5 explosive striker vs. wrestler fights to make in the UFC

It's always interesting when the UFC matchmakers pit a striker against a wrestler. This clash of specialists essentially comes down to which fighters can impose their will on their opponents, forcing them to fight without their best tools.

The historic Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor grudge match is among the biggest fights we've ever seen between two specialists in their craft.

NOPE! #UFC229 https://t.co/ABHJ8rG4Sa

These matchups have a strong presence in the UFC, but as the new generation of well-rounded MMA stars breaks through, expect such pairings to become a thing of the past as the sport continues to evolve.

WIth that said, here are five striker vs. wrestler fights to book in the UFC.

#5. Rose Namajunas vs. Tatiana Suarez

Tatiana Suarez's long-awaited return to action delivered on all fronts as she submitted flyweight contender Montana De La Rosa in February. After nearly four years on the sidelines dealing with injuries, the undefeated phenom is now gunning for UFC gold.

While she did compete in a flyweight bout on her return, Suarez has made it clear that her next fight will be against a top-ranked strawweight. With the 115-pound belt in her sights, the 32-year-old has repeatedly called out former champion Rose Namajunas.

Tatiana Suarez targets Rose Namajunas or any "really good opponent" to secure a title shot after winning her long-awaited return.

#UFCVegas70 | Full video: bit.ly/3kmmIG0 https://t.co/eKdBO1Hlsy

Rose Namajunas is the fighter to beat to earn a title shot in the 115-pound division. She holds two wins over current strawweight queen Zhang Weili and seemingly has the best case for a shot at the championship, despite her last fight being her lackluster loss to Carla Esparza.

A fight between 'Thug Rose' and Tatiana Suarez would determine a clear-cut No.1 contender in the division. It's an interesting clash of styles as well, pitting Namajunas' cerebral striking against Suarez's relentless wrestling and submission threat.

As we saw in her last fight, Namajunas has the skills to evade takedowns, so would have a good chance of becoming the first fighter to defeat Suarez. On the flipside, Suarez clearly sees holes she can exploit, making this a fun, competitive and high-stakes clash.

Suarez vs. Namajunas [Images via @tatianasuarezufc & @rosenamajunas on Instagram]

#4. Alex Perez vs. Muhammad Mokaev

Muhammad Mokaev has been nothing short of sensational since signing with the UFC last year. 'The Punisher' is now 4-0 in the promotion with three submission wins, which have seen him climb to the No.12 spot in the flyweight rankings.

WIth his lofty goal of surpassing Jon Jones as the youngest champion in UFC history, the 22-year-old needs to win the title by early next year to achieve this feat, so needs wins over top-ranked contenders to ascend the ranks.

21-year-old @muhammadmokaev is aiming to take Jon Jones' record 👀

✍️ via @arielhelwani's MMA Hour https://t.co/9OAFObIooe

No.6-ranked Alex Perez would be the ideal next opponent for the surging Muhammad Mokaev. Perez was scheduled to fight Manel Kape at UFC San Antonio, but was forced to withdraw with a medical emergency just hours before the bout.

Given that he's coming off two losses, Perez isn't in a position to turn down Mokaev, who sits six spots behind him in the rankings. It's a tough matchup for him as well, especially considering the nature of his two losses – both first-round submission defeats.

Perez is still a dangerous striker and has put fighters away with his devastating leg-kicks and crisp boxing. This is an ideal step-up in competition for Mokaev, who can move tantalizingly close to a title shot with a win.

Mokaev wants that smoke 😮‍💨

@muhammadmokaev vows to retire @alexperezMMA 🔥 https://t.co/45nvSKOz1k

#3. Cory Sandhagen vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Cory Sandhagen re-established himself as a real threat to the title with a scintillating performance against Marlon Vera in the UFC San Antonio headliner. Now likely just one big win away from a championship opportunity, the American called out No.1-ranked Merab Dvalishvili for a title eliminator bout.

