keep one in the top 10 and the other may be weeded out. I am eager to see the BJJ expert vs. the unorthodox striker.

Silva or Jardine vs. Forrest Griffin would be interesting as well.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Anyone

I cant wait to see his debut in the UFC. I am eagerly hoping he will get a good match-up with a largely known name like Nate Quarry or Chris Leben or Jorge Rivera. I would say an even bigger name but I seriously doubt that would happen.

B.J. Penn vs Kenny Florian 

I just don't want to see this by the end of summer, I want to see it by the beginning of it.

My friends are split evenly on the outcome of this one. I really hope Kenny Florian can take it to him and even win. Florian will be more of a yes man in regards to defending the title and Penn has plans of his own that the UFC has to take in stride.

Lets see if Penn's plans involve defending the title versus the clear No. 1 contender anytime soon. This fight may be rumored everywhere for sure, but I am dying to see it already. No substitute would make me happy save Georges St. Pierre vs. Penn III so that Grease Gate can go away.

A brief list of other fighters I want to see in a top flight match-up yet again, preferably versus each other if applicable.

Shane Carwin, Cheick Kongo, Forrest Griffin, Demian Maia, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Marcus Davis, and Spencer Fisher.