UFC Utopia: Ranking the 15 Best Fights Between UFC 181 and UFC 184
The UFC is set for a historic run of top-notch fight cards. Ten events will take us through the end of 2014 and to the beginning of 2015.
What are the best fights you'll have to watch? That's what we are here to tell you.
The UFC has been criticized as of late for poor events, but that won't be the case over the next three months. It has loaded the next 90 days with a fantastic slate of fights for us all.
Exciting stylistic matchups, title tilts and much more help round out the action. This isn't a scientific list, and you may have your own favorite upcoming fights. Title bouts and interesting storylines helped to elevate some matchups up the list.
This ranking features fights in seven different weight classes.
These are the top 15 fights you'll see starting Saturday through February's UFC 184 pay-per-view.
Honorable Mentions
1 of 16
KJ Noons vs. Daron Cruickshank - The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
These lightweights meet on the TUF 20 finale card, and both are dynamic knockout artists. Noons brings a more traditional boxing background into the fight, but Cruickshank's wild kicking attacks will get fans to their feet as well.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Nate Diaz - UFC on Fox 13
The lightweights continue to bring the action on UFC on Fox 13. Diaz returns to action against Dos Anjos, who has risen in the lightweight ranks. This will have major implications on the UFC rankings.
Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver - UFC Fight Night 59
McGregor may be first in line for a title shot against Jose Aldo if he wins. Why isn't the potential megastar in the top 15? Because it looks to be a mismatch on paper. If this was a more competitive fight, then we would see it in the top 10.
Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi - UFC on Fox 14
While perhaps a fight five years too late, it will still be interesting to watch. Henderson drops down to 185 once again, looking to make one more run up the middleweight ladder. Mousasi will not be an easy out. This co-main events UFC on Fox 14.
Jordan Mein vs. Thiago Alves - UFC 183
UFC 183 is a very good card, and this welterweight tilt is not being talked about nearly enough. If it was a bit more important for the division, it would easily rank in the top 15.
Matt Brown vs. Tarec Saffiedine - UFC Fight Night 60
Brown was on the brink of a title shot, but a loss to Robbie Lawler sidetracked his improbable story. He now takes on former Strikeforce champion Saffiedine. This is a quality Fight Night main event, and it rounds out the honorable mentions for this incredible 90-day period.
No. 15: Tyron Woodley vs. Kelvin Gastelum
2 of 16
Event: UFC 183
Kelvin Gastelum has seen a quick rise up the UFC ranks after he won The Ultimate Fighter 17 over Uriah Hall. He has grown at an incredible rate, and he showed that progress in his victory over Jake Ellenberger at UFC 180.
Gastelum, now the No. 7-ranked contender in his division, will co-main event UFC 183 with No. 3-ranked Tyron Woodley.
This fight has the potential to end violently, but their wrestling could also make this a grind. It is tough to gauge exactly how this fight will play out. That is one of the exciting parts about the matchup.
It checks in on the list in part because of how highly ranked the fighters are. This will have significant consequences in the welterweight division. The winner can find himself in a position to become the top contender.
Gastelum is growing in popularity, and the UFC is testing that popularity by putting him in a co-main event of a major PPV.
No. 14: Ronaldo Souza vs. Yoel Romero
3 of 16
Event: UFC 184
No. 2-ranked contender Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza takes on No. 6-ranked Yoel Romero at UFC 184. This middleweight affair could easily headline a UFC Fight Pass card, but the UFC is adding it as the third marquee bout for the event.
Jacare is on the doorstep to a title shot. Romero is not far behind.
This could very well end up being a title eliminator with Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman vying for the strap later that same night.
Romero was lucky to get past Tim Kennedy in his last fight, but that does not take away from how spectacular the former Olympian can be. His incredible wrestling against Jacare's world-class jiu-jitsu is a stylistic matchup for the ages.
If they decide to stand and trade, you will see two developing strikers with big power going toe-to-toe. Either way, we are in for a treat.
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No. 13: Benson Henderson vs. Eddie Alvarez
4 of 16
Event: UFC Fight Night 59
Conor McGregor will get the majority of headlines leading into this event, but the best fight on the card is a lightweight scrap between former champion Benson Henderson and Eddie Alvarez.
Alvarez, ranked No. 11 in the UFC rankings, came over from Bellator and in his first UFC fight was knocked off by Donald Cerrone. He continues to get the cream of the crop in the UFC by facing Henderson in his second Octagon fight.
Henderson was near another title shot but was stopped by Rafael dos Anjos. As he looks to rebound, he enters the fight as the No. 5-ranked contender.
In spite of their recent losses, these two are still very much in the championship picture. It won't take too much of a winning streak to put them back into title contention. They were given a premiere spot on a free television fight card coming off losses.
