The MMA Top Ten 07.03.09: My UFC Wish List

Posted by Brandon Longe on 07.03.2009

Great fighters from around the world have always dreamed of fighting for the UFC. So why aren't they here? This week 411's Brandon Longe gives you his wish list of competitors he would most like to see fight in the octagon!

The MMA Top Ten 07.03.09: My UFC Wishlist

Great fighters from around the world have always dreamed of fighting for the UFC. So why aren't they here? This week 411's Brandon Longe gives you his wish list of competitors he would most like to see fight in the octagon!

THE MMA TOP 10!

This week's Top Ten list is a group of fighters I wish to someday see in the UFC. Some fighters I choose probably will fight for the UFC in the future and for others it may be just a dream of mine. I did not base my decisions on the likelihood of them joining the UFC ranks nor did base them what would be the best for the UFC. My picks are based purely on who I would like to see in the octagon. This Top Ten list is merely my opinion and I would love to read other people's opinions in the comment section at the bottom.


1. Fedor Emelianeko 30-1-1NC, 6'0" 231lbs. Age: 32

I would say a pretty obvious first pick. Fedor will probably top most fan's lists and for good reason. He is the most dominant heavyweight fighter in history and I think it's a shame he doesn't already fight for the most competitive MMA organization in history. All of the top heavyweights in the UFC want a crack at Fedor and I would love to see it! There are so many intriguing matches awaiting Fedor in the UFC. If he does end up defeating Josh Barnett at Affliction Trilogy on August 1st than I don't feel there will be much left for him outside the UFC. No one wants to watch Fedor fight unworthy competition. I would probably cry if Fedor's win some sub par opponent due to a cut or some horribly lucky haymaker snapped streak. Whether it will ever happen or not, I don't know, but Fedor easily tops this list for me.


2. Alistair Overeem 29-11-1NC, 6'5" 254lbs. Age: 29

Alistair Overeem is one of those heavyweights that has an amazing mix of speed and strength. His skill set is just as encompassing as well, being that he is a devastating striker and has seventeen submission victories. I guess you could also call his submissions devastating, seeing as how he has ripped an arm from the shoulder socket before. At 6'5" Alistair has a great reach and also has some of the scariest knees I've seen from a heavyweight. He loves to ground and pound and has some wonderful takedowns as well. This guy would be an awesome addition to the UFC's heavyweight division and I know he would also be very competitive in it. He is only 29 now and is riding a four fight win streak. It probably would be five if he didn't knee the hell out of Mirco's nuts for a NC last September at Dream 6. I really don't think the UFC has anyone quite like this guy and he earns my 2nd pick.


3. Shinya Aoki 20-4, 5'11" 155lbs. Age: 26

Aoki is one of the best and most fun to watch submission artists in all of MMA. He reminds me of Bj Penn how he can use his legs like arms. The flexibility and dexterity in his legs reminds me of one of those crazy contortionists who get paid to climb into a little box. Aoki is one of those fighters who finds ways to win from his back, again and again. Shinya Aoki vs. Bj Penn is a dream match that has been on my mind for a long time. Whether or not he could earn a title shot is up in the air. Where he fights in Dream there are no elbows or cage and it would definitely make Aoki's normal strategy difficult to execute. There are also some great wrestlers in the division who would make it a chore for Aoki to take the fight to the ground. There is only one way to find out if he could hang in the UFC's stacked 155lb division and that is to bring him over.


4. Gegard Mousasi 25-2-1, 6'1" 216lbs. Age: 23

Mousasi began training judo and boxing at a very young age, and at only 16 became the amateur boxing champion of the Netherlands. He then switched to kickboxing and then to MMA. He is a member of Fedor's training camp, The Red Devil Sport Club, which has given him the training he needs to be a threat on the ground. He is a very high ranked middleweight fighter and is now making a move to light heavyweight. He is riding a twelve fight win streak right now and has some new challenges already planned. Mousasi will fight Renato Sobral at Affliction Trilogy next month and then is scheduled to take on Sokoudjou at Dream 11 in September. I think at 205 Mousasi could be a great addition to the UFC. He has talked about going all the way up to heavyweight as well, but in my opinion 205 would be the perfect fit. He is only 23 and is still improving and learning. I would kill to see this guy take on some of the dominant light heavyweights in the UFC such as Rampage, Shogun and yes, even Anderson Silva. Only time will tell if Gegard Mousasi will ever grace the octagon, but my fingers are crossed.


