Top 10 Fantasy Fights of 2010

OK fight fans, seeing as 2010 is just around the corner I thought we could take a look at some fights that fans have dreaming of for some time. I don't want to bore you too much so we will just jump right in. These fights are in no particular order

Fedor Emlianenko vs. Allistair Overeem

This fight is closer to happening than you may think. Overeem has said he wants to fight Fedor, though he also said he would  prefer the fight to be in Japan under the Dream promotion (fueling steroid speculation even further). However he didn't rule out fighting under the Strikeforce banner also. I for one would prefer the latter. Seeing two top-10 heavyweights clash on what is likely to be national TV would be fantastic. With the news that Fabricio Werdum (who was speculated to get the next shot at Fedor) might be fighting Andrei Arlovski, and Fedor scheduled to fight again in April, that might be too quick of a turnaround leaving the door wide open to make this fight happen.

Overeem presents a problem both from a physical and talent standpoint. This could be a war, and in all likelihood one of the most memorable fights ever. If Fedor wins, you cannot deny his ability and can no  longer say he only holds wins against "cans.
If Overeem were to win it...the world might end. He would be Strikeforce's reigning champion with a win over the most dominant man in the sport over the last 10 years. He'd be the man to destroy the  "Terminator," and his popularity would rise beyond imagination. This would be a fight for the ages, and one I hope to see soon.

Rashad Evans vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

The hate between these two is genuine. As a matter of fac,t Rampage recently announced he was coming back from retirement just to fight Rashad, shut Dana up (his words not mine), and finish out his contract.

They let this hate build up for an entire season of TUF, and even if Rashad cant get past Thiago Silva at UFC 108, I'm completely sure Rashad and Rampage will still want this fight. Dana will have no problem setting this up. This has trilogy potential, of course this is assuming  Rampage will stay in the fight game and not decide to hang the gloves up once his contract is up.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Anderson Silva

This assumes that Shogun manages to beat Lyoto Machida in May of next year, so this fight would have to be late 2010.  Anderson has talked many times about moving up to Light-Heavyweight and even Heavyweight in an attempt to win the titles in those weight classes. However, his good friend and fellow camp mate Lyoto Machida is the current LHW champ and the two have  made it clear that they will not fight each other under any circumstances.

If Shogun can slay the Dragon, this fight writes itself. Anderson, who has already dispatched two LHWs in dominating fashion, seeks to avenge his friend while th warrior that is Shogun has finally attained that title he has always wanted. Title vs. Title, revenge on the mind of Silva, cementing his legacy as the best 205'er ever on the mind of Shogun. This could be bigger than GSP-BJ Penn. Dana must be salivating at the thought

Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira vs. Frank Mir II

You know the story. Two world class BJJ Martial Artists, possibly the best grapplers in the HW division, met once for the interim Heavyweight Title. Frank Mir knocked down Nogueira much to the surprise of fans everywhere, and  finished the man who had a reputation for never being finished. Only later did we find out Nogueira was in the hospital with a wicked staph infection two weeks prior to the fight, leaving fans wanting part two.

You could argue that if Nog hadn't been close to death weeks earlier that perhaps he wouldn't have been stopped, that he was on his way to a title shot, and at 100 percent  the only man who could top him would be Fedor. Others argued that Nog looked sloppy against both Tim Sylvia and Heath Herring, his two fights prior to the Mir bout, specifically mentioning that Herring managed to drop Nog but ultimately decided to let him up where Nog was able to regroup and win the unanimous decision.

Mir, the constant trash-talker seems more determined than ever, and Nog, the fan favorite and respectful legend seems equally focused on getting back on top. Hopefully we see their cross paths again in 2010.

B.J. Penn vs. Jose Aldo

B.J. Penn just got done taking out the last man in the division that was said to have a shot at taking his belt. He completely dismantled Diego Sanchez for four-and-a-half rounds before landing a huge leg kick that opened up a cut on Diego's head that forced the doctor to stop the fight. It was by far his most impressive performance against what was widely considered his  biggest challenge.

Right now all the UFC has to offer B.J. as opponents at 155 are Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar, and Tyson Griffin. None of these three jump out at you as a challenge. To beat B.J. Penn, you need a man that can hang in the stand-up department, can defend the takedown, and if the fight gets taken to the ground wont be overwhelmed by the Prodigy. Insert Jose  Aldo.