While many fans will tune in for the charismatic McGregor, they will be surprised by the quality of the co-main event.
No. 12: 'The Ultimate Fighter 20' Finale
5 of 16
Event: The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
The Ultimate Fighter is winding down. We don't know the finalists just yet, but regardless, it will be one of the top fights coming up.
Randa Markos and Jessica Penne have already punched their ticket to the semifinals. Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Torres and Rose Namajunas vs. Joanne Calderwood are the two remaining quarterfinals.
The inaugural strawweight championship is significant for both the UFC and women's MMA in general.
The remaining participants in the tournament are all high-quality fighters. That ensures we will see a fun title bout headlining the card. We will have to tune in to the show on Fox Sports 1 to see who ends up in the finals.
This ranks on the list because of its importance.
No. 11: Claudia Gadelha vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
6 of 16
Event: UFC on Fox 13
Yes, the inaugural title tilt is important and will feature two of the best in the division. But the probable No. 1-contender's bout at UFC on Fox 13 is a much more compelling fight.
Claudia Gadelha was not on TUF 20 in part because of the weight-cutting required in the short time span of the show. Instead, she got to be a part of the first official women's strawweight fight in the UFC.
Following her was Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who came with one of the best performances at UFC on Fox 12.
This is one of the best fights pound-for-pound, but due to the women's lack of drawing power, it remains on the preliminary card. Cardio should not be much of an issue in a 15-minute fight between the two, and both women have styles that ensure they'll come right out to the center of the cage and fight.
Don't expect much of a feeling-out process.
No. 10: Miesha Tate vs. Sara McMann
7 of 16
Event: UFC 183
In a battle to get back to a women's bantamweight title shot, UFC 183 plays host to a Top Three battle between Miesha Tate (No. 2) and Sara McMann (No. 3).
Tate has failed twice to defeat Ronda Rousey, but she remains one of the premiere fighters in the division. She got back in the "W" column by defeating Rin Nakai earlier this year.
McMann was billed as Rousey's toughest challenger. It was an Olympian vs. Olympian matchup, but a knee to the liver dropped McMann in just 66 seconds. After the loss, McMann won a contentious decision over Lauren Murphy in August.
McMann loves to brawl, but she also can be a grinder. That isn't the most exciting style for fans. That is the only thing holding this fight back from entering the top five.
The rankings these women possess has to count. They are fantastic fighters that are the elite of their division. A title fight may await the winner in a thin division.
No. 9: Junior Dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic
8 of 16
Event: UFC on Fox 13
How stacked is the next three months? This heavyweight main event only comes in at No. 9.
We have not seen Junior Dos Santos since losing his trilogy fight with Cain Velasquez over a year ago. We are likely to see a whole new JDS against Stipe Miocic.
Miocic has worked his way up to No. 4 in the division. He was supposed to fight Dos Santos earlier this year, but an injury to JDS prevented that. Instead, Miocic knocked Fabio Maldonado senseless in Brazil.
Now we get to see the big boys throw down.
Fireworks may not begin to describe this fight. They throw to end fights early. Miocic vs. Dos Santos is a phenomenal main event.
No. 8: Donald Cerrone vs. Myles Jury
9 of 16
Event: UFC 182
The co-main event to UFC 182 is a lightweight matchup between No. 4-ranked contender Donald Cerrone and No. 8-ranked Myles Jury.
The two have been jawing back and forth on social media, and the UFC put together the Top 10 lightweight matchup.
Jury's ascension in the division has only helped deepen the ranks at 155. It is not just deep with talent but with legitimate title contenders. Jury has looked sensational in his recent fights. He will give Cerrone a tough challenge at UFC 182.
No matter where in the Octagon this fight takes place, it will be at a high level.
Potential title implications also help bolster this fight as one of the best in the coming months.
No. 7: Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort
10 of 16
Event: UFC 184
Chris Weidman, UFC middleweight champion, had one of the best fights of 2014 at UFC 175 against Lyoto Machida. He retained his title and awaited Vitor Belfort.
Belfort has been lobbying for this fight for some time, and we are finally going to get it.
The storyline behind this fight helps elevate it, and their respective styles are pleasing to fans. Unfortunately, this isn't a matchup that signals greatness.
Weidman's wrestling could sap Belfort's energy early and make this a one-sided fight. If this fight doesn't end early, it is difficult to see how the Brazilian takes the gold. Weidman may cruise after the initial five minutes. Regardless, it is still one of the best fights coming up on the UFC's schedule.
UFC gold and name value put this fight at No. 7.
No. 6: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson
11 of 16
Event: UFC on Fox 14
No. 1-ranked light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson takes on No. 3-ranked Anthony Johnson in the UFC on Fox 14 main event.
