Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

The last 12 months brought us some of the biggest matchups and events in American MMA history, and let's hope the sport's rise continues in '09. We'll get off to a good start with a dream match of B.J. Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre later this month.

Along with likely matchups including Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir II and Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, we already have a good deal to look forward to, but being MMA fans, we always want more, so with that in mind, here is my list of matchups I'd like to see happen in the next 12 months:

12. Jake Shields vs. Jon Fitch
For a while now, Jake Shields (who was EliteXC's welterweight champ before the company's implosion) has thought himself to be on the same level as the UFC's best 170-pounders. With a 22-4-1 record and 11 straight wins including victories over Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit and Nick Thompson, he deserves a chance to find out. He might not be ready for a title shot just yet, but let's see how he does against another top three welterweight in Fitch, who showed a world-class heart in going the distance in a loss to Georges St. Pierre, a setback that snapped a 15-fight win streak.

11. Lyoto Machida vs. Rampage Jackson
Many fans find the karate-influenced Machida too methodial (i.e. boring) but it would be interesting to see if he could be pulled into a war by the iron-fisted Jackson. The style clash alone would make it a compelling battle. In addition, even though Machida beat Tito Ortiz, he likely needs another win over a major name before he gets a title shot. Beating the former UFC champ would give him that signature win, but it would be no easy feat.

10. Rich Franklin vs. Lyoto Machida II
They fought once before in 2003, with Machida getting the win. Franklin acknowledged later that he took Machida — who was only in his third pro fight — lightly. Now that he knows what he’s in for, it would be interesting to see if the cerebral Franklin could make the adjustments to avenge the loss.

9. Dan Henderson vs. Wanderlei Silva III
The series is tied 1-1 (Silva won in 2000, Henderson won in ’07 with both matches contested in PRIDE), and we need the rubber match. Hendo is 38, Wand is 32; they're not getting any younger.

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8. Urijah Faber vs. Leonard Garcia
Two blurs when it comes to action, Faber and Garcia would likely put on a super-speed battle that would make most heavyweights look like they're fighting in slow motion.

7. Demian Maia vs. Ricardo Almeida
Two of the best jiu-jitsu grapplers in MMA reside in the same division. Sure, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to match the unbeaten Maia with Almeida and risk his standing, but it'd be a blast to see the beauty of jiu-jitsu from two of its finest practitioners.

6. Cain Velasquez vs. Shane Carwin
Velasquez and Carwin are two of the UFC's most promising heavyweights, both undefeated big punchers with strong amateur wrestling credentials. The difference? Carwin (10-0) will be 34 in January while Velasquez (4-0) is 26. Because of the age differential, Velasquez, with his sledgehammer hands and improving ground game, is the better long-term prospect, but Carwin has enough talent to make it a true clash of giants.

5. Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
After losing to Brock Lesnar, it seemed likely that “the Natural” would drop back down to 205, but reports suggest that he's not thrilled with that idea. He and Nogueira are two of the best heavyweights ever, and would have fought if Couture hadn't left with contract issues. If Nogueira doesn't emerge from the heavyweight mini-tournament with the belt, it's time to give the fans this matchup of the masters.

4. Cung Le vs. Frank Shamrock II
Their first matchup in March had an electric atmosphere but a bit of an unsatisfying conclusion, with Shamrock unable to continue after the third round with a broken right arm. While it was certainly a legitimate win for Le, it was a fun fight that would likely produce similar fireworks the second time around, and therefore worth a sequel.