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Spring Flings: 10 UFC contenders' bouts coming to the Octagon soon

Kyle Terada / USA TODAY

With all the trepidation surrounding the state of the UFC under its WME-IMG overlords, the fact remains that the promotion is still home to the world's greatest fighters.

Fans may be displeased with some of the nonsensical, cash grab bouts that the matchmakers have cooked up recently (Michael Bisping-GSP anyone?), but there is so much talent on the roster that there are still plenty of exciting fights on the horizon.

This week, we've taken a look at streaking fighters who are currently in limbo and bouts that can be made to clear up this logjam. Now we focus on scheduled matchups featuring top-10 contenders that will take place this spring and have a major impact on the rest of 2017.

(Official UFC divisional ranking in parentheses)

Chris Weidman (4) vs. Gegard Mousasi (5)
Ronaldo Souza (3) vs. Robert Whittaker (6)

This list starts off with four elite middleweights being forced to devour one another as they wait to see what happens with divisional champion Michael Bisping.

Weidman is only 15 months removed from being a UFC champion and he's taking a gamble at UFC 210 on April 8 by fighting Mousasi, a 49-fight veteran who has looked unstoppable in his past four fights.

The other half of this unofficial semifinals for a title shot is "Jacare" vs. Whittaker, which takes place a week later at UFC on FOX 24. On an absurd 10-1 stretch, Jacare is in the mix alongside Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold, but he'll have to fend off the white-hot Whittaker to keep his spot. Whittaker has won six straight bouts.

The last two years have seen the formerly maligned middleweight division become thick with contenders and these two fights should lead to at least one receiving a much-deserved championship bid.

Demian Maia (3) vs. Jorge Masvidal (5)

Maia's gentlemanly behavior is well-documented, especially as he continues to wait patiently for a title shot while making grown men look completely foolish with his brilliant jiu-jitsu displays. His reward for not rocking the boat?

A tough match with the gritty Masvidal at UFC 211 on May 13.

While Maia is sure to have the grappling advantage, you'd be hard-pressed to find an opponent who is as willing to engage in every phase of MMA as Masvidal. With both fighters having done more than enough in their careers to vie for a UFC belt, this one will have a heartbreaking result no matter who wins.

Rose Namajunas (4) vs. Michelle Waterson (6)

The top 10 of the UFC strawweight division is filled with talent and two of the best will go to war on April 15 when Rose Namajunas takes on Michelle Waterson.

Namajunas is actually coming off of a close split decision loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz, but she could get right back to the front of the line with a win over Waterson. "The Karate Hottie" submitted golden girl Paige VanZant last December and if she can claim Namajunas' scalp, she'll show the UFC that she has as much star potential as anyone.

John Dodson (7) vs. Eddie Wineland (10)

Nestled away on a strange UFC Fight Night 108 lineup that features Artem Lobov in a headlining spot is this key bantamweight encounter between John Dodson and Eddie Wineland. Both men have challenged for a title in the past (Dodson at 125 pounds), so this speed vs. power matchup is more than just a curiosity.

If Dodson can pick up the W, he'll shrug off a narrow split decision loss to John Lineker in his last outing and re-establish himself as one to watch at 135 pounds.

Eddie Alvarez (3) vs. Dustin Poirier (9)

Alvarez didn't want to move backward in the rankings, but other than a rematch with Conor McGregor, or a fight with Tony Ferguson or Khabib Nurmagomedov, there aren't a lot of options for the former UFC lightweight champion.

"The Underground King" made his name off of engaging in all-out brawls with anyone willing to step to the plate, so expect him to put on a spirited 15 minutes of fisticuffs at UFC 211 against Poirier even if it does little to improve his standing with the company.

Henry Cejudo (2) vs. Sergio Pettis (6)

Olympic wrestling gold medalist Henry Cejudo surged to a title shot after just 10 pro fights and he could find his fortunes abruptly reversed if Sergio Pettis hands him a third straight loss at UFC 211.

The 23-year-old Pettis is trending in the opposite direction having won three straight by unanimous decision. He's finally beginning to show the promise that convinced the UFC to sign him as a teenager and he's poised to make a quantum leap if he can beat Cejudo.

Frankie Edgar (2) vs. Yair Rodriguez (8)

At 35 years old with numerous title fights under his belt, the question has to be asked if Edgar is at the stage of his career where the UFC is keeping him around to allow younger fighters to make a name off of him.

That question will be answered at UFC 211 when Edgar goes head-to-head with Mexican blue chipper Yair "El Pantera" Rodriguez. The "Ultimate Fighter: Latin America" winner has looked like a future world champion and his stock will skyrocket with a victory over a former one.

Alexander Gustasfsson (2) vs. Glover Teixeira (3)

Both Gustafsson and Teixeira have already fallen short in title challenges against former champion Jon Jones, but they've maintained their lofty rankings due to the dearth of talent at 205 pounds.

When they meet at UFC Fight Night 109 on May 28, the winner could get the next crack at the light heavyweight title, while the loser tumbles down the ladder.

Claudia Gadelha (1) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (2)

Last but not least is the lone fight on this list between the undisputed top-two contenders in their division. Strawweights Claudia Gadelha and Karolina Kowalkiewicz are both itching for another shot at Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but they have to deal with each other first at UFC 212 on June 3.

The hill is a little more steep for Gadelha who has already lost twice to Jedrzejczyk, but she needs this win to keep her position or else hope that the UFC starts a 125-lb division so she can fight for a belt there.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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