UFC: Top 10 Fighters Dana White Should Acquire from Strikeforce

After Strikeforce was purchased by Zuffa, many high profile fighters joined UFC.

When UFC first bought Strikeforce, the marquee fighters were Gilbert Melendez, Dan Henderson, Fedor Emelianenko, Nick Diaz and Alistair Overeem.

Now, only one of these remains in Strikeforce, while three have joined UFC.

In this slideshow, I will look at 10 fighters the UFC would most like to have from Strikeforce.

10: Roger Gracie

The classic name belongs in the UFC. The Gracie family are the pioneers of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style still used by some of the best fighters in the world.

A Gracie has not won a fight in the UFC since UFC 4, when Royce Gracie won his third tournament.

Roger is a second degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. He has not lost a Jiu-Jitsu fight since 2009. His MMA career started in 2006 but until 2010, he had only fought two fights.

He then signed a deal with Strikeforce, subsequently defeating Kevin Randleman and Trevor Prangley. In only his fifth fight, he took on former champion King Mo Lawal but lost by knockout.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

 To get the Gracie name back in the UFC. He could also be one of the best fighters in the world if he developed his striking. 

Who He Should Fight First 

Brandon Vera

9: Josh Barnett

The world ranked Barnett is the only former UFC champion on the list. He is currently ranked in many MMA heavyweight rankings.

The reasons he remains so low on this list are his failed drugs tests and rocky relationship with UFC president Dana White.

However, some fighters have been told they would never fight in the UFC again but eventually did.

Unbeaten in his last eight fights, Barnett made the final of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament and beat Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov—both by arm triangle chokes.

Barnett is an excellent submission fighter and if he gets any fighter on the ground, he has to be the favorite.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

 He's skilled and would add depth to the division.

Who He Should Fight First 

Shane Carwin

8: Gegard Mousasi

Mousasi is one of the most decorated fighters to have never fought in the UFC. He has held the Dream middleweight and light-heavyweight championship, as well as the Strikeforce light-heavyweight title.

Mousasi seems to have been around forever but is a young fighter at 26.

His notable wins include Hector Lombard, Evangelista Santos, Mark Hunt, Jacare Souza and Renato Sobral.

He is a stand-up fighter with good records in both boxing and kickboxing. One thing the UFC may not like is Mousasi wants to compete in amateur boxing at the 2012 London Olympics.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

Improve the talent in the division and find a new market.

Who He Should Fight First

Phil Davis

7: Jorge Masvidal

Masvidal’s stock could rise on December 17 when he faces Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce lightweight championship.

Masvidal is perhaps most famous for fighting outside the ring. His YouTube video against Kimbo Slice protégé, Ray, has over 800,000 views.

Masvidal is known as being willing to fight anyone and always being a tough task. He holds victories over Noons, Evangelista, Kitaoka and Lauzon.

He calls his style Cuban boxing/kickboxing and Cuban-style wrestling.

At only 26, time is on his side.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

 He's exciting, will fight anyone, and might capture the Cuban market. 

Who He Should Fight First

Melvin Guillard

6: Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza

Ronaldo Souza, known as "Jacare," is one of the top middleweights in MMA. A five-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Souza is one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters in MMA.

Jacare has wins over Matt Lindland, Tim Kennedy, Jason Miller and Robbie Lawler.

The reason Jacare is so high on this list—despite being lower ranked than other fighters and coming off a loss in his last fight—is the fact the middleweight division could really do with some new blood.

The prospect of Jacare versus Maia in an MMA fight is also very exciting.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

He would improve middleweight division.

Who He Should Fight First 

Damien Maia

5: Tyron Woodley

One of the most exciting prospects in all of MMA is 29-year-old Tyron Woodley.

A two-time NCAA Div. 1 All-American wrestler, Woodley has not only transferred his wrestling skills to MMA but incorporated striking into his game.

Since his debut in 2009, he has amassed an MMA record of 9-0 with wins over Tarec Saffiedine and Paul Daley.

Woodley is only ranked No. 5 on this list because of the strength of the welterweight division. If he can fulfill his potential, Woodley could emerge as the person who will come closest to defeating Georges St. Pierre.

Why the UFC would want him

So much potential.

Who He Should Fight First 

Jake Shields or Rory MacDonald

4: Muhammed Lawal

Muhammed Lawal is probably the most outspoken Strikeforce fighter around, currently engaged in a war of words with former UFC champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Lawal gained early notoriety in Japan and in only his second Strikeforce fight, he won the light heavyweight title by defeating Gegard Mouassi.

He'd lost it in his next fight against Rafael Cavalcante but rebounded with a win against Roger Gracie.

Lawal is another fighter with a wrestling background, who can take most opponents down and smash them to pieces once on top.

"King Mo" has also developed his striking game with great power. With more experience, Lawal will only get better. 

Why the UFC Would Want Him

He's a good talker, who could add competitiveness to division.

Who He Should Fight First 

Quinton Jackson

3: Luke Rockhold

Luke Rockhold is one of the best all around fighters in MMA today. Rockhold won the Strikeforce middleweight title in only his ninth bout against Jacare.

Only 27 years of age,  Rockhold comes from a good Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing base. Middleweight is one of the weaker UFC divisions and Rockhold would probably fit right in. 

Working at American Top Team alongside Jon Fitch, Cain Velazquez and Josh Koscheck will only help Rockhold improve.

Rockhold would be one of the few fighters to match Anderson Silva's reach and with his all around game, he could challenge Silva.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

He would add to a weak division with all-purpose skills

Who He Should Fight First 

Alan Belcher or Mark Munoz

2: Daniel Cormier

Cormier is a top heavyweight prospect, who comes from a freestyle wrestling background.

He won a bronze medal in the 2007 World Championships and was fourth at the 2004 Olympics.

Cormier began his MMA career in 2009 with Strikeforce. Since then, he has gone unbeaten with wins over Devin Cole, Jeff Monson and Antonio Silva.

As well as his wrestling game, Cormier has developed a top striking game as shown against Antonio Silva.

Cormier could be a real threat in the division. Another bonus to Cormier is the fact he could reach the light heavyweight division.

Why the UFC Would Want Him

Olympic wrestler and a potential MMA champion. 

Who He Should Fight First

Loser of Cain Velazquez versus Junior Dos Santos

1: Gilbert Melendez

Gilbert Melendez is the only UFC fighter who is talked about when pound-for-pound lists are discussed.

The Californian lightweight has recently expressed a desire to join the UFC and fight Frankie Edgar. Melendez has wins over Shinya Aoki, Clay Guida, Josh Thomson and Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Melendez has a good ground game, especially from the top and is a good counter-striker. Melendez also has good conditioning.

The addition of Melendez to the UFC would make the lightweight division easily the strongest around. Melendez also represents the Strikeforce fighter most likely to win a UFC title. 

Why the UFC Would Want Him

He's a world class fighter with possible markets in Japan and Mexico.

Who He Should Fight First

Frankie Edgar or Donald Cerrone