Insane stand-up that draws comparisons to Anderson Silva, great chin, excellent takedown defense were on display in his most recent fight, winning the title against top wrestler Mike Brown. He is also a Black Belt in BJJ, which we have yet to much of  since all his fights end with his fist hitting the opponent's chin, and the opponent hitting the ground. Give Jose Aldo some time to defend his belt and then put on the weight naturally, and you may have a guy ready to challenge B.J. for the belt. The  only question is, will B.J. have vacated it for bigger dreams? *cough*GSP*cough*

B.J. Penn vs. Shinya Aoki

Long considered the No. 2 Lightweight in the world, Japanese superstar Shinya Aoki has long been dreaming of a chance to fight B.J. Penn.  A world-class grappler, he may be the only guy that can hang with B.J. Penn on the ground, actually presenting a challenge for Penn. However the question is, as it is with all of BJ's opponents, can he stand up and go blow-for-blow with Penn? Many dont think  so.

Combine that with the fact that top wrestlers (well anyone NOT named Georges St. Pierre) have been unable to take B.J. down, making the grappling a nonfactor, it isnt crazy to think B.J. can make short work of Aoki. I mean, Joachim Hansen did. But that  doesnt mean that Aoki doesn't stand a chance. And anytime you can pit the long-reigning champion against the long-time consensus No. 2 fighter in the division, you do so and dont complain one bit about it.

Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi

It came to a shock to many when Dan Henderson decided not to renew his contract with the UFC, opting instead to sign with Strikeforce, which while building a solid stable of fighters slowly, still doesn't have near the big-name fights that Henderson expressed interest in.

A bigger shock might have been Gegard Mousasi exploding on to the scene and dominating Dream's Middleweight Grand Prix, capturing the title, and then disposing of Renato Sobral and Rameau Thierry Sokodjou in  Strikeforce, becoming the Strikeforce LHW champ in the process. His name is being thrown around in the realm of Lyoto Machida and Shogun Rua as the top 205'ers in the world.

Henderson would be a huge step up in competiton for Mousasi. The iron-chinned veteran is one of the best wrestlers in the sport and has a right hook that can kill a bull, but how would he handle the young, uber-talented Mousasi? Mousasi is well-rounded, and we have seen Henderson submitted before (see: Rogerio  Nogueira), but Hendo can also overwhelm fighters by smothering them, not to mention he has beaten some of the best in the game.

The Return of Brock Lesnar

Out of action since July of this year after a potential life-threatening illness kept him on the shelf, Lesnar may be out until next July, possibly even further. Mir wants a rubber match. Shane Carwin offers an opponent with equal size and power, and a near equal in wrestling. Rodrigo Nogueira, always the warrior, is a man who has fought several hulking opponents and has seemingly always pulled out the submission victory. And Nogueira's protege Junior Dos Santos is quickly climbing the ranks, finishing opponent after opponent. Throw in the high energy Cain Velasquez and you have several opponents that all want that strap around Brock's waist, all of which would be exciting matchups.

Doctors say Lesnar was operating at about 70 percent of his full potential due to his intestinal problems. Can he come back and be the same? Can he be better? We may not find out for awhile. And whether you like him or not, he brings fans and excitement to the sport and I for one can't wait to see the big guy back in action.

Brian Bowles vs. Miguel Angel Torres II

The seemingly untouchable Bantamweight champ Miguel Angel Torres was supposed to dispatch Brian Bowles. I mean, the guy hadn't lost a fight since 2003 and hadn't been finished in his mixed martial arts career. That is until he met Mr. Bowles. A  heavy underdog to say the least, this was only Bowles' eighth professional fight, compared to the 30-plus of Torres.

They came out and were getting a feel for one another when Bowles rocked Torres, Torres came back and held off Bowles until he was taken down. They were stood up and it looked like Torres was about to put the pedal to the metal, backing Bowles up with a flurry and then BAM! A counter right lands and drops Torres. Bowles jumped right on him and finished with some ground-and-pound.

I don't think anyone can say it was a fluke, but its only a matter of time until they square off again. And now that Torres knows what he is  up against, maybe the outcome will be different.

And finally........

Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre

The superfight to end all superfights. GSP is cleaning out his division. Hughes, Alves, Fitch, Serra, Koscheck, and B.J. Penn have all fallen to the current Welterweight champ. Nobody is giving Dan Hardy much more than a puncher's chance, if that. 

Anderson has equally dominated his division, and has been looking outside the division for a challenge. Maybe he shouldn't be moving up; maybe GSP should come to him. Fans have wanted it forever. GSP says he wants to defend his belt at WW more times than Matt Hughes did, and also would like to put on the weight over a period of time, naturally.

Between Anderson's elite striking and GSP's elite wrestling and ground game, this could be the biggest fight in the history of MMA. The winner would no doubt be in a class all his own and etched in the history books together. Matt Hughes had seven title defenses as WW champ. GSP is at three, four if  he gets past Hardy. Are the fans going to get to see this epic clash of titans, or is this going to be one for the "What could have  been..." column?

And there you have it. I left Fedor vs. Brock off for a reason. I think it will be at least another year or two before we  might get to see it, if we ever do. Feel free to comment on these or any other fight you would have liked to see on this list.