Every Current UFC Champ's Nightmare Matchup
UFC champions are stoic creatures by nature.
They inhabit the most treacherous atmosphere in sports, exploring the intricacies of natural human war in the process.
Throughout time, these polarizing figures have prolonged success like a shark in a pond.
But as it is in anything, especially an entity as unpredictable and fast as mixed martial arts, nobody is safe. There is always something or someone out there with the recipe to give the champs trouble.
Here are those recipe holders who are capable of dethroning some of the UFC's most prized champions.
(C) Ronda Rousey: Cris "Cyborg" Justino
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Ronda Rousey is as dominant of a champion as there is in the sport today.
Her techniques and execution are second to none. She is undefeated record at 10-0, with 10 finishes and five world title defenses (in UFC and Strikeforce).
But that doesn't mean she's invincible.
At times, Rousey has shown an inability to remain precise and consistent in the pocket, making it possible for a challenger to catch her swinging if they're just able to stay on their feet.
Cris "Cyborg" Justino, who is finally making a switch to 135 pounds, has the key ingredients to one day make Rowdy question her striking capabilities and overall toughness.
For Justino, bringing a bloody, drag-out war to Rousey's doorstep would be nothing out of the norm.
And that's exactly the type of pace and persistence a title threat would need to dethrone the queen of mean.
(C) Demetrious Johnson: Ian McCall
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Some people would slot ex-top contender John Dodson in this slot, but how about the guy who remains the only flyweight ever to go tit-for-tat with champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson?
That's right, what about Ian McCall?
The same McCall who did more than enough to bring Johnson to a stalemate all the way back at UFC on FX 2.
Now while it's become apparent that Johnson's well-rounded Octagon fortitude and useful skill set gain steam every time we see him, that doesn't mean Uncle Creepy can't stifle him one more time.
As one of the toughest cats in the division, McCall possesses the quick striking to exchange with the champ, the chin to stay in the pocket, the strong base and scrambling skills to stay on his feet and the intangibles to pull off something unforeseen.
Nobody else in the weight class right now can say the same.
(C) T.J. Dillashaw: Dominick Cruz
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Why not Dominick Cruz?
As the first man ever to carry the title of UFC bantamweight champion, Cruz has already knocked off the likes of Urijah Faber and Demetrious Johnson.
His footwork remains near impossible to match, and his lean build has provided him with the strength and range to gain leverage wherever the fight may go.
When you look at a champion as flashy and quick as T.J. Dillashaw, a fighter like Cruz becomes the obvious choice to one day knock him off his game.
As a fighter who comes in at two inches taller, incorporates one of the best takedown defenses around and bases his own game plan around swift footwork and timely head movement, Cruz would test the young champion like he's never been tested before.
All he has to do is remain healthy and win his next two fights, and we could see Cruz go for another victory opposite Team Alpha Male.
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(C) Jose Aldo: Chad Mendes
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In all likelihood, UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will win his next title fight and make a move to a more suitable and free-range division as a lightweight.
But if we had to pick one guy who would serve as a nightmare for the Brazilian, and in this case we have to, it would be Chad Mendes.
As arguably the most athletic contender in the weight class, one who has refined his striking and knockout power under the tutelage of Duane "Bang" Ludwig, Mendes could truly give Aldo a run for his money when the two meet for a second time at UFC 179 on Oct. 25.
With powerful wrestling and enough top-level conditioning to push Aldo late into the fight, Mendes has the most readily available ingredients to upset the pound-for-pound phenom more than any other fighter around (except maybe the next champion on his list).
(C) Anthony Pettis: Nate Diaz
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It's silly to give Nate Diaz this responsibility considering he's currently wasting away in MMA purgatory, but he's without a doubt the worst matchup for champion Anthony Pettis.
First off, Diaz is not going to let Pettis get off first, gain confidence and pick him apart like he does with a lot of his competitors.
Second, the former top contender is as tough as they get. He'll move forward until he buckles Pettis, or the champion sends him to the mat.
Lastly, Diaz is not only rangy enough to keep Pettis at bay, but his ground skills are near elite, making him an excellent candidate to defend and initiate a variety of submissions.
