Title Unification Bouts

As is readily apparent by now, the UFC 75 Champion vs. Champion bout will unify the UFC and PRIDE titles. I don't think I'd be going out on a limb in suggesting that this type of event will become a trend. From UFC 44: Undisputed to Professional Wrestling to Boxing...well, actually, forget about Boxing...my point is that title unification is here to stay! In that light, I'm going to take a look at the bouts that would take place in order to unify the current UFC and PRIDE belts.

Since the weight classes for UFC and PRIDE overlap, weights will be used rather than traditional names for all classes but Heavyweight.

Heavyweight: Randy Couture (UFC) vs. Fedor Emelianenko (PRIDE)
As much as I love "The Natural," I think that this is a disaster for the veteran. Fedor is too calm, too skilled, and too strong. He's got a great chin, wicked submissions, and striking to boot. Sports Illustrated used to do a segment where they would take a body part from 8 of the best quarterbacks in the league in order to create what was supposed to be the ultimate quarterback. If they did a similar exercise for MMA, Fedor would be created. He's way too much for Randy to handle.
Title unified under: Fedor Emelianenko

205 pounds: Quinton Jackson (UFC) vs. Dan Henderson (PRIDE)
I like Dan Henderson and I'm not calling his KO of Wandy a fluke...but I don't know if he could do it again. Hendo's lost to Arona and both Nogueiras in PRIDE competition while Rampage nearly killed Arona. Rampage is just too powerful for Henderson to handle and has more momentum coming off of Liddell than Henderson does off of Silva.
Title unified under: Quinton Jackson

185 pounds: Anderson Silva (UFC) vs. Dan Henderson (PRIDE)
No love for Hollywood today...whereas Rampage is too strong for Henderson to control, Silva is too quick and accurate for Henderson to keep up with. Silva is able to use his lanky reach to keep Henderson at a good enough distance for the Muay Thai Dream Team member to pick his spots and land knees en route to a brutal finish.
Title unified under: Anderson Silva

170 pounds: Matt Serra (UFC) vs. VACANT
Since PRIDE does not have a Light heavyweight division, instead knocking Middleweight to 205 pounds and Welterweight to 185 pounds, Matt Serra has no one to fight and retains his belt in this ambiguous weight class.
Title unified under: Matt Serra

155 pounds: Sean Sherk (UFC) vs. Takanori Gomi (PRIDE)
Although Sherk probably dominates in the take down portion of the fight, I don't think that his LNP stands up to the experience Gomi has gained by fighting guys like Hellboy Hansen and BJ Penn (especially since Sherk's been fighting Florian and Huerta). We all know Sherk can last five rounds, but Gomi is an absolute finisher with only one of his last four wins going to a decision.
Title unified under: Takanori Gomi

Post your thoughts below!