The 5 Best Non-UFC Fights to Watch This Summer

Although other fight organizations have fallen by the wayside during the UFC's promotion of Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor this summer, there are still good fights to be found throughout the vast land of mixed martial arts.

Whether those are entrancing matchups of mirror-image skill sets or showdowns between some of the sport's most prolific finishers, MMA has a lot of offer over the next few months.

While it's often difficult for outlets to match the oomph put forth by the UFC on a month-to-month basis, big names still exist beyond the Zuffa walls.

Here are the five best fights scheduled to take place beyond the Octagon this summer.

Rousimar Palhares vs. Jake Shields

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Depending on your appetite for action, a chest-to-chest grappling match may not be your slice of pie.

But when it comes to professional fighters who possess dangerous skill sets on the ground, WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares and former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields fit the bill to a tee.

As two of the best grappling specialists in the game today, and with both having won their first two appearances under the WSOF banner via submission, their matchup at WSOF 22 in August should be a truly masterful chess match.

Shields will have to utilize his bigger frame to adjust accordingly or he'll need the jaws of life to rid himself of one of the Brazilian's vise-grip submissions.

Tyrone Spong vs. Mike Kyle

It's a shame that Tyrone Spong hasn't made a full-time jump to MMA.

Instead, the 29-year-old Dutchman continues to add to his 74 career kickboxing victories while his in-cage win total resides at an underwhelming two over the past three years.

Not to mention the Blackzilian striking coach hasn't competed inside an MMA bout since August 2013, due in part to a broken leg he suffered last year.

Needless to say, Spong's return is highly anticipated, especially considering it comes against a seasoned veteran like Mike Kyle.

The 35-year-old Kyle will have his shot to shock the world opposite the Surinamese striker at WSOF this August.

Pat Curran vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Curran may not hold the Bellator featherweight title anymore, having lost to current champion Patricio Freire back at Bellator 123, but he remains one of the most entertaining fighters in the promotion.

His popularity is not only due to his his pinpoint striking and timely combinations, but also his ability to absorb damage and stay dangerous late into a fight.

Luckily for fight fans willing to tune in on June 26 to watch Bellator 139 for free, Curran will take center stage once again opposite divisional newcomer Emmanuel Sanchez.

As the latest prospect to come out of Duke Roufus' Milwaukee lair, the 24-year-old submission expert possesses the well-rounded skill set to test Curran at every turn.

It's a step up in competition after filling in for an injured Goiti Yamauchi, but El Matador has one of the best camps around fueling his engine.

Douglas Lima vs. Andrey Koreshkov

Easily one of the most overlooked fighters in the world today, Bellator welterweight kingpin Douglas Lima is scheduled to fight for the first time in nearly 15 months at Bellator 140 next month.

The 27-year-old has been on a torrid pace in the cage over the past six years, compiling a 12-1 record with 10 finishes since the start of 2010.

He'll attempt to regain his footing atop the throne after a lengthy absence opposite the confident and super athletic Russian Andrey Koreshkov, who has fierce knee strikes and dangerous power in his arsenal.

Since this bout features two fighters who have only lost to former Bellator champion Ben Askren over the past half-decade, it could turn into one of the best fights of the year.

Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino vs. Faith Van Duin

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

While it's true that Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino needs to adjust her weight in order to one day fight UFC women's bantamweight champion and pound-for-pound standout Ronda Rousey, it's still interesting to see her fight at 145.

With unparalleled and unquestioned power in each and every one of her strikes, the former Strikeforce champion is a wrecking ball with no remorse.

Her opponent at Invicta FC 13 early next month is a New Zealander by the name of Faith Van Duin, who has only six professional fights to her pretty awesome name.

This will undoubtedly be the biggest fight Van Duin will ever be a part of, but it's difficult to fathom a juggernaut like Cyborg not folding the inexperienced title challenger early and violently.

There aren't many headlining fights out there solely worth the price of admission, but Justino is one of the hottest tickets in town right now, and she will be helping to rein in the promotion's Las Vegas debut.

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