Five ONE vs UFC bouts the world needs to see

Clashes between active mixed martial arts world champions from different promotions have never happened.

But even if those matches haven’t yet occurred, there’s still reason to dream, especially with crossover bouts happening in different sports. That said, showdowns between champions from ONE Championship and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are intriguing.

Let’s take a look at some potentially salivating matchups featuring the biggest MMA stars in the world.

Joshua “The Passion” Pacio Vs. Brandon Moreno

This clash between the ONE Strawweight and UFC Flyweight World Champions could end quickly, considering the aggressive style of the two.

While they are both well-rounded fighters, the fight will boil down to who imposes their strengths more. Pacio has the edge in striking while Moreno dominates with his slick ground game.

The Team Lakay mainstay has stated that he wanted to face Moreno due to their similar success stories starting from humble beginnings.

“The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan Vs. Rose Namajunas

A showdown between two fearless women champions with solid punching skills and unlimited energy? Count us in.

Perhaps the most exciting crossover battle in the women’s division will pit the ONE Women’s Strawweight and UFC Strawweight World Champions against each other because they continue to take the fight to their opponents despite taking damage.

It’s impossible to see this faceoff going the distance given the 18 total finishes between the two warriors.

Ok Rae Yoon Vs. Charles Oliveira

The bout between the ONE Lightweight and UFC Lightweight World Champions should be an exciting clash of styles.

Ok is a crafty and dangerous pressure fighter who can take damage while stalking his opponents on the feet. Meanwhile, Oliveira is one of the most successful submission artists in the UFC.

Whoever outsmarts their rival by bringing the fight to their comfort zone is the potential winner of this mixed martial arts dream match.

Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes Vs. Aljamain Sterling

This faceoff will shape up to be a chess match between two of the best grapplers in the bantamweight division.

ONE Bantamweight World Champion Fernandes gains the upper hand in traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for being a multiple world champion in the sport. On the other hand, UFC Bantamweight World Champion Sterling blended his Matt Serra-taught jiu-jitsu with his wrestling expertise.

They have a total of 17 submission wins between themselves, and whoever blinks first might be the one to tap out.

Reinier “Dutch Knight” de Ridder Vs. Israel Adesanya

Lastly, it’s a quintessential grappler versus striker match should the ONE Middleweight and UFC Middleweight World Champions have a go.

De Ridder comes in with nine submission wins to his name, including consecutive rear-naked choke victories over former two-division world champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang.

He’s shown great craftiness in cutting the distance between him and Aung La N Sang, resulting in two impressive victories. But can he do the same against Adesanya, who many consider as one of the world’s most devastating strikers? Making this fight happen is the only way to find out.