Cory Sandhagen has a message for Merab Dvalishvili 🗣 #UFCSanAntonio https://t.co/AUuZ60Lnbz

With No.2-ranked Sean O'Malley seemingly guaranteed the winner of the upcoming Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo title fight, Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen is the fight to make atop the bantamweight division.

Dvalishvili has already broken numerous wrestling-based records and is arguably the best wrestler in the division. His skills on the mat, coupled with his limitless cardio, makes for a lethal combination. However, 'The Machine' will have a real challenge on his hands against a smooth operator like Sandhagen.

'The Sandman' is already considered one of the best strikers in the division, but in his last two fights against Song Yadong and Marlon Vera, showed new wrinkles to his wrestling game. Sandhagen will likely need a knockout to defeat Dvalishvili, who could just as easily grind out a decision win.

This matchup showcases the very best the bantamweight division has to offer.

Merab Dvalishvili responds to Cory Sandhagen's callout 👀

#UFC #MMA | @MerabDvalishvil @ufc https://t.co/yvr5J7R0ri

#2. Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington – UFC welterweight title fight

The only championship bout on our list pits reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards against former interim champion Colby Covington, a pairing that looks set in stone after UFC 286 earlier this year.

Dana White confirmed at the UFC 286 post-fight presser that Covington is next in line for the title, and despite Edwards' qualms about 'Chaos' getting a title shot after a year of inactivity, the next welterweight title fight is already all but finalized.

Dana White announced during the #UFC286 post-fight press conference that Colby Covington will get a title shot next against Leon Edwards 👀

WHAT A MATCHUP 🔥 https://t.co/JHAIHZvd5z

After back-to-back training camps preparing for Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards should feel comfortable against another strong wrestler like Colby Covington. In his trilogy fight against Usman earlier this year, 'Rocky' prevented the former champion from taking him down repeatedly and picked him apart on the feet to retain his title.

However, Covington's wrestling offense isn't the same as Usman's. 'Chaos' is a master at chain-wrestling and has one of the best gas tanks in MMA, which was on full display in his last outing against Jorge Masvidal last year. Edwards will have to be at his best against Covington if he is to come out on top.

Edwards has grown from strength to strength over the last few years and is brimming with confidence. If he can silence a superstar like Covington, expect his stock to hit astronomical heights, teeing up massive and lucrative matchups down the line.

Colby Covington vows to “break” Leon Edwards when they share the octagon.

Full story: bit.ly/3KiCiww https://t.co/xmdFs3yNMO

#1. Paulo Costa vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Paulo Costa and Khamzat Chimaev have been on a collision course for quite some time now. Ever since their altercation at the UFC Performance Institute last year, a fight between the two has seemed inevitable.

With Costa recently signing a new deal and Chimaev seemingly committing to the middleweight division, it looks like this matchup will finally come to fruition.

🚨The UFC are aiming to put a middleweight matchup together between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa

Who wants to see this bout materialise?

Per (@MayerMeni) https://t.co/qCgfljzRH1

Khamzat Chimaev has made no secret of his desire to fight for the middleweight title and likely needs a win over a top-ranked 185-pounder to break into the rankings. Paulo Costa holds the No.5 spot on the middleweight ladder, and given the obvious animosity between the two, this matchup is a no-brainer.

This will certainly prove to be a tough test for the unbeaten Chimaev. Costa has stellar takedown defense as was evident in his fight against Yoel Romero, so 'Borz' won't find it easy keeping 'Borrachinha' on the mat. Additionally, the Brazilian is a powerful and far more experienced striker, which doesn't bode well for Chimaev.

The middleweight title will be contested between two elite strikers, Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, next week. Chimaev will likely be the betting favorite against either fighter, but needs to enter the rankings first. Costa is certainly a tough test and this fight is all but guaranteed to produce fireworks.

Is this the next fight to make? Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa 👀🔥 @KChimaev @BorrachinhaMMA https://t.co/aQhKEFWciY