5 Fantasy UFC vs Bellator Crossover Fights

Since their inception, the UFC has continued to grow and evolve into the biggest MMA promotion in the world. The promotion has been able to create plenty of stars that have become massive pay-per-view attractions. The UFC has become identified as the premier organization by the general public and their successful business model is proof.

In recent years, Bellator MMA has emerged as a viable alternative to the UFC and has many events that’ve outshined the UFC. In the past, Bellator had a reputation for signing fighters later in their career. But the promotion has since gone in another direction and is seeing the benefits of investing in younger fighters. Bellator has been able to build many homegrown stars.

UFC President Dana White doesn’t share Bellator President Scott Coker’s sentiments of a cross-promotion between the two promotions. This list looks at some fantasy matchups that could be booked if White were open to cross-promotion with Bellator. Not all matchups are necessarily champion vs. champion as there are other appealing matchups. This list will also look at matchups that haven’t already taken place in the UFC before.

Here are five fantasy UFC vs Bellator MMA crossover fights.

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#5 Jose Aldo (UFC) vs. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire

(Left) Patricio 'Pitbull' - Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan (Right) @josealdojunioroficial

If UFC and Bellator cross-promoted an event, a bout between two of the most decorated featherweights should be considered. Many fans look towards champion vs. champion, but Jose Aldo vs. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire would be the next best thing.

Aldo had an extraordinary rise to greatness that saw him go on a win streak that lasted 10 years. The future UFC Hall of Famer is regarded as one of the greatest featherweights of all-time. During that time, Aldo would capture both the WEC and UFC featherweight championships.

Freire has had a stellar career in his own right and is a fighter who has become synonymous with Bellator MMA. ‘Pitbull’ may’ve lost his featherweight championship, but he is still one of the top featherweights in the sport. In addition, captured the Bellator lightweight championship after moving up to 155lbs and defeating then-champion Michael Chandler.

Aldo and ‘Pitbull’ have a similar fighting style in that they are primarily strikers. Aldo would likely be the favorite, but it wouldn’t be an upset if Freire ended up getting his hand raised. Aldo’s takedown defense and Freire’s ground game would make for a fun fight at this stage of their careers.

#4 Jan Blachowicz (UFC) vs. Vadim Nemkov (Bellator MMA) – champion vs. Bellator champion

(Left) @janblachowicz (Right) @vadimnemkov - Instagram

UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov would be a real tossup of a fight.

The light-heavyweight debate all began last year after comments made by Bellator President Scott Coker during a press conference. Coker stated that Bellator had the top 205lb division in MMA after Jon Jones announced he’d be moving to heavyweight.

Blachowicz has been spectacular the past two years. In the past two years, Blachowicz has defeated former UFC champions, title-challengers, and current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. During Blachowicz’s five-fight win-streak, he showcased his devastating knockout power and elite-level grappling.

Nemkov’s resume competing in Bellator is just as impressive. Nemkov is currently on an eight-fight win streak and has significantly improved since signing with Bellator. Nemkov’s win streak includes Liam McGeary, Rafael Carvalho, Phil Davis twice and Ryan Bader.

Nemkov’s win over Bader was impressive because Bader was both the Bellator heavyweight and light-heavyweight division at the time. By defeating Bader, Nemkov proved that he was legitimately one of the top light heavyweights in the world.

It’d be interesting to see whether Nemkov’s sambo background would be enough to negate the Blachowicz’ BJJ and Muay Thai.

#3 Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson (UFC) vs. Michael ‘Venom’ Page (Bellator MMA)

[(Left) @wonderboymma, (Right) Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

Another fresh matchup coming in on this list is Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson vs. Michael "Venom" Page at welterweight. This has excitement written all over it and would be an evenly matched fight.

Two of the top strikers in the sport going at it would have fans on the edge of their seats. Both Thompson and Page would love to put on entertaining fights for fans and they’d be able to do just that. Thompson may’ve fought the tougher competition overall, but you can’t deny how talented MVP is. MVP’s explosiveness could cause problems because he could put his opponent away quickly with a devastating kick or flying-knee.

Both fighters are always cautious of takedown attempts because that is the most effective way to deal with their style. But it is safe to say neither would be shooting for a takedown if they fought one another. Whether it takes place in the UFC's octagon or Bellator cage, MVP vs Wonderboy would definitely be a must-see.

#2 Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya (UFC) vs. Gegard Mousasi (Bellator) – champion vs. champion

[(Left) @stylebender (Right) Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan]

Another UFC champion vs. Bellator champion fantasy bout comes in the middleweight division as Israel ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya and Gegard Mousasi. The two middleweight champions could prove who the best 185-pounder is.

The UFC champion Adesanya would be a slight favorite in a potential fight with Mousasi based on his recent middleweight matchups. However, Mousasi wouldn’t be one that should easily be counted out.

Throughout Mousasi’s career, he has fought a who’s-who across multiple weight-classes and has come out with his hand raised. Adesanya, on the other hand, attempted it by challenging Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light-heavyweight championship, but was unsuccessful. 'The Last Stylebender' wasn't fazed by the loss, instead, he used it as extra motivation.

Mousasi’s path to victory would be replicating Blachowicz’s gameplan by taking Adesanya down and tiring him out on the ground. But Mousasi could be exposed on in the standup if he’s unsuccessful with his takedowns. Adesanya looked excellent against Paulo Costa and showed improvement with his takedown defense in his recent win over Marvin Vettori.

#1 Alexander Volkanovski (UFC) vs. A.J. McKee (Bellator) – champion vs champion

Photo credit: (Left) Bellator MMA / Lucas Noonan (Right) Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

The most intriguing potential cross-promotion bout topping this list is Alexander Volkanovski vs. A.J. McKee.

If there were any doubts about Volkanovski, he put that to rest in his recent title defense against Brian Ortega. The reigning UFC featherweight champion was in full control for the majority of the fight. However, he got caught in two submissions that could’ve ended his reign. The champ narrowly escaped both attempts and regained total control of the fight. Volkanovski made a statement on why he should be considered among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

McKee, on the other hand, has had an incredible rise to the top of Bellator’s featherweight division. The 26-year-old made his pro debut at Bellator 136 in 2015 and has since remained undefeated, 18-0. McKee recently capped off his unbeaten run by defeating Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire in the finals of Bellator’s featherweight Grand Prix.

McKee made quick work of "Pitbull" on route to a $1 million prize. During McKee’s post-fight press conference, he was confident that he’d have the same result against any featherweight.

Bellator President Scott Coker echoed those same sentiments but added that a cross-promotion fight is unlikely. Although he believes a cross-promotion bout is unlikely, he left the offer on the table.