Matt Brown: The word on the street is that we’re going to get Mir vs. Lesnar 3. Mir has all the confidence in the world in his abilities and after seeing Lesnar at UFC 121, I’m sure he’s feeling even better about a possible trilogy.
Jeremy Botter: Given their history together, I don’t like Frank Mir’s chances against Lesnar in a third bout. But he’s got to be feeling good right about now. Of course, given that Shane Carwin is now out of his bout with Roy Nelson, that might be a prime position for Mir to assume if the UFC feels the need.
8. Alistair Overeem
Matt Brown: After a rough patch where he lost five of seven fights 2006-2007, Overeem has gone on an eight-fight win streak (one no contest), all ending by way of various stoppage. Nobody knows what’s next for Overeem, but there’s Fedor, Antonio Silva and Werdum out there and any of those would make for a fun fight.
Jeremy Botter: Overeem won’t be back in Strikeforce until next summer. It’s a shame, too, because he made quite the impact this year for the promotion. In the meantime, he’ll work in K-1 and continue becoming the best striker in the heavyweight division.
9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Matt Brown: This might be the twilight of the MMA legends career, but he’s still a very dangerous fighter that is going to be rough for anyone. Bad losses to Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez leave the one-time pound for pound great in limbo.
Jeremy Botter: I’d like to see Brendan Schaub get Nogueira next. It would be a fine test for Schaub’s standing as a prospect, and it would go a long way towards telling us if the oft-injured Nogueira has anything left in his legendary tank.
10. Antonio Silva
Matt Brown: He’s only fought once in 2010 and that really isn’t his fault. Next, he gets Overeem – the Valentijn version as opposed to the Alistair version. He’s basically a .500 MMA fighter that really won’t get Silva too much quality action in the cage.
Jeremy Botter: He’s fighting the wrong Overeem, but it’s a start.
