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The UFC is without a doubt one of the very best combat sports organizations in the world today. The Mixed Martial Arts promotion has been on a roll over the past few years and has been the most important organization responsible for promoting the sport of MMA from niche status to the mainstream popular culture.
However, with that being said, as of late, the UFC has faced several issues with regard to multiple top PPV stars failing drug tests, falling victim to the injury bug, or simply parting ways with the sport of MMA altogether.
That, in turn, has resulted in the UFC putting forth several 'money fights' which may appease the casual fans to a certain extent, but often ends up drawing the ire of the hardcore MMA fan-base.
Honestly speaking, the UFC has a ton of highly-appealing top-notch matchups that are yet to come to fruition. Moreover, in 2019, there is indeed a decent probability that a few of the aforementioned matchups may come to fruition.
Today, we take a look at a few UFC fights that would be considered the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)...
#5 Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson
This fight would most definitely be one of the greatest fights of all time. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson had been scheduled to fight one another on multiple occasions over the years. However, injuries, botched weight cuts as well as several other factors led to the scheduled matchups being cancelled time and again.
Now that Nurmagomedov has beaten arch-rival Conor McGregor decisively, the only true contender currently at Lightweight is Tony Ferguson. 'El Cucuy' could very well end up challenging for 'The Eagle's' UFC Lightweight Championship later this year.
It's pretty evident that Ferguson has a significant edge in the striking realm, however, Nurmagomedov would surely dominate the wrestling department of the fight. Furthermore, Ferguson's elite BJJ skills may finally be the difference-maker when these two MMA titans finally collide inside the Octagon -- with Ferguson likely coming out the winner, in a grueling battle of wills...
#4 Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar
Out of all the fights mentioned in this list of ours, this one is perhaps the unlikeliest. The probability of Fedor Emelianenko signing with the UFC this year seems quite low. However, as the old adage goes: Never say never.
This is, after all, the fight game, and one can expect the unexpected in the dominion of combat sports. Emelianenko is currently set to face Ryan Bader to determine the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix winner and consequently the new Bellator Heavyweight Champion.
However, although 'The Last Emperor' is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time, the man has a considerable amount of mileage on his body, owing to which most experts predict that he'd likely lose to the younger, fresher fighter -- Bader.
Nevertheless, should Emelianenko sign with the UFC, you'd better believe that Dana White and co. will finally give the fans the fantasy matchup of the Russian legend facing pro-wrestling megastar and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.
Although both fighters may not be in their athletic primes anymore, a clash between Emelianenko's Sambo and Lesnar's wrestling would surely produce a high-level chess match when they do battle under the UFC banner.
In their respective primes, Emelianenko would've been a huge favorite to win his bout, however, right now, you'd probably have to pick Lesnar to take his smaller foe down and ground-and-pound him into oblivion...
#3 Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm
Alright, this may be somewhat of a controversial opinion, but bear with me regardless. Amanda Nunes presently holds both the UFC Women's Bantamweight as well as Featherweight Titles. She shocked the world by becoming the first woman to knock out Cris Cyborg in professional MMA competition.
Nunes is now without a doubt the most feared female MMA fighter on the planet. However, she is not invincible. The perfect foil for Nunes would be someone who can match her boxing skills, size and speed -- Enter, 'The Preacher's Daughter' Holly Holm.
Holm previously held the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship, and became the first fighter to go the 5-round distance with Cyborg in a pro MMA bout. If Nunes makes the mistake of engaging in a slug-fest with Holm, like the former did against Cyborg; Nunes would end up getting countered all night long.
Moreover, Holm has competed both as a Bantamweight and Featherweight, so size wouldn't really be a factor in this matchup. Holm truly possesses all the tools required to hunt down 'The Lioness', and her challenging Nunes either at 135 or 145 pounds (or both!) is indeed a very real possibility this year. The fight will be excellent, and cannot come soon enough! Speaking of which...
#2 Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones 3
Well, Jon Jones has failed multiple drug tests over the course of his long and storied career. However, the man has somehow managed to regain the UFC Light-Heavyweight Title, beating Alexander Gustafsson by way of TKO at UFC 232.
Jones called out arch rival Daniel Cormier after the victory, however, in the days that have followed, Jones has asserted that he won't fight Cormier at Heavyweight. Instead, Jones wants their trilogy fight to take place at Light-Heavyweight just like their first pair of fights did.
Cormier would be putting himself at a disadvantage by cutting all that weight and going to 205 pounds once again, however, even if they fight at Heavyweight, Jones is indeed a bad stylistic matchup for DC. Their third fight will probably end up being competitive again, up until the point Jones' huge reach advantage catches up with Cormier -- whereupon, Jones will target DC with a fight-ending elbow or kick to once again secure the stoppage victory.
The build-up to their fight will surely be entertaining, and the fight itself shall once again leave the MMA community in awe of these combatants' martial arts brilliance...
#1 Robert Whittaker vs. Tyron Woodley
Tyron Woodley presently holds the UFC Welterweight Title, whereas Robert Whittaker is the promotion's reigning Middleweight Champion. Woodley is likely to face top contenders Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington this year; whereas Whittaker is scheduled to face top-185 pound contender Kelvin Gastelum.
Nevertheless, a potential fight between Woodley and Whittaker would be absolutely fantastic. Both fighters possess excellent one-punch KO power, and while Woodley may have a slight edge in the grappling department, Whittaker's volume of striking is considerably better than that of the former.
Should these two MMA titans ever square off inside the Octagon, it'll probably play out with Whittaker stalking Woodley along the fence, and the latter looking to catch his foe with a thunderous counter right hand. Whittaker has an excellent chin, and Woodley does have the tendency to freeze up when being tagged with a high volume of strikes.
The fight will probably end with Whittaker edging his opponent in a close decision, but one thing's for sure - Woodley vs. Whittaker would be one of the most entertaining battles of all time.
Which UFC fights do you think would be GOAT? Sound off in the comments!
