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One of the longest-running debates in the MMA world is that of fantasy matches between our favorite combatants. Now, although some of these matches may very well be within the realm of possibility, most fantasy showdowns are characterized by variables which make it quite obvious that they may never come to fruition in real life.
Perhaps a key genre in MMA fantasy fight discussions, is that of fights between male and female competitors. Granted that bone density and hormonal differences make it biologically unfair for a man to fight a woman, if we eliminate the aforesaid biological factors and examine the equation from a purely technical standpoint, we'd find that several intriguing matches between the men and women emerge in the MMA realm.
Accordingly, for the sake of the following discussion, let's hereby assume that the size and biological differences between the male and female fighters are negligible. Today, we look at the top "5 Dream UFC Mixed Gender Matches"...
#5 Holly Holm vs. Stipe Miocic
On one hand, we have a former professional boxing world champion in Holly Holm, who is widely regarded by many as one of the greatest female pro boxers of all time. "The Preacher's Daughter" possesses masterful footwork, high-volume punching, and deadly knockout power, especially in her kicks.
Moreover, after having made the transition to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, Holm gradually developed excellent grappling skills as well -- and won the UFC Women's Bantamweight Title. On the other hand, there's Stipe Miocic who is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and well-known for his otherworldly boxing skills.
Now, in a potential fight between the duo, I'd reckon that Miocic is the more well-rounded fighter. He has a slight edge in the wrestling department, and with their BJJ, as well as striking skills, being relatively similar -- Miocic would probably end up defeating Holm...
#4 Cris Cyborg vs. Jose Aldo
Cris Cyborg is the reigning UFC Women's Featherweight Champion and is considered by the vast majority of combat sports fans and experts alike, to be the most dangerous female fighter in the world today. And rightfully so, since Cyborg truly is a force to be reckoned with!
Cyborg possesses true one-punch KO power and has excellent BJJ as well as wrestling skills. On the contrary, you have Jose Aldo, who probably has the best leg kicks in the history of MMA -- only rivaled by fellow Brazilian striking stalwart Edson Barboza in that regard.
Aldo also boasts an incredible repertoire in the grappling sphere, and in a fight with Cyborg, all signs point towards the grappling battle ending in a stalemate. Nevertheless, it'd be fair to say that Cyborg does have a slight edge in the boxing department over Aldo, and would probably outbox him in en route to a victory in a potential fight between them...
#3 Valentina Shevchenko vs. Robert Whittaker
"Bullet" is the newly-crowned UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, and the entire MMA community seems to have been set abuzz by the talented young woman finally realizing her dream of becoming UFC Champion. Valentina Shevchenko is an excellent Muay Thai practitioner, who also possesses great boxing skills.
Additionally, Shevchenko is a highly accomplished grappler, who intelligently utilizes her clinch takedowns and ground game to the very best of her abilities. Meanwhile, current UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker also boasts excellent Muay Thai, sound boxing skills, and marvelous grappling abilities.
It'd be a close fight, should these two ever square off with each other. Nevertheless, I'd have to lean towards Shevchenko to narrowly defeat Whittaker in a tense chess match of a fight!
Make no mistake about it, both fighters are extremely intelligent individuals, but while Whittaker often leaves himself open by staying in the pocket for too long, "Bullet" is swift to enter and exit exchanges on the feet. And that's where she'd likely end up beating Whittaker.
#2 Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Max Holloway
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is the former UFC Women's Straw-weight Champion, and one of the very best female fighters the sport of MMA has ever seen. "Joanna Champion" has been praised by many for her strong comeback after shockingly losing her title to Rose Namajunas by way of TKO at UFC 217.
The Polish fighter came very close to defeating Namajunas in the rematch at UFC 223 but ended up losing a decision which could've gone either way. Jedrzejczyk possesses amazing Muay Thai, and respectable grappling skills -- with her biggest attribute being the never-ending volume strikes she attacks her foes with.
On the other hand, you have reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway, who has otherworldly boxing skills, good Muay Thai fundamentals, and great grappling. Similar to the aforementioned Polish striking stalwart, Holloway too adopts a high-volume approach toward striking.
I'd have to give Holloway the advantage in a fight with Joanna Champion, mainly because his striking defense is a bit superior to that of the latter...
#1 Tatiana Suarez vs. Daniel Cormier
Tatiana Suarez is a true warrior in more ways than one. She's a bonafide survivor, who returned from a deadly neck injury as well as a battle with thyroid cancer, to become one of the top Straw-weights in the UFC today.
Suarez is regarded by many as the best wrestler in the UFC Women's Straw-weight division today and has been steadily developing her striking skills. Additionally, her ground-and-pound technique is absolutely vicious!
On the other hand, you have the reigning UFC Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion of the world, Daniel "DC" Cormier. The man who's referred to by many as "The Daddest Man On The Planet" (that's right Daddest, not Baddest!) is regarded as one of the best ambassadors this sport has ever seen.
Cormier is a former Olympic wrestler and possesses great overall grappling skills. His boxing is crisp, and footwork is great as well.
Honestly speaking, I see Suarez following the blueprint DC has laid to develop from a wrestler to a well-rounded MMA fighter, and a few years down the line, I wouldn't be surprised to see her skill-set catch up with that of Cormier.
However, if they do engage in a fight right now, their respective skill-sets would see Cormier defeat her on the feet, as the grappling game would be a stalemate.
Which dream UFC mixed gender matches would you like to see? Sound off in the comments!
