5 intriguing veteran vs. veteran fights to book in the UFC

#2. Nick Diaz vs. Matt Brown – UFC welterweight bout

The aura and folklore that surrounds Nick Diaz is unlike any other UFC fighter. While he was branded and marketed as an antagonist during his early run in the promotion, the Stockton native is now ubiquitously beloved by the MMA community, despite competing just once in the last seven years.

Newer fans of the sport may know him for being the older brother of Nate Diaz. However, he isn't just any old MMA fighter. Diaz was the reigning Strikeforce welterweight champion when the promotion was absorbed by the UFC, with three title defenses to his name. He even had a stint in the Dana White-led promotion before the Strikeforce days.

After his main event clash against Anderson Silva back in 2015, Diaz was handed a five-year ban from USADA after testing positive for marijuana. While the ban was later reduced, he opted to remain on the sidelines for over half a decade.

In his most recent outing, he took on Robbie Lawler at UFC 266, where he succumbed to a third-round TKO loss. While many believed that this would be his last fight, his longtime coach Cesar Gracie recently claimed that Diaz could return later this year.

If Nick Diaz is indeed returning to the octagon, the promotion will likely match him up with another veteran. Matt Brown certainly fits the bill and a potential bout between him and Diaz will undoubtedly produce fireworks.

Brown has been on the roster since 2008. He made his promotional debut at UFC 88 and has remained active throughout. The 41-year-old Ohio native has always been fun to watch, with his stand-and-bang style earning him numerous post-fight bonuses over the years.

'The Immortal' has lived up to his nickname, having recently signed a new deal with the promotion.

With Matt Brown staying active the entire time Nick Diaz was sidelined, the former has taken significantly more damage over the years. However, his tendency to stay active has its merits, as there's no risk of ring rust.

Diaz hasn't won a fight in over a decade, with his last victory coming against B.J. Penn back in 2011. He needs a winnable fight if the rumors surrounding his return are legitimate and this matchup appears to be the only one that makes sense.

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#1. Jose Aldo vs. Dominick Cruz – UFC bantamweight bout

Most of the MMA veterans discussed in this article so far are largely competing for the fun of it. While some are seeking one last hurrah, others are looking for matchups that excite and motivate them. In contrast, former UFC champions Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz are tantalizingly close to another shot at gold.

Both Aldo and Cruz were dominant WEC champions until 2011, when they were handed the UFC featherweight and bantamweight titles respectively. They reigned over their respective divisions with an iron fist for the next few years and were regarded among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

At the time, there wasn't much talk of the duo fighting one another as this was before Conor McGregor singlehandedly raised the bar by becoming the first-ever champ-champ. While we have seen many champions in the modern era attempt to replicate the Irishman's feat, it was never a common practice before 2015.

Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz [Images via @ODDSbible & @MMAHistoryToday on Twitter]

Aldo, the former featherweight kingpin, has enjoyed a commendable career resurgence since dropping down to bantamweight. In his last fight, the Brazilian legend put on a clinic against top-tanked 135-pound contender Rob Font to make his way into the divisional top five.

With T.J. Dillashaw and bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling likely set to contest for the belt later this year, Jose Aldo can solidify his claim to a title shot with one more victory. He has called for a fight against fellow legend and future Hall of Famer Dominick Cruz on numerous occasions.

Cruz is arguably the greatest 135-pound fighter of all time. His dominant championship run, across the WEC and the UFC, solidified his status as one of the best fighters around at the time. Despite being plagued by injuries throughout his career, he is still one of the top bantamweights on the planet, which is a testament to his mental resolve.

Cruz has never lost a non-championship fight. Now pushing 40, 'The Dominator' is smart enough to realize that he is likely amidst the last stretch of his fighting career. If he is to re-claim the throne he once owned, there can be zero argument as to who the bantamweight GOAT is.

To get a championship opportunity, Cruz will need to beat a top-ranked contender. He has been vocal about a potential clash with Jose Aldo previously, acknowledging the historic and nostalgic pertinence of a matchup that's been over a decade in the making.

This is a rare circumstance in MMA and no weight class outside the UFC bantamweight division can offer such a unique matchup. Jose Aldo vs. Dominick Cruz would not only be an incredibly nostalgic sight to behold for longtime fans of the sport, it's also a high stakes affair.

While the victor will put himself in a fantastic position in terms of title contention, the loser will likely have to bid adieu to his championship aspirations.

It would be an absolute travesty if this fight doesn't come to fruition. Let's just hope the UFC matchmakers see it the same way.

Dominick Cruz (left) & Jose Aldo (right) [Image via @DiaztwinsMMA on Twitter]