I have done several of these for boxing, so naturally, it was time I did a UFC one, especially seeing as I follow the UFC so intently.
The good thing about this compared to boxing is admittedly, a few of these fights are expected, due to the UFC being one company, and does not have the same promotional issues boxing has. Nevertheless, it’s still all a matter of opinion and hope.
1. Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards 3
Naturally, this will be one of the most highly anticipated rubber matches in the UFC. Mainly for how the second fight went with the dramatic finish.
As Edwards is the champ, knowing how the UFC work, I am sure they are looking at the possibility of a mega-fight in London or even Edwards’ home time of Birmingham.
Usman, having dominated the fight until literally the very end, will be itching to get back in there and right that wrong. Edwards, will want to cement his position as the rightful champ, having taken so long and worked so hard to get his shot.
He will want to prove his win was no fluke, a one-off, or just a lucky shot. With both having something to prove, this third fight could be a real epic.
2. Francis Ngannou vs Ciryl Gane 2
Although, in their first fight, Ngannou seemed to be carrying injuries, he still cruised to a comfortable victory, but has not fought since. Gane has earned his right for a rematch with two impressive wins over the next-best heavyweights in the division.
Even though there are ongoing rumours that Ngannou may be pursuing other mega, crossover fights.
I still feel they have unfinished business, and as the champ, it must be coming up to the time he has to defend that title. Also, nobody has done enough, or more than Ciryl Gane to be the next challenger or no1 contender for that title.
I believe both fighters want to improve on their last first together, and both stated that was not the real them. So, a huge, in every sense of the word, rematch must be on the cards in 2023.
3. Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Peña 3
Many may not see the point of this trilogy and probably, even more, will see the outcome as a forgone conclusion, but the series is 1-1, and Pena has done more against Nunes than all her previous competitors.
Credited, the likes of de Randamie and Shevchenko pushed her all the way in their fights.
But Pena, although was dropped several times and soundly beaten in their second fight, did not get stopped by Nunes.
However, she stopped Amanda, and though many will say their second fight showed Nunes took Pena lightly, and a third fight will be more like their second, rather than the first fight. The fact remains the series is tied, so because of that alone, Pena deserves a rubber match to close the series.
4. Kamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington
The welterweight division has always been a hotbed of talent, and currently, it is one of the hottest in the company.
With presumably Usman and Edwards tied up, the next issue to hash out is the no1 contender.
Chimaev has no doubt made a claim to that in the past 12 months. However, apart from Edwards of course, the only other man to give Usman any trouble is Covington, so the logical thing to do is to set up a title eliminator between these two fiery characters.
The build-up alone has the potential to be as good as the fight. It would be an intriguing match on the feet and the ground.
Both like to dominate, in and outside the octagon. Both are unpredictable, polarising characters who can split opinions, so this fight works on all levels for me.
5. Rose Namajunas vs Marina Rodriguez
This is providing Marina get past Amanda Lemos. However, with two wins over Weili Zhang, it seems harsh that Thug Rose did not get an immediate rematch against Carla Esparza, no matter how disappointing her fight was.
However, it’s possible she was offered the fight, we may never know.
Nevertheless, with Esparza and Weili locked in for a fight in the coming weeks, there needs to be a no1 contender. Naturally, with her record, Rose should step into that frame.
However, a better option is to fight for it, and Rodriguez deserves some reward for being on a superb eight-fight winning streak, where she has fought off all other potential no1 contenders, and all that is left is her, Rose and the two fighting for the title.
This is a fight I would love to see from two skilful and explosive strikers, who are better on the ground than they have needed to show in their careers.
6. Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic
Ever since Jones teased a move to heavyweight, I have been excited. That talk has increased in the the past year, with numerous workout videos of Jones bulking up in size and pushing huge weights.
The prospect of one of the all-time greatest UFC fighters of any era, moving to heavyweight is mouth-watering to say the least.
So, who better to welcome him there than the former champ who has the most defences in this era?
We have not seen Miocic since his defeat to current champ Francis Ngannou, and if ever he wanted to get back in the frame, what better than a win against Jones. Styles make fights, and this could be a classic.
Plus, it would be interesting to see how both, with their differing skills, navigate the others, and if either of them can take the others power.
7. Valentina Shevchenko vs Talia Santos 2
Shevchenko has dominated all comers and obliterated the competition in the flyweight division.
She has racked up an impressive 9 fight winning streak, with no woman coming close to dethroning her. However, in stepped Santos, who in my opinion, won their fight.
Although some will argue, as the challenger, you must take the title from the champion and Santos, in the later stages, became tentative and tried to ease her way through the rest of the fight, where Shevchenko really came on strong.
But I still feel Santos won the first three rounds. Nevertheless, Shevchenko got that champion tax win, and to be fair, deserved it for what she has done in the division.
That said, a rematch most definitely should be on the cards for both to right what they feel is a wrong,
8 Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev
While it seems Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira are set for a rematch, for the light heavyweight title.
It is only right that the numbers 3 and 4 guys in the division lock horns. After Jon Jones’ dominance and subsequence departure, followed by Daniel Cormier retiring.
The division has been blown wide open, and there is several contenders and potentially exciting encounters, which will shape its future.
Blachowicz will be kicking himself after claiming the title against Dominic Reyes, then beating Adesanya, only to lose to Teixeira in a very disappointing encounter. That left the door open for the likes of new champ Prochazka and Ankalaev, who is 9-1 in the UFC and 16-1 in his career.
He’s been touted as the next big thing, with an impressive combination of knockout and submission victories. This fight will be an exciting, heavy-hitting, tough to call matchup.
9. Aljamain Sterling vs Marlon Vera.
If you ask me, Yan and O’Malley need to rematch, so that counts both of them out a title shot for now.
Sandhagen lost two of his last three, and although you can make a case for Merab Dvalishvili,
I already felt Vera was next for a title fight. He has been on a tremendous run beating the likes of Dominic Cruz, Frankie Edgar, Rob Font, Davey Grant and Sean O’Malley. His only defeat in his last six was to Jose Aldo via unanimous decision.
After Sterling’s two fights with Yan and the recent Dillashaw win being somewhat unconvincing, (which is no fault of his own) Vera will pose an exciting new challenge to his title.
Style makes fights, which this one could be an intriguing clash of unique styles. Vera has hype behind him and will fancy his chances on the feet.
But Sterling will have the edge on the ground. Either way, for me, Vera deserves the shot, and Sterling needs such a challenge to solidify his champion status
10. Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria
This fight is on the list not for legacy, or big title fight purposes, but for the animosity that is already there.
In the lead-up to both fighting in London, this past March. For some reason, these two found themselves in a brawl at a hotel.
As per usual, both had their own stories of who started it, who said what, who didn’t want it and who was scared. But one thing was for sure, the animosity was real and intense.
Both fighters won their fights impressively in London, So naturally, the best thing to do is put these two welterweights in the octagon to settle their differences.
With the backstory already in place, both fighters seemingly having a nation behind them, it’s a no-brainer in fight that makes sense on all levels, that neither will dare to lose and what could be a show stealer on any card.
