Ten Dream MMA Fights: Who Would Win?

In any sport there are match-ups that are considered to be "dreams" in the eyes of fans, those of which would never happen.  They may be of teams or just specific individuals. This much is for sure though; everyone would like to see them happen.

The world of Mixed Martial Arts has the most potential matches, which have a higher likelihood of actually happening.  

Since boxing does not have the chutzpah to consistently put top bouts on, so leave it to the UFC and MMA in general to make them happen. 

The man in the above picture is the mastermind behind the match-making and typically pits fighters in scenarios that fans like to see.

Dana White's ability to listen to the fans puts his company over the top as the top fight organization in the world, not to mention the fastest growing sport.

These dream matches may or may not ever happen, but at least it's something to just dream.  

10. Shinya Aoki Vs. B.J. Penn

Shinya Aoki is one of the best submission specialists in the world.  His reign in DREAM at Lightweight is one of the best the sport has ever seen.  

He has been dominant in Japan, boasting a 25-4-0 (1) record on his home turf.  The setting would play a major factor in a match-up of this magnitude.  Aoki is of legendary status in Japan; as Penn is in America.

Penn is the true definition of the discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, winning championships across the world in that particular style.  

Though he is still dangerous on his back, Penn would be in trouble in this position against a fighter of Aoki's caliber.  Penn showed his age in two recent fights with Frankie Edgar and this would definitely come out in spades again against Aoki.

The younger, quicker Aoki would exploit Penn and show his vulnerability. I truly believe that even a year ago, Penn's striking would have been able to defeat Aoki.  But as of right now, it would be Aoki by decision in a close, tough battle.  

9. Lyoto Machida Vs. Gegard Mousasi

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida celebrates his victory over UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (not pictured) in their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, Cali

Gegard Mousasi and Lyoto Machida are among the top 205-pound fighters in the world.  They each have a unique style that would keep the opponent off-balance throughout the fight.  But ultimately, striking would be the difference in this fight.

Machida is one of the most unorthodox fighters in the sport and has only been figured out once in his long career.  Mauricio "Shogun" Rua knocked him out in the very first-round back in May, but many don't see "The Dragon" being stopped like this again for a while.  

His unique methods of training, paired with precise striking are a deadly combination that have fighters struggling when facing him.

Mousasi's Judo would not be much of a problem for Machida to defend and counter against.  Not to mention that Mousasi has not faced the same level of competition as Machida.  

Machida by TKO via Strikes in Round 3.

8. Frank Mir Vs. Randy Couture

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PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 28: UFC heavyweight fighter Randy Couture weighs in at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira Weigh-In at the Rose Garden Arena on August 28, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

This is a fight that just about every MMA fan is hoping to see at some point.  The 47-year-old "Natural" against MMA's top ground tactician of all-time.  Actually, two of the best UFC heavyweights of all-time. Frank Mir and Randy Couture, most likely happening at the neutral site of Las Vegas, Nev.

Mir is one of the most well-rounded heavyweights of this era, while Couture might just be the greatest MMA fighter ever. This fight would have a huge hype surrounding it, and could happen at some point in the future.

Dana White and Co. ought to be salivating over the possibility of a match of this magnitude and now is the perfect time for it to occur.

There's no telling how this fight would go to be quite honest.  Randy Couture is too cagey to let Frank Mir win this bout, even at age 47, Couture has proved he can stand in there with the very best.  

Frank Mir, albeit somewhere in the middle-of-the-pack currently, is one of the best we've seen this generation.  Couture's high wrestling pedigree would be too much for Mir.  This is one UFC fight that really needs to happen.

Couture via decision in an epic battle.

7. Gilbert Melendez Vs. Benson Henderson

Gilbert Melendez is one of the most underrated fighters in MMA.  By defeating Shinya Aoki, he proved his legitimacy against top-flight contenders.

That decisive victory at Strikeforce: Nashville was the biggest of his young career.  Melendez, a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, is still among the best 155-pounders and can stand in the cage with anyone.

Benson Henderson, WEC's current Lightweight Champion, is a complete fighter at 155.  His skills are no longer challenged in the WEC, (except for his next bout with Anthony Pettis) perhaps a shift to UFC's 155-pound division is imminent for Henderson.  His cardio is among the best in the sport and he is a freak athlete for his weight class.  

Henderson, a black belt in Taekwondo, has a rather unique style.  This, coupled with his solid build, make him one of the most dangerous 155-pounders in the world.  

Melendez would have an edge with his great wrestling background, but Henderson combats this with his submission technique.  This would be a very intriguing bout that could happen someday.

Henderson via Submission in Round 4 .

6. Nick Diaz Vs. Nate Diaz

The Diaz Brothers would never compete against each other but it's okay to dream, right?  This would be a highly anticipated fight, they're brothers, they know each other so well, in fact they are mirror images of one another. 

