MMA: Top 10 Fights To Look Forward to in March

February has just ended and the UFC is already getting ready for its first event of March. With star power on the main card and preliminary card, UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann promises to be one of the best free events in recent memory.

Outside of the UFC, Strikeforce is scheduled to have multiple title fights in March and Bellator Fighting Championships is set to begin its fourth season. There are even some big-name fights in some of MMA's smaller organizations.

March should bring another great month of MMA action. Here are the top 10 fights that every fan should be looking forward to this month. 

10. Nate Marquardt Vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

In 2010, Nate Marquardt had two opportunities to become the top contender at middleweight. First, Marquardt came up short in a decision against Chael Sonnen. Then, Yushin Okami spoiled Marquardt's run at a title with another close decision.

Yoshihiro Akiyama also had a rough year in 2010. After beating Chris Leben for most of their fight, Akiyama was submitted with only 20 seconds remaining in the fight. Later in the year, Akiyama suffered another loss to Michael Bisping.

Still, all three of Akiyama's fights in the UFC have won Fight of the Night honors. Marquardt has won multiple fight bonuses as well, so fans can expect another exciting fight from these two.

9. Anthony Njokuani Vs. Edson Barboza

Two of the most exciting lightweight strikers in the UFC, Edson Barboza and Anthony Njokuani, will face off at UFC 128.

Njokuani's last seven wins have come by technical knockout or knockout, while Barboza has won six of his seven professional fights by technical knockout or knockout.

In his UFC debut, Barboza looked extremely impressive against Mike Lullo. A Muay Thai black belt, Barboza landed many powerful leg kicks, which eventually resulted in his second straight technical knockout due to leg kicks.

For Njokuani, this fight will be his first in the UFC after a 4-3 stint with the WEC. While with the WEC, Njokuani once earned "Knockout of the Night" honors in three straight fights. 

As long as this fight is standing, there will be potential for a memorable knockout from both fighters. Best of all, this fight will be aired live on Spike TV for all fans with cable to see for free.

8. Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan

Here is another rematch that is sure to draw some interest.

After the controversial decision that went Leonard Garcia's way in the first fight, the two fighters will meet again to give Phan a chance to prove that he is actually the better fighter.

After participating in Season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, Phan's last fight with Garcia was his first with the UFC. The loss was disappointing for Phan, but he later said that he felt like he gained a lot of new fans because of the questionable decision.

After a long run in the WEC, Garcia returned to the Octagon for the first time against Phan. Amazingly, Garcia's last four fights, and five out of his last six, have all been split-decisions for the judges.

Considering that, we may be in store for another close decision between these two fighters. Hopefully, this time it comes without controversy. 

7. Anthony Johnson vs. Dan Hardy

Dan Hardy and Anthony Johnson are both in desperate need of a win. Only one of these high-profile fighters will be able to get back on a winning track when these two fighters meet at UFC Fight Night 24.

After a seven-fight winning streak earned him a shot at the welterweight title, Hardy has now lost two in a row. Most recently, Hardy was knocked out in devastating fashion by Carlos Condit.

Johnson was last seen fighting Josh Koscheck at UFC 106. Because of a knee injury that has forced Johnson to take an extended absence from the Octagon, he has not won a fight since October 2009.

6. Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann

After a disappointing return to the welterweight division, Diego Sanchez rebounded with a big win over Paulo Thiago at UFC 121. Now, Sanchez will be tested with a fight against Martin Kampmann.

Kampmann, who also recently defeated Thiago, is coming off of a strong performance in a loss against top contender Jake Shields.

Kampmann and Sanchez will meet later this week at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann. As both fighters are rising contenders in the welterweight division, the winner of this fight could put himself in position to fight for a title with one or two more wins.

5. Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Windeland

Long considered the face of the WEC, Urijah Faber will finally make his debut in the Octagon at UFC 128 against Eddie Wineland.

Faber will help lead the charge for underappreciated former WEC fighters, hoping to gain the respect and recognition that they deserve. 

Faber has alternated between wins and losses for his last seven fights. However, a drop to bantamweight could be the change that he needs to break that trend.

In his first fight at 135 pounds, Faber submitted Takeya Mizugaki. A win over Wineland would give Faber his first consecutive wins since June 2008. Considering that current UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz has called him out, a win might also give Faber a shot at the title.

Former WEC Bantamweight Champion Wineland is currently on a four-fight winning streak. A fifth-straight win, especially against a fighter like Faber, could give Wineland a chance to reclaim his spot atop the division.

4. Brendan Schaub vs. Mirko Filipovic

Since losing to Roy Nelson at The Ultimate Finale 10, Brendan Schaub has run through all competition that has been put in front of him.

Schaub's recent win over Gabriel Gonzaga has him in a position to become one of the top contenders in the heavyweight division. With a win over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Schaub would likely be in the mix with the division's elite.

In his last fight, Filipovic was knocked out by Frank Mir. Since joining the UFC, Filipovic has had multiple opportunities to defeat heavyweight contenders and has come up short every single time.

It is clear that Filipovic's best years are behind him, but this might be his last opportunity to prove his relevance in the UFC.

3. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Phil Davis

Phil Davis is undefeated in his first eight fights as a professional fighter. Davis will get the biggest test of his career in his next fight, which will come against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

A former NCAA Division One Wrestling Champion, Phil Davis' potential is virtually unlimited. A win over Nogueira would continue Davis' path of destruction and climb to the top.

Meanwhile, Nogueira will try to show that he still has something left in the tank after being defeated by Ryan Bader in his last fight. Even in his fight prior to the bout with Bader, Nogueira looked unimpressive in a split-decision win over Jason Brilz.

2. Rafael Cavalcante vs. Dan Henderson

Rafael Cavalcante will put his Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship on the line against MMA-legend Dan Henderson.

Set to take place at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson this weekend, this fight will be one of two championship fights on the card. The other title fight will be for the women's welterweight championship, as Marloes Coenen fights Liz Carmouche.

After claiming the title from Muhammed Lawal in August 2010, this fight will be Cavalcante's first title defense. In Strikeforce's short history, there has only been one successful title defense, which came in Bobby Southworth's June 2008 win over Anthony Ruiz.

After a disappointing Strikeforce debut against Jake Shields, Dan Henderson rebounded with a dominant win over Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

In addition to showing that he has what it takes to compete still, a win for the 40-year-old Henderson would allow him to become a champion again for the first time since losing in his Pride title-unification bouts in his first two fights with the UFC. 

1. Mauricio Rua vs. Jon Jones

Is there any question what the most highly anticipated fight in March will be?

Jon Jones has been the most hyped fighter in recent MMA history.

Apparently, it has all been for good reason, because the 23-year-old Jones is already scheduled to fight Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones earned his title shot with a win in his last fight against Ryan Bader.

Standing in Jones' way of fulfilling expectations, Rua has defeated three former UFC champions in just five fights with the organization. Although he lost his other two fights with the promotion, Rua is certainly not going to concede his title easily.

This fight has the potential to go down as one of the most meaningful fights in MMA history.

Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @BR_Sean_Smith.