Cross promotional MMA fights. The best of one versus the best of another would be great, wouldn’t it? Someone called into my podcast “MMA Afterthought” and said they would “love to see the UFC’S best against Bellator MMA’S best,” but we’re kind of getting that now aren’t we?

If you look at the upcoming card for Bellator 183 this weekend in San Jose, California we have former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson facing Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and the co-main event of former UFC heavyweight contender, “Big Country” Roy Nelson facing Bellator heavyweight Javy Ayala who knocked out Sergei Kharitonov in his last fight.

Also recently announced is a title fight with former UFC top welterweight contender Rory Macdonald against current Bellator welterweight champion, Douglas Lima. Lima is coming fresh off a victory over another former UFC top ranked contender in Lorenz Larkin. Larkin coincidentally is fighting Paul Daley (also formerly in the UFC) this weekend as well.

In a recent interview with Flocombat, lightweight New Jersey native and UFC veteran, Jim Miller recently said he is focusing more on the business side of this part of his MMA career and Bellator is obviously his best option.

It may not be billed that way but in some ways we are getting those kinds of fights. More importantly, in more ways than one, it is Bellator vs. The UFC this weekend.

What do you think?

Full bout listing for both MMA and Kickboxing

Bellator 183: Henderson vs. Pitbull Fight Card

Lightweight Main Event: Benson Henderson (24–7) vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (17–8)

Welterweight Main Card Bout: Paul Daley (39–15–2) vs. Lorenz Larkin (18–6, 1 NC)

Heavyweight Main Card Bout: Roy Nelson (22–14) vs. Javy Ayala (10–5)

Featherweight Main Card Bout: Aaron Pico (0–1) vs. Justin Linn (7–3)

Lightweight Main Card Bout: Adam Piccolotti (9–0) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (21–3)

Preliminary Card:

Women’s Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Brooke Mayo (0–1) vs. Kaytlin Neil (0–2)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Fernando Gonzalez (1–0) vs. Alex Lopez (3–0)

Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Gaston Bolanos (1–0) vs. Brandon Laroco (1–1)

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tony Johnson (4–3) vs. Mike Ortega (2–3)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Justin Tenedora (1–0) vs. Ricardo Vasquez (Debut)

Women’s Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Jaimelene Nievera (4–3) vs. Corina Herrera (3–3)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: J.J. Okanovich (4–1) vs. Luis Jauregui (4–2)

Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Daniel Gonzalez (1–0) vs. Anthony Castrejon (1–1)

Bellator Kickboxing 7: Ross vs. Lomurno Fight Card

Featherweight Kickboxing World Title Bout: Kevin Ross (44–11) vs. Domenico Lomurno (22–8)

Welterweight Kickboxing World Title Bout: Karim Ghajji (98–13–1) vs. Raymond Daniels (13–3)

Middleweight Kickboxing Main Card Bout: Joe Schilling (20–9) vs. Najib Idali (28–6–1)

Women’s Featherweight Kickboxing Main Card Bout: Jorina Baars (41–0–3) vs. Anke Van Gestel (34–11–3)

Featherweight Kickboxing Bout: Joe Palacios (7–7) vs. Malaipet (145–31–6)

Preliminary Card:

Featherweight Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Jacob Ycaro (Debut) vs. Jonathan Tan (Debut)

Women’s Flyweight Kickboxing Preliminary Bout: Gloria Telles (2–0) vs. Shannah Gozo (5–1)