5 incredible UFC vs. Bellator fights we'd like to see

#2. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC) vs. A.J. McKee (Bellator)

Alexander Volkanovski is the reigning UFC featherweight champion and is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. With his victories over former 145-pound kingpins Jose Aldo and Max Holloway, Volkanovski is undoubtedly the best featherweight to ever grace the octagon. If the Australian manages to defend his title a few more times, he will cement his legacy as the featherweight GOAT.

However, a large section of MMA fans believe that the best 145-pound fighter on the planet doesn't even compete in the UFC. Bellator's A.J. McKee has a real case for being the best featherweight around. He has commented on his UFC counterparts on numerous occasions in the past, and in particular, has been quite disrespectful towards Volkanovski.

McKee is one of the most promising young fighters in all of MMA. Still just 27, 'The Mercenary' boasts an incredibly diverse skillset and has beaten every opponent he's ever faced. His professional record currently stands at 18-1, including six knockouts and seven submissions.

In his most recent outing, he suffered the first loss of his professional career in his rematch with Patricio 'Pitbull'. The fight went the full 25-minute distance and the judges' decision in favor of 'Pitbull' was largely contested by McKee and fans alike.

True MMA aficionados acknowledge the fact that McKee is a world-class talent. His father, former UFC lightweight Antonio McKee, has created a phenomenal fighter whose ceiling is seemingly limitless. He is a true generational prodigy.

Watch a compilation of A.J. McKee's best finishes in Bellator below:

The fact that McKee can make the featherweight limit of 145 pounds is a commendable feat. Standing 5'10" tall, the California native enjoys a significant size advantage over most of his opponents. This would be a massive factor to consider going into a potential bout with Alexander Volkanovski, who is four inches shorter than his Bellator counterpart.

However, Volkanovksi is a master at using his shorter and stockier frame to his benefit. 'The Great' is a cerebral fighter and his speed, shot-selection and footwork could cause real issues for McKee.

On the flipside, 'The Mercenary' is very effective with his long-range strikes, particularly his jabs and push-kicks. It's an incredible matchup and we'll keep our fingers crossed hoping this bout comes to fruition at some point.

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#1. Israel Adesanya (UFC) vs. Gegard Mousasi (Bellator)

Who is the best middleweight fighter on the planet?

Three men lay claim to the throne – The UFC's Israel Adesanya, Bellator's Gegard Mousasi and ONE Championship's Reinier de Ridder. All three fighters are dominant champions in their respective promotions.

While de Ridder is an excellent fighter, there are question marks as to the level of competition he's faced so far in his career. This leaves Adesanya and Mousasi as the clear-cut best middleweights in the world.

Israel Adesanya has never tasted defeat at 185 pounds. 'The Last Stylebender' has emerged as one of the biggest stars in the sport in recent times, having defended his title four times following a rapid ascent up the rankings. While his professional MMA record currently stands at 22-1, he has 80 kickboxing bouts under his belt, making him one of the most decorated combat sports athletes ever.

Gegard Mousasi, on the other hand, is a 58-fight MMA veteran. He boasts a professional record of 49-7-2, with 28 knockouts and 12 submissions. The Dutchman is a former Cage Warriors, DREAM and Strikeforce champion, in addition to being the reigning Bellator middleweight titleholder.

Interestingly, he was a top-ranked contender in the UFC before opting to sign with Bellator. He failed to come to terms with the bigger organization and subsequently jumped ship, smartly trading popularity for a bigger paycheck. While he may not be the most well-known name among casual fans, those in the know are well aware of how good he is.

A potential fight between Israel Adesanya and Gegard Mousasi will undoubtedly be a thrilling spectacle. Mousasi has almost twice as much experience as any fighter Adesanya has faced. He has beaten some of the biggest names and is among the most well-rounded fighters to ever grace the sport.

However, Adesanya is a special breed of fighter, the likes of which we've never seen before. The multi-time kickboxing world champion is far ahead of his peers in the striking realm. As his takedown defense continues to improve, it's becoming increasingly unlikely that he'll be dethroned anytime soon.

If we lived in a fantasy world where Dana White was open to cross-promoting with Bellator, Adesanya vs. Mousasi is THE fight to book.