Alistair Overeem, Eddie Alvarez and the 35 Best Fighters Outside the UFC

The UFC may be the largest MMA promotion in the world with the best stable of talent, but there are a multitude of world-class fighters competing in other organizations scattered over the globe.

Fighters like Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez are often listed in the top five of their respective divisions, and neither guy has ever stepped foot inside the Octagon.

As UFC president Dana White continues his campaign for global expansion, there is a great chance that some of the names on this list will one day compete under the bright lights of the UFC.

If you call yourself a hardcore fan, there shouldn't be many surprises on this list. If not, this list should serve as your guideline and get you up to speed on top fighters who are rarely noted.

Former UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt is not included on this list, as he has yet to fight outside the UFC since being released from the promotion.

Without further ado, here are the 35 best fighters outside the UFC.

Masakatsu Ueda

Former Shooto featherweight champion Masakatsu Ueda may have lost his title, but he maintains a top 10 spot on most bantamweight rankings.

A chance to regain Shooto gold could be on tap, as Ueda is coming off three consecutive wins over Akitoshi Tamura, Ralph Acosta and Rumina Sato.

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza is the Strikeforce middleweight champion and a top 10 fighter, but he is probably the least recognized at Black House MMA.

The gym hosts some of the best fighters in the world including Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Junior dos Santos and Jose Aldo.

It hardly needs to be said, but Souza belongs in the UFC.

Sergei Kharitonov

The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix has been a great way of introducing new fans to world-class fighters they may not be familiar with, which includes Russian kickboxer Sergei Kharitonov.

Some have labeled Kharitonov as the dark horse in the tournament.

Along with competing in Strikeforce, he has a plethora of worldwide experience in major promotions such as Pride and Dream.

Dan Henderson

Dan Henderson shouldn't even be classified as a light heavyweight; his body knows no bounds.

The MMA legend has competed and defeated some of the best fighters in the world ranging from middleweight to heavyweight.

He is the former Pride middleweight and light heavyweight champion and current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion.

Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum has long been considered a top heavyweight.

A two-time ADCC world champion, Werdum is arguably the best submission artist in the entire sport.

He has had a long career and enjoyed wins over major names, but Werdum is mostly known for being the first man to defeat MMA icon Fedor Emelianenko.

Pat Curran

With wins over Toby Imada and Roger Huerta, Pat Curran has always showed promise.

All of the hard work and dedication came full circle at Bellator 48, where Curran knocked out former Pancrase and Sengoku featherweight champion Marlon Sandro.

Tatsuya Kawajiri

Along with Shinya Aoki, former Shooto welterweight champion Tatsuya Kawajiri is considered a legend in Japan.

He has enjoyed a wealth of experience over the course of his career against standout MMA veterans including Aoki, Gilbert Melendez, Eddie Alvarez and Takanori Gomi.

Hiroyuki Takaya

Hiroyuki Takaya enjoyed his coming-out party in 2010, when he defeated Joachim Hansen, Chase Beebe and Bibiano Fernandes for the Dream featherweight title.

Unfortunately for Takaya, his recent jolt of success didn't translate well over to Western shores.

In April 2011, he lost a split decision to Roberto Peralta at Strikeforce.

Gegard Mousasi

Gegard Mousasi is only 26 years of age, and he already has more MMA experience than veterans in their 40s.

He has competed in a multitude of mainstream promotions including Pride, Strikeforce and Dream.

A former Strikeforce champion and current Dream champion, Mousasi has a wide window to add to his already great list of accomplishments.

Bibiano Fernandes

Former Dream featherweight champion Bibiano Fernandes hadn't lost a professional bout in over three years, before being dethroned by Hiroyuki Takaya at Dynamite!! 2010.

Despite the loss, Fernandes remains one of the top featherweights in the world, and this could be the year he rebounds.

Joachim Hansen

Legendary Norwegian star Joachim Hansen has over a decade of professional experience, and he is still at the center of the pack of potential Dream lightweight contenders.

As the inaugural Dream champion, Hansen would love to earn a fourth bout with Shinya Aoki and ascend to the top once more.

Tyron Woodley

Tyron Woodley has quickly emerged as one of MMA's top welterweight prospects.

He capped off his undefeated record in 2011 with two monumental victories over Paul Daley and Tarec Saffiedine.

Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal's everlasting confidence may come off as arrogance to some, but he has the in-ring ability to back up everything.

Lawal's most notable victory was over Gegard Mousasi at Strikeforce: Nashville, where he defeated Mousasi for the light heavyweight title.

The championship reign didn't last long, as Lawal was defeated in his next outing against Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante.

Renato Sobral

Since being released from the UFC, Renato "Babalu" Sobral found renewed life outside the promotion in Strikeforce and the now-defunct Affliction.

On November 2008, Babalu won his first major MMA world title after defeating The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 cast member Bobby Southworth for the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.

He lost the belt nearly a year later to Gegard Mousasi.

Roger Gracie

Roger Gracie is one of the most accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors ever to transition to MMA.

All four of his professional bouts have ended in submission.

Despite his short tenure, Gracie has already faced the likes of MMA veterans Trevor Prangley and Yuki Kondo, and at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery, he submitted former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman.

Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante

After besting Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal for Strikeforce gold, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante saw everything he worked for taken from him at the hands of Dan Henderson in March.

