Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le and the 5 Best Upcoming Striker vs. Striker Matchups

Every fight fan loves a good standup war every now and then, and these five fights will offer nothing short of high entertainment at the expense of a few brain cells for the fighters competing in them.

Starting with UFC 137, each card left in 2011 will feature very fan-friendly fights that put two strikers against one another. Even if some of them lack significance, that's not why they were made in the first place.

A knockout isn't guaranteed, but excitement is, and that's what makes these fights worth checking out if you love MMA.

No. 5: Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione (UFC 137)

If Cheick Kongo's last fight with Pat Barry was any indication, it proved the former K1 kickboxer can take a punch and come back to knock out his opponent even if he is close to being knocked unconscious.

In his bout at UFC 137, he takes on TUF heavyweight Matt Mitrione, who is 5-0 in MMA and in the UFC.

Mitrione has finished four of his last five opponents, including Kimbo Slice, Christian Morecraft and Tim Hague.

Kongo knows what it's like to deal with adversity, and it's going to be something that Mitrione finds out about in this fight. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

No. 4: Dennis Siver vs. Donald Cerrone (UFC 137)

In a preliminary fight that should be one of the card's best fights, kickboxer Dennis Siver takes on former WEC title challenger Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Cerrone is coming off the first TKO victory of his career despite being proficient when it comes to everything in the stand up department, including kicks, knees and punches.

Siver is no stranger to intense striking battles, and he has picked up eight victories in his last nine fights. Six of those came in the UFC.

Both have picked up a combined six post-fight bonuses for their performances inside the Octagon. This should be another one that gets a bonus.

No. 3: B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz (UFC 137)

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. Penn returns since fighting Jon Fitch in February to take on former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz.

If someone was to make a list of the best boxers in MMA, these two might be close to the top, and their past fights prove it.

Penn has been called the best boxer in MMA by many, including boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

Diaz is arguably the best body puncher in the sport, and both competitors have the chins to take a volume of punches.

Given their skills on the ground as well, expect this one to be fought standing for the majority of the bout, where the real winner will be determined.

No. 2: Paul Taylor vs. Anthony Njokuani (UFC 138)

England's Paul Taylor might only be 4-5 in the UFC, but he is one of the more entertaining fighters to watch.

He will put his skills on display when he takes on Anthony Njokuani at UFC 138 in the UK. The Nigerian-born fighter is 14-5 with eight knockouts. His UFC debut was a memorable war against Edson Barboza at UFC 128.

Njokuani also had a three-fight stretch in the WEC where he earned back-to-back KO of the night bonuses.

This has fight of the night written all over it.

No. 1: Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le (UFC 139)

Wanderlei Silva will welcome former Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le to the Octagon at UFC 139, and it may turn out to be one of the more anticipated debuts of the year for the former Sanshou kickboxing champion.

Silva comes into the fight having lost his last one in under a minute to hard-punching Chris Leben. His only victories since 2006 include those over Keith Jardine and Michael Bisping so this is a must-win fight for the Brazilian.

This fight probably won't go the distance, and it will most likely end with someone getting knocked out quick. If not, at least fans can enjoy three rounds of pure excitement.

Photo credit: Strikeforce