25 MMA Fights We Want To See Scheduled Again

There is something about a rematch that captures the focus of the MMA world. Whether it be a chance at revenge for one fighter or an opportunity for both fighters to settle a draw they may have had in their last fight, rematches provide plenty of drama and intrigue.

Many MMA promotions, such as the UFC, are more than willing to schedule rematches between two fighters as long as there is a demand for it from the fans. As you will see, a number of the rematches on this list have actually already been scheduled by the UFC.

Let's take a look at the 25 fights that we most want to see scheduled again.

Jake Shields vs. Carlos Condit

The last time these two fighters met, Jake Shields defeated Carlos Condit by unanimous decision to win the 2006 ROTR Welterweight Tournament.

Since then, Condit has grown by leaps and bounds as a fighter. Now, Condit is looking to earn his first title shot in the UFC, as he prepares to face off against B.J. Penn.

If Shields remains in the welterweight division, there is a good possibility that these two elite welterweights could meet again.

Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz

Now that Tito Ortiz has salvaged his career, a rubber match with Forrest Griffin may be in his future. Ortiz and Griffin fought at UFC 59 and UFC 106, with the fighters each taking a fight by split decision.

A third fight between these two evenly matched former champions would bring some closure to their series with one another.

Yushin Okami vs. Jake Shields

Prior to his fight against Carlos Condit in the finals of the 2006 ROTR Welterweight Tournament, Jake Shields squared off against Yushin Okami. The closely contested bout ended in a majority decision victory for Shields.

Although Okami now fights at middleweight, there is a chance that Shields may try to test the waters at 185 pounds before his career is over. Before signing with the UFC, Shields had held the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.

Quinton Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida

At UFC 123, Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida met in a pivotal fight for both light heavyweights. After a back-and-forth contest, Jackson walked away with a narrow split decision victory.

Since the loss to Jackson, Machida has gotten back on track with a knockout of Randy Couture. Depending on what happens with Jackson's title fight against Jon Jones, there is a possibility that these two former champions could get the chance to fight to a more definitive ending in a rematch.

Rashad Evans vs. Tito Ortiz

After fighting to a draw with Rashad Evans at UFC, Tito Ortiz lost three straight fights and appeared to be on his way out of the UFC.

However, an upset win over Ryan Bader allowed Ortiz to keep his job and resulted in the opportunity to step in to fight Rashad Evans as a late replacement for Phil Davis.

Slightly more than a month ago, it seemed that this rematch ever happening would have been about as likely as Ortiz keeping his job. Now, these two former champions may be fighting for a shot at reclaiming their title.

Rashad Evans vs. Quinton Jackson

After plenty of trash talk as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, Quinton Jackson pulled out of a scheduled fight with Rashad Evans. When the two finally did meet at UFC 114, a seemingly unmotivated Jackson was defeated by Evans in lackluster fashion.

Since then, Jackson seems to have turned a switch back on and is fully focused on reclaiming the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. If Jackson and Evans both win their next fights, it is very possible that the two could engage in a title fight.

Mauricio Rua vs. Forrest Griffin

After becoming known as one of the best light heavyweights in the world during his run with Pride, Mauricio Rua met Forrest Griffin his his debut with the UFC.

Rua, who had been injured during his training for the fight, looked sluggish in that fight and was eventually submitted by Griffin in the third round.

Nearly four years later, Rua and Griffin are expected to meet again at UFC 134.

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida

After Phil Davis was forced to withdraw from his UFC 133 bout against Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida nearly stepped in as a replacement in what would have meant a rematch between two former light heavyweight champions.

At UFC 98, Machida dethroned Evans and captured the belt with a second-round knockout. Evans would have loved the chance to avenge that loss, but Machida ended up turning down the potential rematch by asking for more money.

Mauricio Rua vs. Quinton Jackson

Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson last met in the opening round of the 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix. Rua defeated Jackson in fewer than five minutes and proceeded to win the tournament a few months later.

Now, Rua and Jackson are amongst the best fighters in the UFC's light heavyweight division, meaning a rematch could come to fruition before the two fighters decide to call it quits.

Georges St-Pierre vs. Jon Fitch

In August 2008, Jon Fitch was given a chance to fight UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Fitch came up short in that bout and has not been able to earn a rematch despite going undefeated in his six fights since then.

A rematch between these two fighters may not go any differently, but there are few more deserving of a title shot against St-Pierre than Fitch.

Quinton Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin

At UFC 86, Forrest Griffin became UFC light heavyweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Quinton Jackson. Although the decision was controversial, Jackson was never given another shot at the belt until now.

