UFC Upcoming Bouts: The 10 Best Bouts Not Featuring Top 10 Fighters

With most of the attention being focused on all of the UFC's champions defending their belts in the second half of 2011, fighters that aren't contenders look to establish themselves as a possible future challenger for a shot at the belt.

Before they can do that, they must break into the top 10 of their division. These 10 bouts produce an opportunity for them to showcase their skills and potential while moving themselves into that position.

Even if these fighters don't hold a top-10 ranking in their division, they do create the type of fights you don't want to miss as an MMA fan.

No. 10: Alan Belcher vs. Jason MacDonald: UFC Fight Night 25

After more than a year out of the cage, Alan Belcher returns to action on September 17 to take on Canadian fighter Jason MacDonald in a middleweight bout.

Both made their UFC debuts in 2006 but haven't found the type of success they may have wished for throughout their extensive stints in the UFC.

MacDonald picked up his first UFC victory in three years when he submitted Ryan Jensen at UFC 129. Belcher is on a two-fight win streak and has won fight bonuses in his last four fights.

Does this fight put the winner into the top 10? A victory won't solidify the winner as a top-10 fighter, but Belcher is very close to being one.

No. 9: Kyle Kingsbury vs. Stephan Bonnar: UFC 139

Light heavyweights and Ultimate Fighter veterans Stephan Bonnar and Kyle Kingsbury will look to extend their winning streaks when they meet at UFC 139.

The two have combined for six wins in their last six fights in the UFC. Kingsbury was awarded a fight-of-the-night bonus in two of those fights, while Bonnar was awarded one bonus for his fight with Krzysztof Soszynski.

Kingsbury showed durability in his last fight as he outlasted Fabio Maldonado to win a decision.

Bonnar's fight game is all about durability, so this should be a very fun fight to watch.

A win doesn't secure a spot in the top 10 of the division, but it does give the winner a chance to fight someone who is.

No. 8: Jonathan Brookins vs. Erik Koch: UFN 25

Featherweight prospect Erik Koch will take a step up in competition when he faces Ultimate Fighter winner Jonathan Brookins at Ultimate Fight Night 25.

Koch enters the fight with a 12-1 record, with his last two wins earning him a submission and knockout-of-the-night bonus in the UFC.

Brookins hasn't fought since his TUF Finale victory last year. He will need to come into this fight with the ring rust behind him, as he is taking on one of the brightest young stars in the UFC.

A win for either fighter in this bout will make them a borderline top-10 fighter in the featherweight division. Some already consider Koch a contender for the top 10.

No. 7: Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione: UFC 137

UFC 137 is a stacked card, and it will feature a heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Matt Mitrione.

Kongo comes off his amazing comeback KO over Pat Barry, while Mitrione is on a five-fight win streak in the UFC, with wins over Kimbo Slice and Christian Morecraft.

Both fighters are in their 30s, and Mitrione who lacks in overall experience. Kongo is by far the most experienced and skilled fighter he has faced in his career, and it will be a huge proving point if he can make it past him.

This is the fight that earns the winner a shot at a top-10 heavyweight.

No. 6: Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza: UFC on Fox 1

Featherweights Dustin Poirier and Pablo Garza are each one win away from being ranked among the best fighters in their division. The result will be determined on the first UFC on Fox card in November.

Poirier comes into the bout with an 11-1 record with two victories in the UFC.

Garza is also 2-0 in the UFC, with both of his wins coming in highlight-reel fashion and earning him a submission and knockout-of-the-night bonus.

Both are borderline top-10 fighters and will be next in line to challenge for the title sometime in 2012 or 2013 if they can continue winning and looking impressive.

No. 5: Pat Barry vs. Stefan Struve: UFC Live

In a heavyweight bout that is intriguing for the clear disparity in height, 5'11" Pat Barry will take on 6'11" Stefan Struve on a UFC Live on Versus card on October 1.

Both come off devastating knockout losses and will come into this fight having learned valuable lessons.

Aside from being more aware of what not to do during a fight, they will be more hungry than ever for a victory and will look for it in the form of a KO or a submission.

Expect a wild fight between two of the division's more intriguing fighters.

No. 4: Paul Taylor vs. Anthony Njokuani: UFC 138

If there is one fight from this list you don't want to miss, it's going to be the UFC 138 lightweight fight between Paul Taylor and Anthony Njokuani.

Taylor has only fought twice since 2009, so he will look to pick up where he left off when he defeated Gabe Ruediger earlier this year.

Njokuani dominated Andre Winner in his last fight to win a decision at UFC 132. Njokuani has also won three KO-of-the-night awards while in the WEC.

The two have a combined four fight-of-the-night awards in the UFC, so expect some fireworks in the cage on November 5.

No. 3: Mike Russow vs. Dave Herman: UFC 136

Before four fighters fight for two belts at UFC 136, heavyweights Dave Herman and Mike Russow will fight to make the claim for a top-10 spot in the division.

Herman made his UFC debut earlier this year when he produced a come-from-behind KO against Jon Olav Einemo.

Russow is 4-0 in the UFC, with a come-from-behind KO of his own against Todd Duffee in 2010.

Herman is a finisher, and his record proves it. All but one of his 21 victories have come by knockout or submission.

Russow has 12 wins by submission or knockout in his 14 wins.

Expect a definitive end to this fight.

No. 2: Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone: UFC 137

Donald Cerrone and Dennis Siver are each one win away from being considered top-10 fighters, and they will meet at UFC 137 to determine who is worthy of that position.

The fact that both are outside the top 10 just shows how stacked the division is.

Cerrone picked up the first KO win of his career in his last fight versus Charles Oliveira, while Siver won a closely contested decision against Matt Wiman.

Siver is currently on a four-fight win streak in the UFC.

Cerrone has won his last five fights.

Neither fighter will go down easily, but this one has the makings of ending by knockout or submission. It might even happen in the first round.

No. 1: Nate Diaz vs. Takanori Gomi: UFC 135

Nate Diaz returns to the lightweight division at UFC 135, and Takanori Gomi will be there to welcome him back into the stacked division.

Both are in dire need of a victory. Diaz has lost his last two bouts, while Gomi has dropped two of his last three.

Nate's brother fought and defeated Gomi in 2007's fight of the year. With the Diaz brothers having similar styles, expect to see a replay of that bout all over again this time around.

A win won't mean a top-10 spot for either fighter, but it will give them a starting point to build on.