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Since taking over as UFC president, Dana White has put many memorable fights together that fans wanted to see. However, there have been many potential super fights that ended up becoming missed opportunities.
For years, there have been fights that fans have clamored for and have not gotten the chance to see. Timing is everything for the UFC and sometimes they have been guilty of taking a little too much time. Here is a list of 5 fights that were missed opportunities for the UFC.
#5. UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn vs. UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber
It’s crazy to think that two of the biggest stars of the sports’ lighter weight classes never faced off inside the octagon. A missed opportunity for the UFC was not setting up a fight between then-UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn and then-WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.
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The WEC joined the Zuffa banner in 2007, when both Penn and Faber were champions of their divisions. Looking back at each fighter's record, the perfect time would have been late 2008. Faber retained his title against former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver at WEC 34 on June 1, 2008, while Penn retained his title against Sean Sherk at UFC 84 on May 24, 2008.
Penn-Faber would have been the perfect Zuffa ad for the WEC because the UFC did not have a bantamweight or featherweight division at that time. The bantamweight and featherweight divisions would not join the UFC until the WEC merger in 2010. Penn-Faber would have been a great introduction to the WEC’s lighter weight-classes.
Timing wise, the fight could have taken place in September 2008. Faber’s title defense against Mike Brown and Penn’s title shot against Georges St-Pierre could have then been slightly pushed back.
Another instance where the fight could have been booked was in 2014, when Penn moved down to 145lbs. Instead of Frankie Edgar coaching opposite BJ Penn on The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC could have gone with Urijah Faber.
#4. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Anthony Johnson
One of the UFC's biggest what-ifs is a fight between Jon Jones and Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson. It’s crazy to think that the first 5 years of Johnson’s MMA career saw him competing at welterweight. In 2014, Johnson would reach his true potential when he returned to the promotion as a light heavyweight. Based on his impressive performances, Johnson earned the opportunity to challenge Jones for the title.
Jones was expected to defend his UFC light-heavyweight championship against Johnson in the main event of UFC 187. The fight ended up being canceled after Jones was involved in a hit-and-run and stripped of his title. As a result, Daniel Cormier replaced 'Bones' and went on to submit Johnson to become the new champion.
Based on Johnson’s knockout power and fighting style, many believed that he would be able to dethrone the dominant champion. Unfortunately, the fight was not rescheduled and fans never got to find out how it would have gone.
#3. Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg
Coming in third is then-UFC women’s bantamweight champion 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg. From a marketing standpoint, Cyborg-Rousey could have had an enormous impact on the growth of women’s MMA. The promotion could also have further capitalized by having Cyborg and Rousey coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Rousey was undefeated at the time and was dominating the women’s bantamweight division. The former Olympian was a big pay-per-view draw and became a crossover celebrity.
Cyborg was on a different level, striking-wise, and the most feared fighter in women’s MMA at the time.
Unfortunately, fans will never find out as Rousey retired after her loss to Amanda Nunes. Cyborg signed with Bellator MMA after her contract expired, where she is currently the reigning Bellator women’s featherweight champion.
#2. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar
To this day, MMA fans wonder what would have happened if Fedor Emelianenko had accepted the UFC’s offer. 'The Last Emperor' would not have had just any ordinary fight in his debut. Instead, Emelianenko was offered an immediate title shot against then-UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.
'The Last Emperor' defeated many former UFC heavyweight champions during his career including Mark Coleman, Tim Sylvia, and Andrei Arlovski. Emelianenko also has victories over top UFC contenders like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mirko Cro Cop.
It would have been interesting to see whether Lesnar could take down Emelianenko and control him like he did against Frank Mir. Lesnar was much bigger than Emelianenko and possessed incredible athleticism for his size. On the other hand, Emelianenko possessed a great deal of experience and adaptability.
Emelianenko-Lesnar was a massive opportunity that the UFC missed out on. Emelianenko’s legacy and Lesnar’s popularity would have made for a spectacle for the sport. It is a shame that Dana White and Emelianenko’s management could not find common ground on a deal.
White has said in interviews that Lesnar vs. Emelianenko was the only fight he regretted not being able to book. White confirmed AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas would have been the venue, making it potentially one of the most profitable fights in UFC history.
#1. Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre
Topping this list of biggest missed opportunities is Anderson 'The Spider' Silva vs. Georges 'Rush' St-Pierre. For years, many wondered if the UFC would book a super fight between two of the greatest of all-time. What made the fight appealing was that both were the best in the world and in their prime.
At the time, Silva was the reigning UFC middleweight champion and St-Pierre was the reigning UFC welterweight champion. Both fighters had cleaned out their respective divisions. Based on their dominance, the natural assumption was that it was only a matter of time before they would fight.
Dana White was asked on a frequent basis whether both would agree to a catchweight fight. White usually replied that the fight was realistic provided they each get through the next contender in their respective divisions.
Prior to Silva’s title defense against Demian Maia at UFC 112, it seemed like the fight with St-Pierre was in the works. Instead of GSP moving up to challenge Silva for his title, Silva was reportedly willing to cut down to 170lbs.
Silva did not even break a sweat against Maia and cruised to a unanimous decision victory. White was so furious with Silva’s antics that he gave the title to Silva’s manager to put around his waist. White made it clear that Silva did not deserve to fight GSP and pretty much nixed whatever plans they had.
In 2013, rumors began to swirl that Silva-GSP could become a reality if both successfully retained their titles. However, those plans did not end up coming to fruition. St-Pierre took a break from MMA after retaining against Johny Hendricks, while Silva lost his title to Chris Weidman.
'The Spider' eventually sustained a devastating leg injury and was not the same dominant fighter as he got older. Silva vs. St-Pierre remains a fantasy fight and arguably the UFC’s biggest missed opportunity.