Gustafsson came very close to dethroning Jon Jones in 2013 but came up just short. He got back on the path toward a title shot with a dominant win over Jimi Manuwa earlier in 2014. Johnson returned to the UFC and immediately introduced himself as a top contender by knocking off Phil Davis.
Johnson's knockout power and athleticism pose interesting threats to Gustafsson. Gustafsson's length will make it difficult for the American to get inside to use it.
The winner will be next in line for a title shot.
Gustafsson and Jones had a Fight of the Year, and the rematch could be one of the top fights in 2015 if he can get by Johnson. He cannot look past Johnson, and should he upset Gustafsson, it is another new face to come up and challenge for the UFC belt.
This is a fight the UFC needs, and no matter who comes out on top, the UFC gets a big 205-pound title fight.
No. 5: Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
12 of 16
Event: UFC 181
Coming in at No. 5 is the UFC 181 co-main event for the UFC's lightweight championship.
Champion Anthony Pettis will finally defend the gold after winning it more than a year ago. Injuries and The Ultimate Fighter put a title defense on the back burner. He takes on the top contender in Gilbert Melendez.
It says a lot that this only comes in at No. 5 on the list.
Pettis brings in some of the most entertaining and dynamic strikes in the sport, and Melendez is a dogged veteran who can mix it up with the best. Pettis has improved his defensive wrestling and his submission skills to round out his game.
They coached TUF 20, but all it did was prolong the waiting for a fight we wanted to see months ago.
2014 is not over just yet, and this fight could make a case for Fight of the Year if both fighters are on their A-game.
No. 4: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
13 of 16
Event: UFC 181
This looked like a good fight on paper before they fought at UFC 171 earlier in 2014. It was a fight that would have cracked the top 10 on this list but maybe not the top five given the depth of great fights. However, they exceeded expectations with a potential Fight of the Year slugfest.
Can the rematch live up to the first? Unlikely, but Hendricks and Lawler are not the kind of fighters to go in conservative.
That should give us all hope that we get another amazing welterweight title fight.
Hendricks came out the more injured fighter, but he came out as the champion. We haven't seen him since. Lawler exited the fight and got right back in the cage to win fights over Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown to earn the rematch.
The main event at UFC 181 should be another remarkable battle.
No. 3: Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano
14 of 16
Event: UFC 184
We have been waiting for Ronda Rousey to have a legit challenger, someone to equal her inside the cage. We thought that may be Sara McMann, but it wasn't.
Cat Zingano earned her title shot with a win over Miesha Tate, but an injury forced her out. She returned in 2014 and defeated Amanda Nunes to reclaim the title shot.
What makes Zingano a threat to Rousey?
Zingano is one of the few true athletes in the division. She has excellent jiu-jitsu, knockout power and good strength to go with it. Rousey may not be able to shrug Zingano off as easily as she has others. Rousey has consistently improved her overall game. It's scary that she hasn't reached her ceiling yet.
If Zingano starts slow again, this fight won't exit the first round.
This is one of the best shots the division has at putting a legitimate contender in the cage with Rousey. Zingano has all the tools to execute inside the Octagon.
No. 2: Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz
15 of 16
Event: UFC 183
There is no title on the line. All there is in this fight is the return of the greatest MMA fighter ever and the return of one of the most polarizing fighters ever.
Their styles will make this one of the most exciting fights for however long it may go. Diaz is a trash-talker, Silva is a showboater. They love to exchange strikes.
Silva should have the decided edge, but he is an aging fighter well past his prime. He has been knocked out, and we do not know how well he will hold up if Diaz tags him. On the other side of the coin, Diaz is one of the most durable fighters and will make Silva open up.
The lead-up to the event, the staredown and potential for in-fight antics make this one of the most highly anticipated fights ever in the UFC. This is just pure fun. That's it.
Silva. Diaz. That's all I need to say.
No. 1: Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier
16 of 16
Event: UFC 182
We have talked about exciting fighters. We have talked about stylistic matchups. We have talked about stars, pre-fight builds and championship bouts. We have not talked about a fight that hits every single mark. Every one.
Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones hate each other. They have been going back and forth for a couple of years, and when Cormier dropped to light heavyweight, everyone was waiting for this fight.
Once Alexander Gustafsson came up injured, the UFC gave it to us. Then it was pushed back.
Pre-fight shenanigans usually happen on fight week, but Jones and Cormier gave us an early brawl at a press event already. The video went viral, adding more heat to the fight. The vitriol spewed between the two has only helped sell the fight, and we haven't yet discussed the fight itself.
Cormier could very well be the toughest challenger Jones will ever face. He was a potential heavyweight title threat who comes down with elite-level wrestling and good hands.
This is the elite of the elite. The best of the best. It is everything combat sport fans want in a title fight.
It is the No. 1 fight we are waiting for, and Jones and Cormier are capable of delivering a fight that is deserving of the build. One month more of waiting.
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