5. Joachim Hansen 19-7-1, 5'9" 152lbs. Age: 30

Joachim "Hellboy" Hansen has long been a favorite fighter of mine. He is 30 years old now and hasn't fought for almost a year. I think an invitation to the UFC is just what he needs to get back in the game. In his last fight he defeated Shinya Aoki in the final round of the Dream Lightweight GP. He has defeated the likes of Yves Edwards, Takanori Gomi and Gesias Calavante. Joachim has won several BJJ and submission grappling tournaments in the past and also has seven KO victories. I really think he would gather a great fan base in the UFC with his unique look and exciting fighting style. Seeing as how he hasn't fought for almost a year I really don't know if he has what it takes to compete in the UFC, but I'd really like to find out.


6. Roger Gracie 2-0, 6'4" 220lbs. Age: 27

No family has a legacy in the sport of fighting like the Gracies. This is my biggest reason for this choice. What a story it would make if a Gracie could come to the UFC and climb the ranks. Roger Gracie is one of the greatest BJJ practitioners in the world. He really is on his own level when it comes to the Jitsu game. Whether he is dedicated to a career in MMA is the question. If he decided to really work on some wrestling and stand up then it would be an absolute joy for me to watch him fight in the UFC. When you watch the early UFC events it was basically the Royce Gracie show. The family was there for the conception of MMA and I really think they need there representative in the sport today. I think it would really please a lot of fans. If Roger could get down to 205 he could instantly make an impact. There is no one in that division that could last with him on the ground. The fact is that his other skills may be too weak and I don't know how well he is at getting hit. I will jump with joy if I hear rumors of him being signed.


7. Nick Diaz 20-7-1NC, 6'0" 170lbs. Age: 25

If you read my column last week you already know that Nick is one of my favorite fighters. I really think he has improved and matured since his last effort in the UFC. His octagon antics are so fun to watch and his skill set can cause problems for any fighter. I would enjoy seeing Nick come back to the UFC and fight at 170. Whether or not he has what it takes to make a title run I'm not sure. I am sure that Nick will have some outstanding fights in the future and what better place to have them than the UFC. I know it would make Joe Rogan happy as well.


8. Takanori Gomi 30-5, 5'8" 155lbs. Age: 30

Gomi has been a dominating lightweight for years. He has the skills and experience to step into the octagon with any lightweight in the UFC. Gomi has a huge fan base in Japan and the States. I've always thought of Gomi as one of the most exciting fighters to watch. He loves to exchange and throws some real bombs on a regular basis. He has great knockout power for a lightweight. Honestly, I don't think Gomi could make an effective run at a title in the tough UFC lightweight division, but I know he could put on some awesome fights. The warrior spirit that seems to be instilled in all the Japanese warriors is like a wildcard, you never know what will happen. Maybe he could even revenge his lose to Bj Penn.


9. Vitor Belfort 18-8, 6'0" 185lbs. Age: 32

This is one of those picks, like Roger, where it would just make a great story. Vitor started his career in the UFC way back at UFC 12 where he won the heavyweight tournament. Then he was nicknamed "The Phenom" being one of the biggest rising stars in the sport. He was only 19 years old when he began his fighting career. Now 32, Vitor seems to be on the comeback trail once again. He is now training at Extreme Couture and is coming off a devastating knock out win over Matt Lindland. Vitor is currently fighting at 185 and looks to be in awesome shape. With the UFC searching for someone to give Anderson Silva a challenge for the Middleweight title, we may see Dana making a move to bring Vitor back to the UFC. It would make me happy as a pig in shit to see Vitor come back to finish off his career in the UFC.


10. Urijah Faber 22-3, 5'6" 145lbs. Age: 30

With Faber's two recent loses to WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown, you can't help but wonder, what now? Faber is only 5'6" and would be fighting some much bigger competition at 155. This kid has so much talent yet he can't seem to find a way to beat Mike Brown. Does anyone want to see him fight Brown a third time? Yeah, probably, but for me it would be more interesting to see him make a run in the UFC. He is such a good of a fighter that he could overcome some size disadvantages for sure. Mike Brown might just be his kryptonite. With his numerous fans and exciting, innovative fight style he would quickly become a fan favorite in the UFC.


Now that you've heard my opinions on this topic I would love to hear yours.