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What an eventful year it has been, eh? New Champions rose to the occasion, big names returned to their old stomping grounds, vehement rivalries spiraled out of control and the UFC presumably soaked in all the benefits.
The monumental 25th year of the biggest MMA promotion in the world ought to have been unlike its predecessors; and so it was, filled with moments to cherish as well as some to forcefully disremember owing to their cringe-worthy nature.
All said and done, the stage is excellently set for the new year to ring in a fresh chapter expectantly packed with appetizing fights and feuds for the fans to gorge on.
If you thought 2018 was fantastic, 2019 is prospectively looking to be a few notches better. For that to happen, though, the UFC has to abide by the desire of the fans. And what do the fans want?
Well, we've put on the matchmaker's hat and compiled a list of fights which are estimable enough to make 2019 a blockbuster ride. These are the fights that the MMA faithful are looking forward to the most...
Honorable Mentions
Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler (Confirmed for UFC 235)
Robbert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum (For the UFC Middleweight title confirmed for UFC 234)
Tatiana Suarez vs. Rose Namajunas (For the UFC Women's Strawweight Title)
Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington (For the Undisputed UFC Welterweight Title)
Kumaru Usman vs. Tyron Woodley (For the Undisputed UFC Welterweight Title)
Paulo Costa vs. Yoel Romero (Battle of the Freakshows)
Dominick Cruz vs. Cody Garbrandt II
Dominick Cruz vs. TJ Dillashaw II
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor II
#5 Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz III
It's a tailor-made trilogy that deserves a fitting finale. The mauling at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov has inarguably deflated the bloated magnetism of Conor McGregor. But, that doesn't give us the liberty to devalue the mainstream appeal of McGregor as the Notorious One remains the biggest draw in MMA history. The McGregor brand is an empire that can take a few more hits if permitted.
His return fight, whoever it is against, is a sure-shot belter in terms of financial returns and promises to offer a predictably entertaining journey leading up to the eventual date inside the Octagon. There are many names that come to mind, but none makes more sense than the Stockton Zombie.
Both have a win apiece and are not tied up to any sort of commitment that could lure them away from the rubber fight. The timing to pull the trigger on the highly profitable encounter couldn't have been any better.
The UFC can club in a matchup with relatively lesser drawing capacity with Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor III and we have ourselves an epic card for the new year.
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#4 Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier III
Moving from one impending trilogy to another, Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier III needs to happen for various reasons. As much as we can't help but admire Jones' prodigious talent, it would be thoroughly satisfying to witness a role-model champion in DC finally getting his retribution against his apparently sociopathic arch-rival.
Jones too has a lot to fight for -- his innocence, legacy, and most importantly, to prove he is the better fighter in one of the most intimate antagonisms in MMA history.
DC would relish the opportunity to end his career with a win against Jones while on the flipside, 'Bones' wouldn't mind extending his spotless record against one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters ever.
The animosity between two of the most accomplished Light Heavyweights of all time itself warrants a conclusive episode in the highly enthralling saga. However, there is a bigger money fight that UFC would love to cash in on, which could involve either Jones or DC...
#3 Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Cormier/Jon Jones
The seeds for both variations of the mega fight have already been planted in the past, however, recent history weighs in favor of DC getting the honors of taking on Brock Lesnar upon his long-awaited comeback.
There are a few complications, though, that need to be addressed. Lesnar is rumored to be tied up with the WWE until WrestleMania, which makes either fight implausible until April.
Disclaimer: There are many ifs here. If Jones faces DC while Lesnar wraps up his obligations with WWE, then the winner of the trilogy gets the former WWE Champion. If the fight doesn't happen, then it has to be Cormier who gets the merited super fight before he rides off into the sunset.
We can't help but feel sorry for Stipe Miocic while analyzing the possible permutations and combinations. The most successful UFC Heavyweight Champion deserves another crack at the Heavyweight strap and at the very least, needs a big fight next. How does Lesnar vs. Miocic sound while DC and Jones get to settle their scores?
The eventualities for 2019 are tantalizing, to say the least!
#2 Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway II
This was the tweet put out by Chael Sonnen after Max Holloway romped to an assertive victory against Brian Ortega at UFC 231:
McGregor may have been made to look incredibly vulnerable by The Eagle but he holds the distinction of being the last man to beat The Blessed One. The UFC Featherweight Champion has since remained unbeaten and is currently on a 13-fight win streak.
Holloway has been affirmative of the fact that he was a baby when he last fought McGregor. Since the aforementioned fight, McGregor has gone onto became one of the richest sportsmen in the world while Holloway has done enough to be included in the Featherweight GOAT conversation.
It's a fight that may seem dangerous on paper for McGregor, but one that could also help him reclaim some of his lost credibility in the MMA fraternity if he does manage to outsmart the inconceivably well-rounded Holloway. A win for Holloway and we could label him the undisputed Feathweight GOAT without any further talk.
We know where you're going - that Holloway will murder the current version of McGregor! Well, this fight is more complicated than you imagine and needs to happen to settle a host of unrefuted debates.
Holloway, though, has mentioned the eagerness to move up and hang with the highly-competitive Lightweight contenders. However, there is a more prevalent story that has been perpetually unfolding itself without a proper payoff in the 155lb division, which leads us to...
#1 Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
There is a reason why the most desirable fight in Lightweight history is deemed to be cursed, as it has been scrapped four times. Four. Freaking. Times! No disrespect to Holloway, but he needs to patiently wait until this fight is done and dusted.
An undefeated champion vs. a naturally gifted yet profoundly eccentric contender. 27-0 vs. the longest win streak in the UFC Lightweight division (11). A seemingly inconquerable monster versus the most presumptive human to break the infrangibility.
El Cucuy vs. The Eagle needs to happen. 5th time is a charm and we refuse to believe otherwise. End of discussion.
Did we miss out any fights you would like to see? Which are the fights you want to see in the coming year? Sound off in the comments section below..
