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2021 has been an eventful year so far for MMA fans. A number of events have taken place in combat sports that have the potential to change the course of the sport.
Francis Ngannou, once a poor migrant from Africa, dethroned one of the greatest MMA fighters to become the UFC heavyweight champion. 'Notorious' Conor McGregor was knocked out for the first time in his career. One of two YouTuber brothers took on a 50-0 boxing legend for eight rounds; one of them KO'd an Olympian wrestler, while the other a former MMA fighter.
What is more interesting is that all of that have happened in the first half of 2021. While we do not know what the rest of the year holds for us, but we can certainly hope for how we would want it to go, especially in MMA. On that note, let's have a look at five things MMA fans would like to see in the second half of 2021:
#5 Tyron Woodley knocks out Jake Paul
Like it or not, the Paul brothers have worked their way into combat sports. The YouTubers relied on the internet and trolling to market themselves and promote their boxing bouts. What first started as a non-professional fight between fellow YouTubers has now engulfed even MMA and boxing veterans in the mix.
Jake Paul took on former UFC fighter and an Olympic wrestler, Ben Askren, in a pro boxing event on 17 April 2021. Although begrudgingly, many MMA fans had their hopes on Askren. He was considered the flag-bearer of the MMA community going up against a relatively inexperienced boxer. But 'Funky' was knocked out inside two minutes of round one, so MMA fans would now want some 'revenge'.
As the Triller fight was going on, another boxing event was brewing in the background. Ahead of that fight, there was a constant verbal exchange in the dressing room between Tyron Woodley, who was cut from the UFC in 2021, and Jake Paul.
The former UFC welterweight champion wanted some action and is now set to face Jake Paul in August 2021. The Paul brothers have drawn flak from the MMA community for trolling MMA veterans like Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor. Even UFC president Dana White has slammed the YouTuber brothers for luring in MMA fighters.
Nevertheless, Jake Paul has gone 3-0 in his boxing career by knocking out all of his opponents - AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson and Ben Askren. However, Tyron Woodley is by far the best striker Jake Paul will face.
It's high time someone knocked out at least one of the Paul brothers. For MMA fans, the best bet seems like Tyron 'The Chosen One' Woodley.
#4 Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou
Jon Jones is one of the greatest and most crafty fighters not just in the UFC but in MMA. The no.1 UFC pound-for-pound fighter and former two-time light heavyweight champion holds several records to his name. 'Bones' is also unbeaten in his entire career, and the only blip in his MMA record (26-1-1) came as a result of disqualification.
After reigning in the UFC light heavyweight division for a record 1501 days and having a dispute regarding pay, Jon Jones vacated his title in 2020. He expressed his wish to move up to the heavyweight division and conquer gold there. 'Bones' has been training ever since to become a heavyweight and has even gone from 205 lbs to 250 lbs.
Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou defeated Stipe Miocic in their rematch at UFC 260 to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. He is being touted as the deadliest heavyweight ever, who has the strongest punch in the history of combat sports.
A match-up between 'The Predator' and Jon Jones is something MMA fans have been drooling over for some time now.
However, the match-up is far from materializing, with UFC president Dana White not willing to budge despite Jon Jones' repeated demands for higher pay. If Jon Jones makes his heavyweight debut against Francis Ngannou, it will be delightful for MMA fans.
#3 Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington 2
Kamaru Usman defended his welterweight title against Colby Covington at UFC 245. Both fighters are known to be aggressive and have high cardio, but 'Chaos' said he would to knock out Usman 'unconscious'.
All the bad blood between the two fighters led to a heavy striking clinic at UFC 245. Kamaru Usman not only knocked out Colby Covington but also broke his jaw in round three.
Colby Covington has not thrown in the towel yet, though. He has been campaigning for a rematch since then and has even put his foot on the gas and insulted the UFC welterweight champion.
The year 2021 has been an eventful one for MMA fans, to say the least. However, it would be much better if Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington 2 takes place in the second half of the calendar, just as Dana White has hinted.
#2 Nick Diaz makes his UFC comeback
Nick Diaz is one of the baddest and most loved MMA fighters ever. Ever since the start of his MMA career, he has been surrounded by controversies, legal issues, and disputes with the UFC. Nevertheless, he enjoys one of the biggest fan following in the sport to date.
Nick Diaz is a former welterweight champion at Strikeforce, WEC and IFC and is also known for his time in the UFC. In 2015, Diaz faced former UFC champion and MMA legend Anderson Silva in the second-highest pay-per-view selling fight of his career.
He lost the fight via decision and later tested positive for marijuana. As a result, Nick Diaz was slapped with a $165,000 fine and a five-year suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Nick Diaz made a big appearance at UFC 261 in April 2021, leading to massive speculation of the MMA legend's return. UFC president Dana White was bombarded with questions about Nick Diaz's return to the fight scene at the post-fight conference. He said:
"Nick wants to fight. We’ll see how this goes. He’s waiting for me in the back right now. I’m going to go talk to him."
Also Read: "Built to last" - Nick Diaz looks ripped ahead of rumoured UFC comeback.
Dana White later expressed doubts over Nick Diaz's return to the UFC, saying the MMA legend didn't sound completely willing to re-enter the octagon. While it is still uncertain whether the Stockton native will make a UFC comeback, MMA fans are hoping to see him fight in 2021.
#1 Dustin Poirier wins the trilogy fight against Conor McGregor
Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have created one of the most exciting rivalries in the history of the UFC.
The first face-off between the two took place in 2014, with the 'Notorious' getting on Poirier's nerves with his mental warfare. 'The Diamond' admitted ahead of UFC 178 that he had developed ill feelings for McGregor.
At UFC 178, Conor McGregor knocked out Dustin Poirier inside two minutes of round one. While the Irishman went on to become the UFC's first double champion, going 6-2 in the next six years, 'The Diamond' worked hard and went 10-2-1 in the same period.
Their paths finally crossed once again in 2021 at UFC 257, and it seemed as if Dustin Poirier had been waiting for that moment all the while.
At UFC 257, Dustin Poirier dominated Conor McGregor from the get-go before finally knocking him out in round two. He didn't just avenge his loss from 2014 but also handed the former 'champ-champ' the first KO loss of his MMA career. While the result was considered sort of an upset, it reinforced MMA fans' belief in karma.
Poirier and McGregor are now set to complete their trilogy at UFC 264, and MMA circles all over the world are split between who would win. While many betting platforms are predicting a close finish, some are marking Dustin Poirier as the favorite. 'The Diamond' has been more active in recent years ,and that is being considered a factor that could play in his favor at UFC 264.
Poirier is also considered a good human being who has always carried himself professionally. He also helps society through his Good Fight Foundation.
On the other hand, Conor McGregor has always attracted the spotlight for disrespecting fellow MMA fighters and being a rebel. If Poirier wins the trilogy against McGregor, it will make for a perfect 'good vs evil' story with a happy ending.
Also Read: 5 most hard-hitting predictions for the Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier trilogy fight at UFC 264.
