Mixed martial arts fans are always debating which Bellator fighters have what it takes to topple the best in the UFC in a Bell. With that in mind, here are 10 Bellator fighters that could beat UFC champions in an ultimate Bellator vs UFC battle.
10. Kyoji Horiguchi
Kyoji Horiguchi has long been one of the most talented fighters outside the UFC. However, he has competed in the Octagon before and proved he was worthy of a roster spot. The former RIZIN and Bellator bantamweight champion has improved by leaps and bounds since then and his speed and well-rounded game would be a problem for either UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno or 135-pound king Aljamain Sterling.
9. Ryan Bader
Ryan Bader’s best days as a light heavyweight may be behind him, but it could be argued he is just hitting his prime as a heavyweight. “Darth’s” wrestling and legitimate power would be challenging for current UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou. “The Predator” would surely be the favorite in this fight, but we have seen him fall to skilled wrestling before, and if the Bellator heavyweight champ could weather Ngannou’s early storm, the longer the fight goes the more likely Bader wins.
8. Douglas Lima
If this list was made in 2019 when Douglas Lima was one of the best Bellator fighters around after winning welterweight Grand Prix and the division title, while Kamaru Usman had just one title defense under his belt, this fight would be a pick ’em. Fast forward two years, Usman has had three destructive title defenses, “Phenom” has lost back-to-back fights for the first time, and this booking seems less competitive. But at 33, the Brazilian is still in his prime and has all the tools to give the Nigerian some nightmares. Lima has bounced back in a big way from rough patches before, I would not doubt his elite talent now. Even in a fight with Usman.
7. Gegard Mousasi
There aren’t many fighters out there that can offer the sort of style that poses very real threats for UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya everywhere. But that is the sort of special talent Gegard Mousasi is, even at 36. “The Dreamcatcher” is still an elite 185-pound talent in the sport. His kickboxing is something that Adesanya would need to respect, but his underrated strength, combined with the Dutch Iranian’s gifts as a grappler, and you have a fighter Izzy would need to be careful with at all times. Adesanya vs Mousasi is a true-blue competitive dream fight.
6. Corey Anderson
Corey Anderson landing on this list was an easy choice because he’s already beaten the former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. It stands to reason he could also give the new champ in Glover Teixeira a rough night as well. The version of “Overtime” we have seen in Bellator seems far more angry and ferocious. That could be trouble for a very talented but also well-aged Teixeira.
5. Patricio Pitbull
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is the greatest fighter in Bellator history. Point blank and period. Be it featherweight or as a pocket Hercules at lightweight, the Brazilian great would be a hard night for the UFC’s best in either weight. His explosive power is special, but he also has an absurdly underrated mat game. He has broken records in becoming the major promotion’s resident GOAT, and that is more than enough reason to expect he has what it takes to beat an Octagon champion.
4. Sergio Pettis
Sergio Pettis was long viewed as just Anthony Pettis’ little brother. However, as the former UFC lightweight champion’s star has lost its luster, his little bro has only gotten better. Since winning the Bellator championship belt he has become the premiere Pettis in the MMA game. His mix of former flyweight speed, very technical striking and a sound grappling game could easily give his UFC counterpart Aljamain Sterling trouble. Yet, what makes Pettis a significant threat to the best 135-pounders in the UFC, is at 28, we probably still haven’t even seen the best version of him.
3. Cris Cyborg
Even at 36, and 16 years into her career, Cris “Cyborg” Justino is a top-two women’s featherweight in the world. It just so happens that #1 is the UFC side of the coin in Amanda Nunes, and she already owns a W over Justino. “Cyborg’s” 51 second KO loss to “The Lioness” at UFC 232 was a nightmare night at the office. However, it was a night where she fought recklessly and paid for it. The patient and tactical Justino we have seen as Bellator featherweight champ is a very different fighter and could test Nunes in a rematch just as competitively as Valentina Shevchenko has. The only difference is, “Cyborg” has the put-your-lights-out power that “Bullet” doesn’t.
2. Vadim Nemkov
Vadim Nemkov is the other Bellator light heavyweight that has what it takes to knock off the current UFC 205-pound champ Glover Texeira. The reigning Bellator 205-pound champion is young, fast, powerful, and is still only getting better after just 16 professional fights. The Team Fedor product has a video game mix of talents that could give the Brazilian a world of problems. The UFC veteran has a massive experience advantage but his youth, technique, and knockout power is a hell of an equalizer.
1. AJ McKee
The mantle that was once held by men like Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Douglas Lima, Nick Diaz, and Jiri Prochzaka has now passed to the new Bellator featherweight king. AJ McKee is the best fighter in the world not in the UFC. And when you hold that mantle at just 26-years-old you are most certainly the type of fighter gifted enough to beat UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski. Without a doubt, Volkanovski would be a favorite, but in a best of three, or five, series — spread out over several years — my money is on “Mercenary” getting the best of the Aussie.
