UFC Predictions: Power Ranking The 12 Fighters UFC Should Sign Next
With the MMA world still reeling from the UFC purchase of Strikeforce, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the fighters that Dana White should sign now that he completely controls the MMA landscape.
We all know of the dream fights that we would like to see, but these guys will likely have to be under the UFC banner before we can see them. Although recent comments by White seem to indicate he has softened his stance on co-promoting fights.
Here are 12 fighters that UFC should sign now that it owns the MMA world.
12. Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante
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Still staggering from his knockout loss to Dan Henderson, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante will make a solid addition to the already stout light heavyweight division.
Imagine the stand-up war that Feijao and Rampage Jackson would have if they were ever matched up against each other. That has the potential to be the slugfest of the decade.
11. Sergei Kharitonov
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Sergei Kharitonov is a very well-rounded and disciplined fighter, who seems to be getting better with each fight.
He has struggled at times against better competition, as two of his four losses have come against average fighters Aleksander Emelanenko and Jeff Monson.
That being said, he does have victories over current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem and top-contender Fabricio Werdum.
10. Muhammed Lawal
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Muhammed Lawal doesn't have the well-rounded style that Dana White loves from his fighters—he isn't great on the ground—but he has a really good wrestling base and terrific power that can lead to many exciting knockouts.
Plus, he has room to get better in his MMA, as he has only been fighting professionally for a little over two years.
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9. Jacare Souza
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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Jacare Souza has really found his fighting groove in the last two years.
He is moving up the Middleweight rankings thanks to his terrific performances against Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy last year.
Souza would have the chance to show the MMA world how strong a fighter he really is going against guys like Demian Maia, Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt.
8. Fedor Emelianenko
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In June 2010, Fedor would have ranked right near the top of this list. However, given everything that has happened to The Last Emperor since last summer, he will have to settle for the eighth spot on this list.
Plus, given all the criticism that Dana White has had regarding Fedor, it would be worth the price of admission just to see those two in the same room.
7. Fabricio Werdum
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Fabricio Werdum has already fought for UFC; he was fired in 2008 and went to Strikeforce in 2009. Since leaving, Werdum has put together an impressive 3-0 record with victories over Mike Kyle, Antonio Silva and Fedor Emelianenko.
According to Dave Meltzer of wrestlingobserver.com, UFC contacted Werdum's people to see about getting him back after he defeated Fedor last year.
6. Dan Henderson
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The ageless wonder that is Dan Henderson should return to UFC and finish his career with the biggest MMA organization in the world.
Henderson had his greatest success in PRIDE, where he held championships in two different weight classes at the same time, but he had a pretty good career in UFC.
He lost to Anderson Silva and Rampage Jackson, but those are two of the best ever to compete in the sport. He had good showings against Michael Bisping and Rich Franklin.
Don't ever underestimate Hendo, even at age 40. He will make you look foolish.
5. Gegard Mousasi
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Despite being only 25 years old, Gegard Mousasi has 34 professional fights under his belt. He has a career record of 30-3-1 so far.
He is an immensely talented kickboxer, with some good traditional boxing mixed in. He has really good striking and power. He holds a black-belt in Judo.
The UFC light heavyweight division is already stacked, imagine it with King Mo, Feijao and Mousasi thrown into the mix?
4. Antonio Silva
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Antonio Silva’s stock has never been higher after destroying the legend of Fedor—that’s what he did too, it wasn’t anything that Fedor didn’t do.
UFC has tried to sign Silva before; now would be the best possible time for them to snipe him away from Strikeforce and capitalize on all the momentum he has right now.
3. Gilbert Melendez
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Gilbert Melendez would be best served by taking his talents to UFC right now. He has displayed his immense talent in Strikeforce for a long time now, and he needs to showcase it on the biggest stage that MMA has to offer.
The UFC lightweight division is improving with Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis and Dennis Siver. Adding Melendez to that group would be a major coup for UFC.
2. Eddie Alvarez
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Who doesn't love Eddie Alvarez?
He is an exciting fighter to watch with talent to back up his charisma. While he is the building block for Bellator, if he signed with UFC, he could become a superstar right away; he is that good.
While all the other fighters on this list are from Strikeforce, Alvarez is too good not to include on a list of fighters that UFC should sign.
Besides, UFC will probably control Bellator at some point in the near future at the rate they are going.
1. Alistair Overeem
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Alistair Overeem is a champion in three different organizations right now—Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1—though you can debate the merits of his Strikeforce heavyweight title since he has defended it once in three years. Overeem has gotten better as he has gotten older, and 2010 was his best year yet.
Between kickboxing and MMA, he went 7-1. Granted, he wasn't fighting the best MMA competition in the world, but his accomplishments last year are impressive nonetheless.
Adding Overeem to UFC's somewhat weak heavyweight division would bring some excitement and panache to a division that has been lacking for awhile now.
First things first, though, as Overeem must take on Fabricio Werdum in the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament in June.
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