UFC: 5 Fighters Who Should Make the Jump to the Big Show

Since the UFC acquired Strikeforce in March of this year, we’ve seen a couple defections from the smaller organization.  Some were successful (Jake Shields helped us determine that GSP was the best in the world) and some not so successful (Nick Diaz, enough said).  Let’s talk about future additions to the roster from other promotions that should shake things up in a good way, and help determine the true world champion. 

As it stands, we look at the promotions in this order:

                UFC – Major League

                Strikeforce – Triple A

                Bellator/Dream – Single A

Let’s see who deserves a call up to the big show…

Strikeforce Lightweight Champion: “El Nino” Gilbert Melendez

Desire.  The reason for “El Nino” to defect to the UFC is very simple.  The best want to prove to the world, and to themselves, that they are the best.  Gilbert has, for the most part, cleaned out the lightweight division in Strikeforce, so there is no reason to stay.  No fighter on the roster can test Gilbert like the UFC fighters can. 

Gilbert has an unbridled fighting spirit that is indicative of being a member of “Skrap Pack” (let’s not count Nick Diaz in that circle anymore).  Not only does his training camp provide a never quit attitude, they also have great cardio to continue to push in later rounds if necessary.  Gilbert’s attack is merciless, and he has a fantastic Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu base to fall back on. 

His boxing style is similar to a young Roberto Duran (Manos De Piedra) in the respect that he marches forward through his opponents punches to inflict punishment.

With nothing left to prove in the triple-A league better known as Strikeforce, Melendez is due to fight a top lightweight to work his way toward a title shot.  How about the winner of the Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon fight for his UFC introduction?  I’m just saying…

Current Strikeforce and Former Pride Champion: Dan “Hendo” Henderson

Legacy.  When Dan Henderson left the organization in December 2009, no one used the word “legend” when they described Hendo’s career.  In reality, if you look back at his accomplishments, he is most definitely a legend in MMA. 

He was the first man to hold belts in two different weight classes simultaneously, when he held both the welterweight and middleweight straps in PRIDE back in 2007.  He’s beaten Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Renato Sobral, Renzo Gracie, Michael Bisping and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.  He also won the UFC 17 Middleweight tournament.  He’s a fantastic fighter. 

So what’s left?  What hasn’t Henderson done at this point?  That’s an easy one.  He hasn’t been a UFC Champion.  Sure he won the tournament way back when, but the UFC champion is now widely accepted as the best in the world and he has not had that distinction. 

He deserves a chance to ride off into the sunset with a world championship, ala John Elway.  He may not win, but his accomplishments buy him a shot at that dream.  I’d say a Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida would go over very well…

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

Jiu-Jitsu.  Souza, the reigning Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, is widely considered to be one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world.  He has also trained with extraordinary camps during his career. 

He trained with Xtreme Couture under the guide of Randy Couture, whom he grappled against in a contest in 2006.  He currently trains under Black House, who train quite possibly the best fighter in the world today, Anderson Silva.  If sparring against the greatest in the world doesn’t get you ready for fight, I don’t know what does. 

Moving on to the UFC is the natural progression for “Jacare” at this point in his career.  He’s 31-years-old and the competition he’s faced hasn’t been what anyone would call stellar.  Now is the time to prove himself against the best of the best.  It also provides another mythical unification type bout that will provide a boost to pay-per view buys. 

I know what you’re thinking.  Anderson Silva is the Middleweight Champion and they’re training partners, right?  Well, one or two things can happen, Jacare will listen to the machine that is the UFC the same way Jon Jones would have against a healthy Rashad Evans.  Or, he will drop, or go up, in weight to make other divisions more exciting.  Either way, we win. 

A solid inaugural UFC debut could be Souza vs. Mark Munoz.

Former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion: “Feijão” Rafael Cavalcante

Striking.  Calvalcante is a Knockout of the Night waiting to happen.  The former champion has 10 wins, nine by knockout, so he is known for exciting fights. 

If he were to move into UFC’s premier division, he would have a litany of main event fights to participate in to move up the ranks for a title shot.  The Black House fighter also trains with the brilliant striker Anderson Silva, so he has a lot of potential against the talent in the UFC. 

He utilizes his weight training, muay thai, and has solid jiu-jitsu to complete his game.  The 30-year-old has plenty of fight and time left to make a significant mark in the UFC, so the time is now to start his ascension. 

Let me paint a picture for you, imagine the tactical takedowns and off the cuff striking of “Suga” Rashad Evans against the power and relentlessness of Cavalcante in a main event.  Must see TV for sure…

Bellator Fighting Championships Middleweight Champion: Hector “Shango” Lombard

Judo Power.  As always, I have to give you one that is out of left field.  Occasionally in baseball a player skips triple A altogether and goes straight to the big show.  It isn’t home run every time, but most of the time the player turns out to be a solid contributor.  That’s what I see in Hector Lombard. 

Since being added to MTV 2, Bellator Fighting Championships have expanded their audience quite a bit, but they haven’t reached the mainstream yet.  So because of this people haven’t seen the explosive Hector Lombard fight. 

Hector has a Olympic Judo pedigree that engineers his striking prowess.  Judo also helps in takedowns and defending takedowns.  He is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, so he’s not intimidated by that part of a fight. 

Lombard recently called out Anderson Silva, stating that he would “take his head off”.  Now I’m not saying that he should go from Bellator straight to a title shot against the greatest in the game, but he doesn’t lack confidence and building up fights with confident statements like that is right of the alley of the UFC. 

I see a Hector Lombard vs. Chris Leben clash as an automatic Fight of the Night.  Or Knockout of the Night.  Somebody's going to sleep early...