While Nick Diaz is the better of the two, one of the very best in the world in fact, something tells me that this match would be very close.  These are two world-class fighters that have each other's scouting reports down to a T.  

They are both students of BJJ and are highly accredited in the school, though Nick is a Black Belt and Nate only holds Brown.

Nick would oust his little brother in a close bout.  His skill-set is a bit higher and the older brother advantage would be in his corner.

Nick Diaz via Decision. 

5. Junior Dos Santos Vs. Cain Velasquez

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC fighter Cain Velasquez poses after his victory over UFC fighter Ben Rothwell (not pictured) in their Heavyweight bout at UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Vela

These two men are the fastest rising heavyweights in the world and this fight could very well happen.  With Cain Velasquez in line for a title shot at UFC 121 and Junior dos Santos next in line, these two may meet in 2011 or at least some time in the future.  

Velasquez and dos Santos are a lot alike.  They are both heavy hitting big men who are hungry for a UFC title and the chance to prove that they are the best in the world.  They each are undefeated at this point in their young UFC careers and will both be future champions.

Velasquez, a two-time D-1 All-American, is an underrated wrestler and is one of the most complete heavyweights in the business.  His mat skills, along with great stand-up would cause trouble for Dos Santos in this "arms race."

dos Santos is trained by some of the top fighters of all-time in Antonio Minotauro Nogueira and Anderson Silva.  This would work to his advantage as his schooling is superior to Velasquez's.  

Black House, run by Ed Soares has helped dispense some of the top Brazilian talent in the world and continues to be a factory of MMA fighters.

Velasquez via Round 2 TKO.

4. Jon Jones Vs. Rashad Evans

Jon Jones is one of MMA's deadliest strikers and most impressive physical specimen.  His reach is out of this world and no one has even come close to challenging this humble New Yorker.  

Bones' all-around game and precise striking is what gives opponents such trouble with him.  Fighters simply do not know how to game-plan for Jones.

Rashad Evans, a former UFC champion, would present a great challenge for Jones.  In fact, his D-1 wrestling background would give him an obvious edge over the younger Jones.

Evans puts himself in position to be the best at his particular craft by training with the very best in the game. 

This would be a very close match that would pit two top fighters in the octagon.  This fight should happen at some point in the future.

Evans via decision.

3. Frankie Edgar Vs. Jose Aldo

Another Champion vs. Champion battle is exactly what MMA needs right now.  Who better to participate than these two electric competitors?

Jose Aldo, a top pound-for-pound fighter, perhaps the fastest in the sport.  Frankie Edgar, newly anointed 155-pound King and also a speedster, which came through in spades against B.J. Penn in back-to-back wins.

Aldo is a ball of dynamite. Simply put, he is MMA's king of the mighty mites right now with consistently solid performances at WEC.  His style is unique and very complex to figure out.  

Edgar is one of the best game-planners in the sport.  In his last two fights, his speed-first mentality against an aging Penn was the difference as he was able to run Penn ragged.  Edgar puts his work in to be the better fighter when the bell sounds.

Aldo though is a type of fighter that mirrors Edgar very much.  Their similar styles would make for an interesting match with many fireworks throughout.  If you're Edgar though, is it easier or harder to prepare to fight someone so similar to yourself?

Aldo via decision in a Fight of The Year candidate.  Instant classic.

2. Anderson Silva Vs. Georges St. Pierre

This fight would be between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world and would be nearly impossible to call.  

A bout of this magnitude would ultimately determine P4P King of the MMA World.  They need to make this fight before Silva retires. GSP has faced all comers and now needs to square off against a top challenger, Anderson Silva.

These are two of the top strikers in MMA history and would put on a classic bout.  Anderson Silva, known for his trash-talk and brashness would smooth the fan favorite Canadian St. Pierre over in an attempt to get the psychological advantage.

Silva has established himself as the apex champion.  GSP would be next in line to Silva as both men have dominated their respective weight classes for quite some time.  Silva's style would be something new for St. Pierre  

St. Pierre has the style and technique over the Brazilian and would be able to bring him to the ground at will IMO.  Silva though would put up an amazing back-and-forth fight that would be one for the ages.

St. Pierre via split decision to become P4P King.

1. Fedor Emelianenko Vs. Brock Lesnar

The top two Heavyweights in the entire world in the same..OCTAGON.

Fedor brushed Dana White and the UFC aside in favor of rival company Strikeforce. 

"The Last Emperor" may very well be the greatest fighter in history, yet has never stepped foot in the 8-sided cage before, therefore he has not faced the best possible competition.

Lesnar is the best that the UFC has to offer and is a freak athlete for his size. A fight like this would be UFC’s equivalent to Pacquiao-Mayweather if that one ever takes place.  

The PPV draw in a fight like this would do major business and put MMA over the top forever.  Fans want to see this fight and White often times delivers.  So never rule something like this out.

Fedor would take Lesnar to the ground in this epic duel and most likely eat him up in that position, forcing the UFC Champ to tap for a second time in his young career.