Even though Cavalcante left the arena that night without the belt strapped around his waist, he gave Henderson all he could handle before becoming another victim to the MMA legend's right hand.

Shane Del Rosario

He has yet to receive much mainstream exposure, but Shane Del Rosario is one of the top heavyweight prospects in the world.

Riding a spotless record of 11-0, the two-time WBC Muay Thai world champion seems destined for big things in MMA.

Cung Le

Kickboxing phenom and movie star Cung Le is considered a legend in MMA, despite only having eight professional fights on his résumé.

His unorthodox style has delivered memorable bouts with thrilling finishes.

With Zuffa's acquisition of Strikeforce, Le hopes to be the next fighter to jump ship to the UFC for a cross-promotional bout.

Robbie Lawler

Former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler may be 3-4 in his last seven fights, but his inconsistencies can be attributed to constantly facing top opposition.

Lawler has never been a finesse fighter who comes up with elaborate game plans. Everyone knows what to expect night-in and night-out from the "Ruthless" one.

He'll show up, march forward and swing for the fences until either he or his opponent hits the ground.

Paul Daley

The slippery slope continues for former UFC welterweight contender Paul Daley, who is coming off back-to-back losses to Nick Diaz and Tyron Woodley.

With that said, there are very few fighters who pack the kind of one-punch knockout power of "Semtex."

In his most recent loss to Woodley, Daley showed improved wrestling defense, which should be a major complement to his standup-heavy game.

Tim Kennedy

Tim Kennedy picked up the biggest win of his career on July 30 with a unanimous-decision victory over former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler.

The win puts Kennedy in line for a rematch against Strikeforce middleweight champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.

Kennedy lost the first bout by unanimous decision, but the actual fight was much tighter than what appears on paper.

Cole Konrad

Along with Daniel Cormier, Bellator heavyweight champion Cole Konrad is one of the hottest heavyweight prospects in the world.

Training alongside former UFC champion Brock Lesnar, Konrad, a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, continues to show improvement in every outing, especially with his striking.

Ben Askren

If Ben Askren's unique hairstyle doesn't get your attention, his in-ring abilities certainly will.

A two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, "Funky" has used his incredible wrestling base to climb the MMA ranks and win the Bellator welterweight title.

Joe Warren

Former U.S. Olympian and current Bellator featherweight champion Joe Warren has taken on all comers, but it's hard to get deserved recognition when you're constantly facing unranked opposition.

Like Eddie Alvarez, it's about time Warren tests his skills against upper-echelon contenders in the UFC.

Hector Lombard

One of the most intimidating middleweights in the world, Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard has been steadily racking up a list of victims outside the UFC.

He is currently riding a 22-fight win streak, with over half of those victories coming by knockout.

Marlon Sandro

Marlon Sandro may have suffered a tough loss at the hands of Pat Curran, but he is still deserving of a spot on this list.

Outside of UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, there are few fighters in the 145-pound division who instill fear in the striking department like Sandro.

Shinya Aoki

One of Japan's legendary stars, Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki is a perennial top 10 lightweight and quite possibly the best submission artist the sport has ever seen.

In 28 wins, Aoki finished 18 of those bouts by submission.

Even though he has competed predominantly in Japan, Aoki is starting to branch out more and test his skills against world-class opposition on Western shores.

Antonio Silva

Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva has the potential to achieve great things in the sport.

Along with his massive size and incredibly long reach, Silva is a world-class striker with a strong grappling base.

His accolades include a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo and karate.

Daniel Cormier

Alistair Overeem's loss could be Daniel Cormier's gain.

After the champ was pulled from the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, Cormier accepted the promotion's offer to step up as a replacement and compete in the ongoing tournament.

The former U.S. Olympian has a great opportunity to really make a name for himself against upper-echelon opposition.

Eddie Alvarez

As an MMA fan, it can be frustrating at times watching Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez face unranked opposition.

He is right behind Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard and Gilbert Melendez in the lightweight rankings.

It would be nice to see Alvarez showcase his world-class talent on a mainstream stage.

Gilbert Melendez

Fresh off an impressive TKO stoppage of Tatsuya Kawajiri, Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is finally getting the respect he deserves.

He has continuously asked for a shot at UFC gold, and with fans taking notice, he could get his wish.

Jorge Masvidal may be the final roadblock to a major cross-promotional championship showdown.

Josh Barnett

While the vast majority of fighters get a momentary glimpse on this list, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will go down in history as one of MMA's all-time greats.

Some may snub their noses at his accomplishments due to multiple failed drug tests, but Barnett has served his time and is on his way to resurrecting his career in the mainstream spotlight.

Alistair Overeem

The days of a gassed out Alistair Overeem coming up short in big fights are long gone.

At heavyweight, the former Pride superstar has reinvented himself as one of the best fighters in the world.

He is the reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion, Dream heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix champion.

Could a UFC title be next?

Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko has left a mark on the sport that may never be topped, and he could go down as the greatest of all time.

Every career has its slumps, and Emelianenko is stuck in one now.

After a decade of perfection, the former Pride heavyweight champion has suffered three consecutive losses.

It seems like yesterday Emelianenko was considered the top pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos is quite possibly the most intimidating fighter in the world.

She kicks down walls on any previously perceived notions of female MMA fighters.

Despite a decent crop of talent in the women's welterweight division, Santos' brute strength and rare athleticism is unrivaled in all of women's MMA.