8 Cross-Divisional Matchups We'd Love to See in the UFC
Ever wonder who would win a fight between John Rambo and John McClane?
Or Terminator and Hulk Hogan?
Sure you have.
And don't worry—it's perfectly normal for that undying curiosity to trickle over into the UFC's Octagon.
As the ultimate battleground for warriors of all shapes and sizes, the eight-sided death cage rewards the elite and spits out the feeble.
So it's completely understandable to envision the UFC's most prized fighters going toe-to-toe in a magical setting driven by fantasy and fandom.
It's something we all think about.
Here are eight cross-divisional matchups we'd love to see inside the infamous Octagon.
Demetrious Johnson vs. T.J. Dillashaw
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UFC champions Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson and T.J. Dillashaw could be real close to fighting.
With Johnson's flyweight realm lacking sufficient and immediate threats, as well as Dillashaw's division littered with injured contenders and friendly foes, their blazing-fast paths could eventually cross.
Now while Johnson's experience and overall quickness would make him a favorite in such a matchup, Dillashaw's evolution and natural athleticism have all the means to spark an upset.
Regardless of the outcome, this cross-divisional battle of speed and precision would help shed some light on just how prolific and dangerous the smaller weight classes can be.
Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
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If talking trash was a prerequisite for power, Irish sensation Conor McGregor and lightweight mainstay Nate Diaz would be kings of the world.
But this is MMA, and lip movement doesn't necessarily equate to long-lasting glory.
Luckily for Notorious and Diaz, they have more to offer inside of the cage than just their perfected tendency to make an opponent feel mentally inferior.
With unparalleled athleticism, movement and the innate ability to adapt and overcome, McGregor would most likely have the upper hand should this battle of the bad boys ever happen.
But Diaz is a human punching bag and never seems to shy away from contact, so all bets would be off.
Donald Cerrone vs. Carlos Condit
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With some of the best kickboxing offenses in the UFC, Donald Cerrone and Carlos Condit would set the Octagon ablaze should they ever find themselves as opposing forces.
This is obviously a matchup that favors Condit due to his size and power, but Cerrone's speed, precision and toughness would allow him to stick around long enough to discover his comfort zone.
Once that happens, he would force Condit to defend in succession with his striking.
And considering both fighters possess chins that have never folded under pressure, UFC fans around the world would salivate the second this fight was announced.
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Ronda Rousey vs. Bryan Caraway
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Based on bad blood and ill-willed Octagon action, UFC champion Ronda Rousey and bantamweight rising contender Bryan Caraway are enemies by association.
Caraway, the boyfriend of Rousey's longtime nemesis Miesha Tate, would love to get his hands on the Queen of Mean and foil her plot to retire undefeated.
As for Rousey, this would be the chance for her to showcase her skill set against a male fighter and have another opportunity to make Cupcake question her existence.
However, despite the fact that Rousey would probably accept a bout opposite Caraway, this fight will literally never happen based on state sanctions and sheer common sense.
I guess the champ will have to stick to reigning over the world of women.
Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexander Gustafsson
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As two of the best technical strikers in the sport today, former heavyweight kingpin Junior Dos Santos and Jon Jones stunt double Alexander Gustafsson would forge a fairly competitive bout.
While The Mauler's recent knockout loss to Anthony Johnson at UFC on Fox 14 leads us to believe that JDS could finish this fight in the first round, Gustafsson's length and speed would play a major role in delaying such a demise.
But with arguably the best chin of all time, Dos Santos would absorb everything that the weaker Gustafsson had to offer.
So that raises the only question we need answering to: Can Gustafsson outpoint and outlast JDS in a three-round war?
Chris Weidman vs. Rashad Evans
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People have forgotten just how good Rashad Evans can be.
With some of the best wrestling skills in the light heavyweight division, Suga often hovers over his opponent, throwing bombs from top position.
Wait a second. Isn't that the same sort of attack that current UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman incorporates?
Close enough.
The fact of the matter is that Weidman and Evans are similar fighters. With strong bases, great takedowns and solid power, they're tough outs for anyone.
And considering Evans recently stated in an interview with MMA Junkie that he would be open to a move down to 185 pounds should teammate Anthony Johnson beat Jon Jones at UFC 187 and claim the light heavyweight strap, this matchup could come to fruition sometime in 2016.
Anthony Pettis vs. Jose Aldo
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With Conor McGregor as the only featherweight contender left on champion Jose Aldo's hit list, there's a good chance the Brazilian phenom moves up to lightweight by the end of 2015.
Now while it's possible that Aldo and McGregor could forge one of the great rivalries in the sport today, it's more likely that Junior retains his title and finally leaves the division behind.
Once that happens, the floodgates for a showdown with current lightweight titleholder Anthony "Showtime" Pettis would open quicker than a candy store on Halloween.
Indeed, this matchup is hugging inevitability, but would it live up to the hype?
It seems like Pettis would be able to do more damage and outlast the smaller Aldo's questionable conditioning.
Jon Jones vs. Cain Velasquez
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Ah, here it is. The be-all, end-all of cross-divisional superfights.
Jon Jones vs. Cain Velasquez. The light heavyweight champion vs. the heavyweight champion.
It's a matchup for the record books and one that is truly a possibility, should Jones finish his tenure at 205 and Velasquez swat away contenders like Fabricio Werdum, Travis Browne and Junior Dos Santos, again.
In any case, Jones will call the heavyweight division home one day, and it's up to Velasquez to be there to welcome him.
And considering Bones just dusted Daniel Cormier at UFC 182, both guys would have the motivation and good reasoning behind such a monumental Octagon exchange.
For more UFC news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell
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