With Jackson and Griffin both preparing for huge fights in the near future, the two fighters could compete for the belt once again if everything plays out just right.

Mauricio Rua vs. Lyoto Machida

After losing controversially to Lyoto Machida at UFC 104, Mauricio Rua was given an immediate rematch at UFC 113. This time, Rua didn't leave the outcome in the hands of the judges, as he finished Machida with a knockout in the first round.

Since Rua has now lost the belt he won by defeating Machida, a rubber match in the near future could be in order.

Georges St-Pierre vs. B.J. Penn

After Georges St-Pierre defeated him for a second time, few thought B.J. Penn would ever attempt to compete for a welterweight title again.

However, after losing the UFC Lightweight Championship to Frankie Edgar, Penn has once again found success at 170 pounds.

With a win over Carlos Condit in his next fight, it is possible that Penn and St-Pierre could meet for a third time.

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

If Brock Lesnar were to meet Frank Mir in his return to the Octagon, it would be his third fight with Mir in eight career fights.

Would anyone complain, though?

The rivalry between the two fighters is entertaining and the fight actually would seem to make sense for both fighters' progression towards a title shot.

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

Anderson Silva's last loss, more than five years ago, came via disqualification for an illegal upkick to the head of Yushin Okami.

Since then, SIlva has won 14 straight fights and become one of the best fighters in the history of the sport. At UFC 134, Silva will finally have the chance to erase his loss to Okami.

Gray Maynard vs. Jim Miller

Since losing to Gray Maynard at UFC 96, Jim Miller has won seven straight fights and earned his position as one of the best lightweights in the division.

If Miller defeats Ben Henderson in his next fight, he will be more than deserving of a title shot, which could come against Gray Maynard, who will be fighting UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in October 2011.

Frankie Edgar vs. Jim Miller

If Gray Maynard loses to at UFC 136, Jim Miller could still be set up for a rematch against UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

Edgar is responsible for one of only two losses on Miller's impressive 20-2 record.

Gilbert Melendez vs. Clay Guida

More than five years ago, Gilbert Melendez captured the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship with a split decision victory over Clay Guida.

Since that fight, Melendez and Guida have become recognized as two of the best lightweights in the world. With Melendez running short on competition in Strikeforce, a move to the UFC and rematch with Clay Guida could be in his future.

Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald

At UFC 115, Carlos Condit appeared to be on his way to a loss against Rory MacDonald. However, a technical knockout in the final seconds of the fight prevented the judges form having their say.

Now, Condit and MacDonald are recognized as two of the fastest-rising contenders in the UFC. Considering their age and talent, it seems that the two will eventually meet again at some point.

Anthony Pettis vs. Ben Henderson

In the final event in the history of the WEC, Anthony Pettis and Ben Henderson went head to head in one of the most exciting title fights in MMA history.

In the fifth and final round, Pettis recorded a knockdown by jumping off of the fence and landing a kick to the head of Henderson.

With both fighters now contending in the UFC lightweight division, their paths are bound to cross again before it's all said and done.

Diego Sanchez vs. Clay Guida

In June 2009, Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez fought to a split decision in a bout that was widely considered the Fight of the Year.

Sanchez now competes at welterweight, but he is more than capable of returning to lightweight at some point before the end of his career. Another fight with Guida would almost be an automatic Fight of the Night winner.

Shane Carwin vs. Brock Lesnar

At UFC 116, two of the hulking individuals in the sport slugged it out in a heavyweight title fight. Despite nearly finishing Brock Lesnar in the first round, Shane Carwin blew his chance at becoming undisputed champion by running out of gas in the second round.

In his last fight, though, Carwin showed that he has the ability to go the distance. If Lesnar comes back healthy from his second bout with diverticulitis, a rematch with Carwin would draw plenty of interest.

Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen

For a moment, it looked as if we might never get to see Chael Sonnen fight inside the Octagon again. Legal troubles plagued Sonnen immediately after his heartbreaking loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117.

Now, Sonnen is scheduled to return for a fight against Brian Stann. With a win, Sonnen could find himself in another fight with Silva.

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

With his win over Urijah Faber at UFC 132, Dominick Cruz evened the series between the two fighters and retained his UFC Bantamweight Championship.

There was talk of an immediate rematch, but both fighters will now have to win their next fights to ensure a third meeting.

Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

At UFC 125, Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar competed in one of the most memorable fights in MMA history. After nearly being finished in the first round, Edgar rallied back to earn a draw on the scorecards.

An immediate rematch has been delayed due to injuries, but both fighters have now said they are ready to meet for the third time at UFC 136 in October 2011.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.