UFC 131: JDS vs. Carwin and the Top 5 Striker vs. Striker Matchups of the Summer

Everybody loves a good knockout, and these five fights guarantee that to the fullest. If not a knockout,  they will be memorable bouts from start to finish, and that makes them can't-miss fights on every MMA fans' calendar.

It all starts this weekend with UFC 131 when heavyweights Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin get into the cage with only one thing on their mind—knockout.

If you are going to miss it, there are plenty of other striker vs. striker matchups coming up that can help make up for it.

No. 5: Ross Pearson vs. Edson Barboza: UFC 134

This lightweight attraction matches up two very exciting strikers who are on their way up in the division.

Ultimate Fighter 9 winner Ross Pearson (12-4) will be looking to get his second win in a row while unbeaten and fast-rising prospect Edson Barboza (8-0) looks to expand his movement up the lightweight ranks.

It all goes down at UFC 134, which will feature a main event between Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami.

This fight has all the makings to steal the show and put Silva vs. Okami on the backburner.

No. 4: Dan Hardy vs. Chris Lytle: UFC Live

Currently riding a three-fight losing streak, Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy (23-9) will be looking to take out every ounce of frustration and anger on MMA veteran Chris "Lights Out" Lytle (30-18-5) at UFC Live, August 14.

This is one of the few fights that doesn't promise a knockout because of the two competitors' chins, but it does promise to be non-stop fight action.

Lytle has never been finished in a career of over 50 fights while Hardy has only been knocked out once in over 30 bouts, which includes a five-round championship bout with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.

No. 3: Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry: UFC Live

Former kickboxers Pat Barry and Cheick Kongo want their shot at the UFC heavyweight title, and they must go through every opponent that stands in their way.

That's good news for fans because they are set to fight June 26 on Versus.

Barry (6-2) has a professional kickboxing record of 18-6-1 while Kongo (15-6-2) went 22-2 in kickboxing.

When you put two elite strikers in the cage, expect to see a stand-up war. Kongo's desire to get a solid victory under his belt should bring the best out of him, and everyone should expect to see it fight night.

No. 2: Chris Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva: UFC 132

The upcoming battle between Chris Leben and Wanderlei Silva has "Fight of the Night" written all over it, and it's guaranteed back-and-forth action as long as their chins hold up to the power each of them possesses.

Leben (25-7) is coming off a devastating knockout loss to Brian Stann while Silva (33-10) hasn't fought since defeating Michael Bisping at UFC 110. Both want to make their intentions clear on where their careers are heading.

Neither fighters' chin is what it use to be, and that makes it an even more exciting fight. Who would be the first to fall? That's the question, but you have to tune into UFC 132 to find out the answer.

No. 1: Junior Dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin: UFC 131

Junior dos Santos (12-1) and Shane Carwin (12-1) will be aiming for each other's head Saturday night, and it all comes down to who lands the first big shot. This is one fight you don't want to blink while it's going on.

Carwin has brutal one-punch knockout power while dos Santos holds a considerable speed and technical advantage over his opponent.

This promises to give fans a vicious knockout, and it will be worth every penny seeing them both exchanging some of the most dangerous punches heavyweight fighters can have.

To make things more exciting, a title shot is on the line.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 131, including the latest UFC 131 results, fight card analysis, UFC 131 news and live reaction from Vancouver.