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The UFC is presently without a doubt the world's premier MMA organization. Recently having undergone a highly-publicized change of ownership--with media giants WME-IMG now steering the wheel of the UFC juggernaut--the promotion continues to grow on a global scale.
Perhaps one of the biggest strengths of the UFC, and the sport of MMA in general, is the fact that exciting matchups are booked on a regular basis. In fact, this is something that has been a knock on the combat sports business in general.
Several fight pundits time and again have asserted that one of the most profitable combat sports in the world, pro-boxing, has been stagnated owing to marquee matchups either not being booked at all or being made well after one or both fighters in the equation are past their prime.
Nevertheless, the UFC boasts a humongous roster--replete with some of the best MMA fighters in the world--with most important matchups being made while the respective fighters are indeed relatively well-matched. In fact, as of late, the UFC has witnessed a trend which has several respected fighters move up or down weight-classes, and bring the fans some of the most highly-discussed dream matches to fruition.
Today, we take a look at a few UFC matches that need to happen, sooner rather than later--
#5 Luke Rockhold vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Following his stoppage loss at the hands of Yoel Romero, Luke Rockhold strongly asserted that he plans on moving up to the 205-pound division. Rockhold confirmed that his next Octagon outing would indeed be at Light-Heavyweight.
In fact, the MMA community was set abuzz with speculation that Rockhold could potentially face Alexander Gustafsson for the Interim UFC Light-Heavyweight title--what with reigning Light-Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier being busy preparing for a "money fight" against Brock Lesnar which could take place in early-2019.
Regardless, Rockhold--who has dealt with leg injuries on multiple occasions in the past--re-injured his leg earlier this year. While the Rockhold-Gustafsson matchup has been put on the back-burner for now, the fan-interest in it seems to have acquired steam after both fighters traded shots with one another on social media.
Rockhold being the excellent kicker that he is, and Gustaffson being the more complete kick-boxer of the duo, is what serves to make this clash so very interesting. Experts believe that Gustafsson has the better boxing by a large margin--however, Rockhold's elite grappling skills and the submission threat he poses to any and every man walking the planet, simply cannot be overlooked.
Rockhold vs. Gustafsson is a match that needs to happen sooner rather than later--what with both fighters seemingly in their respective primes as of this time.
#4 Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington
Reigning Undisputed UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is all set to defend his title against dangerous Muay Thai specialist Darren "The Gorilla" Till. Woodley and Till are set to throw down inside the Octagon this September at UFC 228.
Regardless, a rather unique entity in this equation is undoubtedly Interim UFC Welterweight Champion Colby "Chaos" Covington. The man captured the Interim title with a win over former UFC Lightweight kingpin Rafael Dos Anjos.
While Covington was initially set to face Woodley in a title unification bout in the third quarter of 2018, plans changed; since the former needed time so as to recover from a nagging injury. While Covington was still willing to fight later this year, the UFC went on to book Woodley in the aforementioned fight with Till.
Now, irrespective of what happens between Woodley and Till, the former fighting Covington would beyond the shadow of a doubt be a must-see clash. Both T-Wood and Chaos have incredible wrestling and great BJJ.
However, Woodley seems to have a huge edge in the striking realm--having exhibited superior KO power and striking fluidity than Chaos. On the other hand, Covington is said to have the cardio advantage over T-Wood.
Furthermore, the build-up toward a potential Woodley-Covington fight would most definitely be entertaining--what with the bad blood between them unlikely to go away anytime soon.
#3 Holly Holm vs. Amanda Nunes
"The Preacher's Daughter" Holly Holm is perhaps one of the most underappreciated fighters not only in the UFC but in all of Mixed Martial Arts. Holm is best known to most casual observers of the sport, as the woman who slay the dragon--becoming the first MMA fighter to defeat and stop "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
While Holm subsequently suffered a few roadblocks on the way, her losses weren't one-sided by any means. In fact, Holm has shown major improvements since her fights with Rousey and Miesha Tate--with The Preacher's Daughter most recently having thoroughly out-classed the ever-dangerous striker Megan Anderson at Featherweight nonetheless!
Holm is vastly improved in the grappling realm, and can now grapple with the best of them inside the Octagon. Speaking of which reigning UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes who is likely to move up to face current Featherweight titlist Cris Cyborg in a super-fight, has lately been experiencing a dearth of title contenders in the Bantamweight division.
While Holm's last fight was at Featherweight, she's open to competing at both 135 and 145 pounds, which in turn begs the question as to whether she could potentially face Nunes for the title at 135, down the line.
Irrespective of what weight Holm faces Nunes at, as well as whether or not the fight is for a title, the clash of styles in this matchup is indeed praiseworthy. Holm has great boxing, kick-boxing as well as top-tier athleticism on her side.
On the other hand, Nunes seems to have resolved her cardio issues. Besides, she's always possessed otherworldly KO power in her hands.
Holm vs. Nunes is a fight that needs to be made in the months to come--which in turn would ensure that we get to see the best versions of these modern-day gladiators do battle within the confines of the MMA cage.
#2 TJ Dillashaw vs. Henry Cejudo
Yet again, we seem to have chanced upon a pivotal matchup which could come to fruition at either of two weight classes. In this case, current UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw and reigning Flyweight title-holder Henry Cejudo could face one another either at 135 or 125 pounds.
The fight is likely to be announced sooner rather than later--with the duo rumored to do the tango inside the Octagon either later this year or in early-2019.
Dillashaw is a master in the realm of combat-specific movement, as evidenced by his consecutive KO/TKO victories over heavy-handed KO specialist Cody "No Love" Garbrandt. Dillashaw has previously stated that he's open to either defending his Bantamweight title against Cejudo, or move down to Flyweight and fight for the latter's belt.
Dillashaw is considered to be the better striker of the two, while Cejudo may have a slight edge in the wrestling department. The former may have the size advantage, especially if their fight takes place at 135, whereas Cejudo likely has a small margin of extra zing so to speak as regards speed.
It'd be safe to say that the MMA community is indeed very much looking forward to this fantastic clash of titans in the smaller weight classes.
#1 Brian Ortega vs. Jose Aldo
The UFC Featherweight division is at an interesting crossroads right now, with reigning title-holder Max Holloway dealing with what's being noted by many as serious medical issues.
In fact, while Holloway and his team have remained largely secretive about his health issues thus far, the belief is that he's likely to miss out on a considerable amount of time owing to said issues--something that has been confirmed by UFC President Dana White. Regardless, given that the MMA community is now in the age of super-fights, it makes all the sense in the world for the UFC to book an Interim title fight between top contenders Brian Ortega and Jose Aldo.
Ortega was set to face Holloway earlier this year before the latter was forced to pull out of their bout due to medical issues. Now, with former UFC 145-pound kingpin and one of the greatest Featherweights of all time Jose Aldo coming off a thunderous KO win over Jeremy Stephens--the stars seem to have aligned for a bout between Aldo and Ortega.
Aldo possesses great Muay Thai and good BJJ skills. On the other hand, Ortega is hailed as one of the best BJJ practitioners in MMA today--Besides, the latter also possesses great boxing fundamentals.
Aldo vs. Ortega is a fight which is likely to be one for the ages, and with Holloway's future uncertain, this is the matchup to make for gold at 145 pounds.
Which fights do you think are most likely to come to fruition in the UFC? Sound off in the comments!
