Brock Lesnar: The 10 MMA Fights We Must See Before He's Done

Brock Lesnar fights always brings excitement into the cage.

He has already defended the UFC heavyweight championship twice--pretty incredible for a guy with only seven professional MMA bouts under his belt.

His success means he can challenge anyone in the heavyweight division, whether they are past or up-and-comers. All but one of his fights have been in the UFC, leaving many fighters outside and some inside the UFC who would make a fan-pleasing match.

No. 10 Brock Lesnar Vs. Mirko Cro Cop

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MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: A pensive Mirko Cro Cop of Croatia walks to the octagon before fighting Gabriel Gonzaga of USA in a Heavyweight bout of the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Manchester Evening News Arena on April 21, 2007 in Man

Cro Cop may only fight once or twice more before he retires, and it could be this year. He was once the mostly dangerous striker in MMA, knocking out opponents with devastating head kicks.

While Cro Cop has always had problems with bigger guys, he boasts good takedown defense and guillotine chokes. Lesnar may be too much for him to handle at this point in his career, but Cro Cop has a big advantage standing up.

Cro Cop fans wouldn't mind seeing Lesnar get kicked in the head--what a way for their hero to go out.

No. 9 Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

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Lashley is only 5-1 in MMA and hasn't fought anyone on level of Lesnar's  opponents.

Still, he and Lesnar share similar fighting styles and wrestling backgrounds. Putting two big stars of professional wrestling against each other in a real fight would ensure wrestling fans worldwide tuned in.

If Lashley eventually finds his way into the UFC and wins, it won't be long before he and Lesnar meet.

No. 8 Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 3

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lesnar defeated Mir by a second round knockout. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Dana White had been hinting at this being a possible fight before Junior Dos Santos was announced opposite of Lesnar on the upcoming season of the Ultimate Fighter.

They both have one win against each other; Mir by kneebar and Lesnar by T(KO). After their second meeting at UFC 100, Mir started building up his muscle weight, topping off at 265 pounds.

The trash talk surrounding their fights generated a lot of emotion in Mir, and Lesnar is always mad at him, meaning a fight between the two would be rollicking from the get-go. 

No. 7 Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko

Everyone remembers the rant Lesnar had during the announcement that he would be fighting Couture:

"Who gives a **** about Fedor Emelianenko? I'm sick and tired of sitting on the phone listening about Fedor. Who ****ing gives a ****?"

When Emelianenko was asked about Lesnar and Bobby Lashley as possible opponents, he responded kindly: "I would be glad to fight them. I never fought anyone like them."

Would Emelianenko be able to handle a fighter that isn't as skilled but holds a tremendous weight advantage? Antonio Silva proved he couldn't, but Lesnar isn't as all-around skilled as Silva.

It's the ultimate good vs. bad match-up featuring the best of both worlds.

No. 6 Brock Lesnar vs. Antonio Silva

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva goes into his fights at 285. Lesnar has the size to hang with him, but does he have the overall skills?

Silva is coming off a second round stoppage win over arguably the greatest fighter ever, Fedor Emelianenko. He showed how he can use his size to impose his skills against a fierce opponent. With that win, he catapulted himself into the top 10 rankings.

If Silva wins the Strikeforce tournament, he may be one of the top two or three ranked fighters in the division. If he finds his way into the UFC, a fight between him and Lesnar would be an interesting match between two of the biggest fighters in the division.

No. 5 Brock Lesnar vs. Roy Nelson

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UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 16: Roy Nelson (White Trunks) of the Lions Den celebrates after beating Brad Imes of the MilesTech Fighting System during their bout presented by the International Fighting League at the Mohegan Sun Arena May 16, 2008 in Uncasville,

Could Nelson and Lesnar be any more different physically?

Nelson is a guy who likes to eat McDonald's food, and his physique proves that. He has the "size" to match Lesnar, and better skills on the ground. Nelson is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and his powerful punch could knock Lesnar out if he connects.

This fight has a good chance of happening if both fighters make it past their next opponents. Nelson fights Frank Mir at UFC 130.

No. 4 Brock Lesnar vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

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PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Antonio Nogueira (L) battles UFC fighter Randy Couture (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Gett

Nogueira isn't the fighter he once was in Pride, but he maintains the desire and skills that many fighters have lost since moving to the UFC.

Nogueira has one of the best guards in MMA, but Lesnar's power might be too much for him at this stage in his career. Nogueira's chin isn't as solid as what it use to be, but he still has the ability to absorb punishment and win in the end. He may be able to pull it off in this fight.

No. 3 Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin 2

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 26: UFC fighter Shane Carwin (pictured) weighs in for his fight against UFC fighter Frank Mir for their Interim Championship Heavyweight fight at UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy Weigh-In on March 26, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by

The first meeting between these two giants was a career defining moment for both. It was the first loss of Carwin's career, and the first time Lesnar showed his heart by coming back to win in the second round.

It's clear that Carwin wasn't the same fighter in the second round that he was in the first. The nonstop barrage in the opening minutes of round one left him looking tired and slow. Lesnay quickly got him down in round two and submitted him.

If Carwin is able to improve his speed and cardio, he'll have the strength—and motivation—to take Lesnar down.

No. 2 Brock Lesnar vs. Junior Dos Santos

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DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19: UFC fighter Mirko Cro Cop (L) is stopped by referee after losing to opponent UFC fighter Junior Dos Santo (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in D

This fight, scheduled at UFC 131 in June, is the best match of the heavyweight division. Both fighters are looking for a title shot, and a win will put them there.

A match between the two will answer the biggest questions for Dos Santos. How is he off his back? Will he be able to keep his composure and control a better wrestler from the bottom? How are his submissions? Can he get back to his feet?

Santos is the best striker in the UFC heavyweight division, and that is Lesnar's weakest area. A win for Lesnar will remove any of the doubts that he can compete with the best.

No. 1 Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem

Overeem is arguably the best striker in MMA right now. His K1 level experience has made him a international star among MMA and kickboxing fans, and he is the best and most successfully fighter competing in both sports at the same time. He fought a total of seven times in 2010.

Both fighters are physically imposing, and Overeem has one of the most powerful clinches and knees in the sport. His knockouts come fast and brutal.

No matter which way this fight goes, it will be fireworks from the bell. Neither fighter will back down from exchanging strikes, making this a must-see fight.