MMA: 5 Potential Great Fights Outside the UFC

After the fall of Pride Fighting Championships, promotions outside the UFC were usually relegated to matching up whatever two names they had that were near the same size. There wasn't much need for a matchmaker because, basically, they just put together their only options.

These days, that is not the case. Promotions like Strikeforce and Bellator have been consistently making meaningful acquisitions and their rosters are beginning to show a long list of talented and noteworthy fighters. And they are continuing to build.

Once again, there are plenty of significant fights happening outside the UFC. For all of Strikeforce's faults, you cannot deny that they have more options for big fights than any other non-Zuffa promotion.

Here are five matchups outside the UFC that would be foolish to go unmade.

5. Dan Henderson Vs. Gegard Mousasi

Dan Henderson is one of the most accomplished fighters in the sport. He is one of only three fighters to hold major titles in two weight classes, and the only fighter to hold them at the same time.

Mousasi is the current Dream light heavyweight champion and the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.

Both fighters are two of the biggest stars in Japanese MMA, but Mousasi is mostly only known by the hardcore fans in America. Still, if this bout were to be made, it would be a massive fight wherever it took place.

Strikeforce has this match sitting on their lap and they would be foolish to not put it together.

Who would you pick?

4. Hector Lombard Vs. Ronaldo

There has been quite a bit of talk about a fight between Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, but a matchup of the two promotions' middleweight champs would be equally attractive.

Hector Lombard is currently on a 16-fight winning streak, most recently winning a five-round unanimous decision over Bellator tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko.

Jacare Souza is undefeated in Strikeforce with wins over Matt Linland, Joey Villasenor and, most recently, Tim Kennedy for the vacant middleweight title.

Both fighters are well-rounded athletes with similar builds. Who would you pick?

3. Fedor Emelianenko Vs. Josh Barnett

This bout has been attempted multiple times, but something always went wrong. Strikeforce now has Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett under contract and they should make this fight as soon as possible while it is still a possibility.

Fedor is coming off the first legitimate loss of his career, and Barnett has been traveling the world fighting mediocre opponents for the last year, so obviously this fight would have been bigger 12 months ago. Still, this would be a tremendous fight for Strikeforce and would mean a ton to each fighter's legacy.

The winner of the bout should get a crack at the Strikeforce heavyweight champion. Who do you pick?

2. Nick Diaz Vs. Jason

This is the kind of fight that requires little from the promoter to get the fans interested.

After an after-fight brawl between the two and subsequent clashes, Nick Diaz and Jason Miller have traded insults consistently through the media. Miller is begging for the fight, while Diaz would welcome it if he didn't have to move up in weight.

Diaz holds a title at welterweight, but Miller insists on Diaz moving up to middleweight to make the fight happen. Really, it seems Diaz is holding the chips here as he has a belt and is the bigger star. Miller has made welterweight before and I think he will again if that is what it takes to make this match.

This would be a main event with a lot of buzz as the main event of a Strikeforce event, if they strike while the iron is hot. Who do you see winning?

Alistair Overeem Vs. Fabricio Werdum

Why would anyone not want to see the top two heavyweights in Strikeforce face off?

Fabricio Werdum is clearly a top-rated heavyweight after impressive wins over Antonio Silva and Fedor Emelianenko. The only fight he should be involved in is a challenge for Strikeforce's title against someone he already holds a win over.

Alistair Overeem is the Strikeforce heavyweight champ, most recently defending it with a first-round stoppage over Brett Rogers. Overeem lost a 2006 bout to Werdum by second-round submission and should be looking for revenge.

This is the biggest fight Strikeforce can make and I would be very disappointed if we don't see it in 2011. Who would you pick?