Diaz will obviously have to regain his divisional footing and value before challenging for the title, especially with guys like Donald Cerrone, Khabib Nurmagomedov, TJ Grant and Eddie Alvarez lurking in the shadows, but when he does, it could spell disaster for Showtime.
(C) Johny Hendricks: Rory MacDonald
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Rory MacDonald made Tyron Woodley look like an amateur back in June and for good reason.
The kid is shaping up to be the second coming of Georges St-Pierre.
Now, obviously, Ares has a long road ahead of him before drawing long-term comparisons to one of the very best champions in MMA history, but when you look at his athletic makeup and mental capacity for learning new techniques and adapting on the fly, it's easy to label him GSP 2.0.
Standing in MacDonald's way of a UFC welterweight title is current champion Johny Hendricks.
Hendricks has become a menacing Octagon endeavor for most welterweights, cutting off their life support with powerful striking and determined wrestling.
That said, as dominant as Bigg Rigg has looked, the 25-year-old Canadian seems like his worst nightmare.
MacDonald is more athletic, just as strong, better off his back, better in the clinch and more disciplined on his feet than Hendricks. He also has the motor to drag the southpaw into muddy waters.
Needless to say, it's only a matter of time before all of this comes to fruition for the young welterweight.
(C) Chris Weidman: Luke Rockhold
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Luke Rockhold seems like the last pick on a long list of top middleweight contenders, but when you look at him on paper, things become a little clearer.
As an athletically charged striker who utilizes his range and kickboxing abilities more than most, Rockhold possesses the sort of makeup that would keep divisional champion Chris Weidman at bay.
Not to mention the former Strikeforce champion is just as big as Weidman and just as strong in close quarters.
Rockhold's chin could be called into question if you want to base your opinion on his promotional debut opposite Vitor Belfort back at UFC on FX 8, but he hadn't been finished in six years before that.
Weidman would more than likely be able to take Rockhold down like he does everybody else, but once on the ground, it's a wash.
As one of the more active submissions experts in the weight class today, Rockhold's black belt would mirror the evolution of Weidman's aggressive, yet calculated, submission game.
Say what you want about his out-of-the-cage antics and everyday persona, come Fight Night Rockhold poses an immediate threat to the legend killer.
(C) Jon Jones: Alexander Gustafsson
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There's nobody else. There just isn't, sadly.
But when you consider how close-knit and entertaining Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson I was, aren't you excited to see the reboot?
If you aren't, you need to have your head checked.
As the most polarizing champion and undeniable force in mixed martial arts over the past five years, UFC light heavyweight champion Jones was considered untouchable before The Mauler got his hands on him back at UFC 165.
By utilizing his natural size, unbelievable chin and menacing boxing skills, Gustafsson was able to escort the champ to the brink of defeat, only to lose via controversial decision.
No worries—the towering Swede will remain on Jones' tail until he gets the coveted rematch he deserves.
For as good as Daniel Cormier has shown to be, he just isn't cut from the same cloth as Gustafsson.
(C) Cain Velasquez: Stipe Miocic
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UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez could not lose for the next three years, and nobody would blink an eye.
That's how dominant of a champion he is. He's arguably the most dominant of his kind, ever.
In any case, Velasquez seems to have the heavyweight division on lockdown, defeating Junior dos Santos and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva twice with relative ease.
And when you consider top title threats like Travis Browne, Josh Barnett and Alistair Overeem are all question marks when it comes to winning a No. 1 contender's bout, rising star Stipe Miocic seems like the logical choice to one day give Velasquez the fight he's been looking for.
Dressed with unbelievable speed and conditioning for a heavyweight, Miocic has showcased the dominant striking skills and wrestling prowess to compete with any fighter on any given night.
He may not be the strongest or most powerful in the weight class, but that isn't necessarily what you need to beat a guy like Velasquez.
Instead, speed, precision, technique and athleticism could all serve as a recipe for the champ's demise.
It just so happens that Miocic has all of those things.
For more UFC news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell
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