5 Fights We'd Love to See If Weight Classes Weren't a Thing

Ever wonder how one UFC champion would fare against another?

Ever ponder the idea of a battle of the sexes?

Of course you have, and that's perfectly natural.

Unfortunately, the universal laws of mixed martial arts prevent any of these dream matchups from actually taking place.

Luckily, our imagination on this platform is not controlled by a sanctioning body.

Strength aside, here are five fights we would love to see if weight classes were no more.

Anderson Silva vs. Conor McGregor

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First and foremost, do not take this as a comparison between Anderson Silva and Conor McGregor.

Silva remains the most prolific and show-stopping fighter in MMA history, while McGregor is simply a seedling in the sport at this moment in time.

However, because of the way they conduct themselves inside the cage and the confidence they both display outside of it, Silva vs. McGregor would be a match made in heaven.

Both guys feature an unorthodox offensive attack based on rangy strikes, quick head movement and an ability to pounce on an injured foe.

McGregor would have the edge in the wrestling department, but The Spider's precision-based combinations and fluent defense would be enough to keep the Irishman at bay.

Demetrious Johnson vs. Cain Velasquez

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As two of the UFC's most dominating championship forces, a showdown between flyweight king Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson and heavyweight stud Cain Velasquez would result in something we're not used to seeing.

One of them actually losing.

However, outside of their respective divisional win streaks that would be at stake should these two ever meet, Johnson vs. Velasquez offers something much more to fight fans.

Even at the opposite ends of the MMA spectrum, with one outweighing the other by over 100 pounds, the two titleholders possess the very best motors in the game.

They've demonstrated the resilience, conditioning, persistence and overwhelming pressure to manhandle any and all opponents for five straight rounds, which is something that remains somewhat of a rarity in the sport today. 

Jon Jones vs. Anthony Pettis

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Whether it's their ability to finish top contenders or look unstoppable while doing so, champions Jon Jones and Anthony Pettis are flashy epitomes of what a young superstar truly is.

However, it is their knack for defending and avoiding damage that would make this matchup truly worth watching.

With excellent footwork, rangy striking, timely counterpunching and undeniable speed at their disposal, Jones and Pettis remain two of the hardest fighters to hit.

Pin them against one another, and it's a recipe for one of the best chess matches the sport has to offer. 

Ronda Rousey vs. Bryan Caraway

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Picture it now.

On one side of the cage, you have UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

On the other side, you have the boyfriend of nemesis Miesha Tate.

That's something better left for The Maury Show.

In any case, bad relationships aside, Rousey vs. featherweight standout Bryan Caraway would actually be a good matchup on paper.

Both fighters are at the top of their respective divisions when it comes to grappling and know exactly how to secure a finish when the opportunity presents itself.

Rousey would be a little quicker to the punch, but Caraway is a crafty veteran with a high fight IQ who would represent the men of MMA well. 

Junior Dos Santos vs. Nick Diaz

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Boxing will always hold a spot in MMA.

As a discipline that often chooses quantity over quality, focusing on combinations, footwork, head movement and calculated persistence in the process, boxing is as useful as any offensive tool.

That's why a showdown between two of the sport's best boxers today would offer insight into whether Nick Diaz's output can best the powerful destruction of former heavyweight champ Junior Dos Santos.

Both fighters like to come forward and utilize the clinch to land vicious combinations to the head and body, so it's possible that this could very well turn into a Fight of the Year candidate.

I guess you would have to take Diaz based on his pressure-pushing ways alone.

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