Power Ranking the Best Fights Possible for Every Division

The best has yet to come for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, especially after the best possible fights in every division have yet to take place.

After numerous injuries and suspensions took its course in the past year, enticing matchups were left dangling in every division.

Megafights such as Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz and Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo are still on the table. But when it comes to power ranking the best possible fights in every division, which fight reigns supreme?

With the criteria dealing with anticipation, fighting styles and overall importance in the sport, is Edgar vs. Aldo or GSP vs. Diaz the top matchup? Is either?

8. Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson

If you want speed and athleticism, look no further than Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson.

However, if you want a big-time matchup with a Super Bowl-type feel to it, this fight may disappoint. The flyweights aren't there yet.

Though they may be exciting, they aren't a draw for the UFC. For one reason or another, the mainstream appeal is nonexistent. Fans would rather watch two giants swing for the fences rather than two well-rounded technicians do battle.

And really, that's a shame, because Joseph Benavidez and Johnson's inaugural championship title fight at UFC 152 was fast-paced action at its finest.

Expect nothing less when John Dodson steps in to face the champ. Mighty Mouse and Johnson are two of the fastest fighters in the UFC, and when they eventually throw down for the 125-pound belt, the fans will witness the fastest fight in the history of MMA.

7. Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman

Just like Joe Rogan would say, "How dare you, sir!"

How dare anyone suggest that Anderson Silva is ducking Chris Weidman. That's been the storyline ever since Silva defeated Chael Sonnen at UFC 148 and started lobbying for a superfight with St-Pierre.

Fans don't seem to understand. Instead, they would like to see Silva defend his title against Weidman. And who could blame them after his beautiful elbow knockout victory against Mark Munoz at UFC on Fuel TV 4?

This sets up this bout down the road perfectly, and many believe Weidman could give Silva a run for his money with solid striking, fantastic wrestling and superb submission game.

But then again, this guy has only nine professional fights under his belt. Is he ready to face the greatest fighter of all time? Still, it's a fight we'd all like to see one day.

6. Dominick Cruz vs. Michael McDonald

Dominick Cruz's next challenge will come against Renan Barao, but that's not the best possible matchup in the bantamweight division.

Nope, that's reserved for another Cruz title defense, and it's against the most exciting fighter in the bantamweight division, Michael McDonald.

Obviously, Barao is no gimme fight, but in terms of excitement, McDonald and Cruz certainly fits the bill. Though he's highly skilled, Barao has went to a decision in three of his last four fights in the UFC. What's going to happen when he goes up against the king of decisions at 135 pounds?

McDonald, on the other hand, has finished his last two fights in the UFC by knockouts in the first round, with his latest coming against Miguel Torres.

McDonald never ceases to put on a great show for the fans, because he pushes the pace. Intertwine that with Cruz's stick-and-move style, and this bout should be a nonstop adrenaline rush for fans.

5. Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem

No ground game necessary.

The Alistair Overeem/Junior dos Santos feud took months to prosper, but it can end in one violent second. That's what's expected when arguably the two best strikers in the heavyweight division trade punches and kicks inside the Octagon.

But this is no ordinary contest. There's a history here and bad blood has resulted because of it.

Simply put—Overeem and dos Santos don't like each other. Words have been said, hype has been generated and fans are itching for these two to settle this feud in the cage.

They were robbed of seeing this match at UFC 146, due to Overeem testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone, and after campaigning for another shot at JDS, Overeem will surely get a second chance at dos Santos down the road. Until then, we'll just keep watching this amazing promo NicktheFace made.

4. Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis

To quote CBS announcer Verne Lundquist, "Ohhh baby."

A fight between Nate Diaz and Anthony Pettis would blow the roof off of the building. It might not draw like some of these other fights on the list, but a pure fan of this sport knows that this fight has potential to be the best bout of the year.

Heck, with Diaz's unrelenting pace and Pettis' kickboxing style, this fight could make for one of the greatest fights in UFC history. But hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

After all, for this fight to live up to its promise, something needs to be on the line. Perhaps some UFC gold? That should be the case if Diaz defeats Benson Henderson for the lightweight championship in December.

And a victory over Donald Cerrone could launch Pettis into a contendership position. If this scenario holds true, Christmas will come early for fight fans.

3. Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar

UFC 156 can't come soon enough.

Though it isn't, this might as well be looked upon as champion vs. champion. After losing a rematch for the lightweight belt in a controversial decision against Henderson, Frankie Edgar is heading down to the featherweight division to take on Jose Aldo in a dream fight.

Want to hear the best news? The fight is less than four months away. Let the anticipation build.

And build it should, because this fight is no ordinary featherweight bout. This is a showdown between two of the best fighters on the planet, and so many intriguing questions arise from it.

Will Edgar be able to take Aldo down? Can Aldo chop down Edgar with his vicious leg kicks? Will Edgar's wrestling negate those leg kicks? Can't wait to find out those answers in February.

2. GSP vs. Nick Diaz

MMA's golden boy vs. MMA's bad boy has been talked about for quite some time, and after its been delayed for so long, fans are yearning for this fight to take place.

Even better, the events that have caused this fight to be postponed reflect both fighters' perceived characters in the sport.

You know the story by now. Diaz fails to show up to multiple UFC 137 press conferences and gets pulled from fighting GSP, then the fight is rescheduled and GSP's injury forces him out of UFC 143.

Now, here we stand with Diaz being suspended one year after testing positive for marijuana metabolites at UFC 143, and GSP facing Carlos Condit at UFC 154 for the welterweight championship.

After Diaz called GSP out at UFC 137, GSP wants to show Diaz respect, while Diaz wants to prove that he's the best in the world. For the fans' sake, hopefully, GSP and Diaz settle this conflict in the near future.

1. Jon Jones vs. Anderson Silva

Who's better—Jon Jones or Anderson Silva?

Some will say Silva is better because he's accomplished more and pulled off moves that no one would dream of doing in a fight.

Others will say Jones is the better of the two because he is more well-rounded. His superior wrestling skills could be the difference-maker. But why should we just talk about it? Let's see who the best fighter in the world really is.

Jones vs. Silva in the UFC would not only be the best possible fight in any division, but it would be the biggest fight in MMA history.

Silva is widely regarded as the best fighter of all time, and when Jones' career is all said and done, he could take Silva's place on that mantle. To have the two best fighters of all time wage war inside the Octagon against one another is something that comes around just once.