By George Hernandez
10. Phil Baroni vs. Robbie Lawler: This might not be at the top of anybody’s list but with Baroni now a free agent, and Strikeforce needing talent to compete with the UFC this would be a slugfest for the ages.
9. Chris Lytle vs. Thiago Alves II: The first bout ended with a cut on Lytle’s forehead. Both guys are trying to move towards a title shot. This fight would make sense with these two exciting fighters.
8. Brian Stann vs.Wanderlei Silva: Stann’s impressive win over Chris Leben should get him a shot at the legend. This bout would move one of them high into the middleweight title picture.
7. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Cain Velasquez/Junior Dos Santos winner: Fedor after suffering his first real loss of his career to Fabricio Wedum earlier this year is still the top heavyweight in the world with Cain and Dos Santos right behind him. This match would be hard because Fedor is with Strikeforce and Cain and Dos Santos are under UFC contracts, but MMA fans can wish can’t they?
6. Georges St.Pierre vs. Nick Diaz: Another co-promotion that probably won’t happen, after Diaz signed a new contract with Strikeforce. These two welterweight champions and #1 and #2 in welterweight rankings would put on an MMA clinic.
5. Thiago Silva vs. Rich Franklin/Forrest Griffin winner: Silva has two loses to former champs, but has beaten the likes of Keith Jardine, James Irvin, and most recently Brandon Vera. Franklin and Griffin will face off at UFC 126 and the winner should face Silva. They could take on “Shogun” Rua or Rashad Evans after their title bout.
4. Nick Diaz vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller: Diaz talks a lot but hasn’t backed it up after jumping Miller after a bout. So it’s step up or shut up time for Diaz. This would be a real grudge match with both fighters hating each other.
3. Gegard Mousasi vs. Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante: Mousasi didn’t look like himself when he lost his belt to “King” Mo Lawal, but with a couple wins since he’s ready for a crack at the man that ended the Lawal hype and has the Strikeforce light heavyweight belt.
2. Alistair Overeem vs. Fedor Emelianenko: To most people Overeem is a paper champion who hasn’t fought anyone in Strikeforce, but even with Fedor’s loss to Fabricio Werdum and Overeem/Fedor bout would be the best for Strikeforce right now.
1. Georges St.Pierre vs. Anderson Silva: This bout has been talked about for over a year now with both fighters cleaning out there weight classes. Don’t know if it would be a catch weight but the #1 and #2 pound for pound fighters in the would sell out any area and would be big for the sport.
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