Top ten Chicago athletes who could make it in UFC

Truth be told, 1990's WWF is more our game than UFC. Still, with UFC making its Chicago debut last weekend, we were left thinking about Chicago athletes who could have been successful in mixed martial arts.

10. Alexei Ramirez

Fighter comparison: Anderson Silva

We know one thing: Alexei would have no problem cutting weight. And at 6-3, he'd probably be a lot taller than all the other skinny dudes he'd be fighting. Reach, brah. Also, and I'm not sure why I believe this, but I'm almost positive Alexei could throw killer knees and elbows.

9. Mac Koshwal

Fighter comparison: Cheick Kongo

He's 6-9, 235 and runs the floor like someone half his size. Also: no one knows who he is. That's a recipe for a fighter if I've ever heard one.

8. Ron Zook

Fighter comparison: Randy Couture

Ron Zook pisses intensity. That much is true. We're just unsure if the Zooker could ever dedicate himself to anything more than texting 16-year old boys. And we mean that as sort of a complement, I guess.

7. Nick Swisher

Fighter comparison: Keith Jardine

Swish's greatest asset could be his versatility, which would serve him well in MMA. He certainly already has the look of an MMA fighter.

6. Dusty Dvoracek

Fighter comparison: Andrei Arlovski

UFC fighters aren't always the strongest guys in the world, or the most athletic. But they are usually the craziest. Dvoracek has a history of anger problems. He was also a recovering alcoholic before turning 21. He should fit right in.

5. Joakim Noah

Fighter comparison: Paulo Cesar de Silva

We just hope Noah's post-fight celebration would be the same dance he uses to fire up the Bulls before the start of each game.

4. Carlos Quentin

Fighter comparison: BJ Penn

Being a UFC fighter requires great discipline. Quentin's .394 on-base percentage should suffice.

3. Adam Burish

Fighter comparison: Forest Griffin

Really, I was just torn on who would make the better UFC fighter: Burish or Pat Kane. Slight, slight edge to Burish.

2. Brian Urlacher

Fighter comparison: Brock Lesnar

Urlacher and Lesnar actually have a lot in common. Both come from small towns, are soft spoken, have rad tattoos, and moonlight as freak athletes. But only one is married to Sable. Advantage: Lesnar.

1. Carlos Zambrano

Fighter comparison: Chuck Liddell

Power, anger, agression, craziness. Z is everything you want in a top notch MMA fighter. Let's just hope Lou Piniella isn't managing him as a figher, or Z may not enter the octagon until the second round of a fight.