I am doing my second instalment of these, following the one I did last October.
I am hoping to do better this time, as from the 10 fights on my list last year, only two materialised, with one happening in the next few months.
The good thing about the UFC is that most of the champions have fights coming up, so the wants and needs are not as vociferous as it is in boxing.
But as always, there are still some fights that I am hoping to see.
1. Sean O’Malley vs Marlon Vera 2
After O’Malley’s explosive one-punch, second round knockout to claim the bantamweight title this August. Many were split on whether Aljamain Sterling should get an immediate rematch.
However, for what he had done in the division over the past few years, Sterling deserves a rematch. But an O’Malley vs Vera rematch is arguably a better prospect.
Vera handed O’Malley his only defeat in August 2020, with vicious leg kicks that injured and stopped Sean. Now the champion, O’Malley will want to avenge that loss to show it was a fluke.
With just one split decision loss in his last six fights, Vera would see this as a perfect opportunity to fight for a title against an opponent he has already beaten.
Verdict: O’Malley wins via 4th round tko
2. Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko 3
I am not sure Grasso will relish seeing Shevchenko for a third time.
It was impossible enough to come away from two fights undefeated, so a third might be a tall order.
However, after she snatched the title from Shevchenko in their first fight with a fourth-round submission victory, and their rematch ended in a controversial and anti-climatic draw, the fans may demand a third.
But Grasso may claim Shevchenko has had two bites at the cherry, and now it’s time for another challenger.
But knowing the UFC how I do, after being a dominant flyweight champion for over four years, they may hand Shevchenko that one last carrot of a third fight.
Verdict: Shevchenko wins via unanimous points decision
3. Sean Strickland vs Dricus du Plessis
Many were split on whether Adesanya should get a rematch, after losing the middleweight title in a surprisingly comfortable loss to Strickland.
However, Israel stated he will be taking some time off after his relentless title fight schedule over the past few years. This leaves the door open for a new contender.
So, who better than the South African du Plessis? Who will be kicking himself after injury forced him out of the title fight, which gave Strickland the opportunity.
Both are confident, rugged, all-action strikers whose mouths can talk them into much trouble, but their fists can get them out. Add the UFC title to the mix, and it could be an explosive and unpredictable encounter in and out of the octagon.
Verdict: Strickland wins via 3rd round tko
4. Zhang Weili vs Yan Xiaonan
I am not hoping this fight will happen; I am expecting it to.
Zhang, in her second run as the strawweight champion, is looking better than ever. After winning the title and defending it in a fairly routine fashion, she needs a big challenge.
Enter her compatriot Xiaonan, who has only lost two of her ten fights in the UFC, and her last two victories came over prospects Mackenzie Dern and Jessica Andrade.
Even her last defeat, a split decision vs Maria Rodriguez was controversial. You can only imagine the numbers a title fight between these two Chinese stars would do in China.
Being they are both Chinese, the intrigue of the build-up would be unprecedented, making this fight even more intense and intriguing.
Verdict: Zhang wins via 3rd round stoppage
5. Cory Sandhagen vs Merab Dvalishvili
With O’Malley beating Sterling for the bantamweight title, it opens up big opportunities in the division.
Especially for Dvalishvili, who is close friends with Sterling, and much to Dana White’s annoyance, publicly stated he would not fight his friend Sterling.
We do not know how much that has affected his championship chances, but he should be in line for a title fight with a nine-fight winning streak, beating a who’s who in the division.
After losing to Yan, Sandhagen is on a three-fight winning streak with wins over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera & Rob Font, which could deserve a title shot. So what better than a title eliminator to clear things up in the division?
Verdict: Dvalishvili wins via 3rd round stoppage
6. Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot
These two would have been the most upset at the Grasso vs Shevchenko rematch ending in a draw.
Both feel they are next in line for a flyweight title fight.
Blanchfield has really impressed since she moved up to the UFC, with a six-fight winning streak and wins over Molly McCann, Jessica Andrade & Talia Santos.
Fiorot has gone under the radar but is also undefeated in the UFC, with a six-fight winning streak beating Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Chookagian and Rose Namajunas.
It would be difficult and unfair for the UFC to pick one over the other for a title fight, and with the Grasso & Shevchenko draw verdict. This fight makes sense on all levels.
Verdict: Blanchfield wins vis 3rd round submission
7. Ciryl Gane vs Sergei Pavlovich
With Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic fighting for the UFC heavyweight title in November, a new No1 contender will be required.
Former interim champion Gane will surely want another crack at the title after his disappointing first-round loss to Jones.
However, Pavlovich is the new beast on the block with a six-fight winning streak, beating the likes of Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes.
Being the number one and two contenders, it’s inevitable they should battle it out in a true heavyweight clash for the right to fight for the title.
Verdict: Pavlovich wins via 2nd round tko
8. Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
Now that the UFC has cut ties with USADA (dodgy), it seems nothing is standing in the way of a McGregor return, or should I say, no more excuses left.
There is no doubt, despite being out of the Octagon for four years, Conor still generates much attention and money for the UFC, and they are desperate for at least one last big payday.
Being opposing coaches in a decent Ultimate Fighter season 31, we were expecting to have already seen this fight, as it is TUF tradition, but we are still waiting.
Judging by the tension between the two during TUF season, their fight history and capabilities, it’s a fight that just has to happen.
Verdict: Chandler wins via unanimous points
9. Julianna Pena vs Raquel Pennington
The bantamweight division needs a new queen after the retirement of the greatest ever MMA female fighter, Amanda Nunes. So, this fight has an air of inevitability.
Although Pena convincingly lost the rematch with Nunes, she can hold her head high, after stopping Nunes in the second round to win the title.
Pennington is one of the most experienced female fighters in the UFC and is currently on a six-fight winning streak across both featherweight and bantamweight.
These women are number 1 & 2 in the UFC rankings, so all that’s left is a title fight date.
Verdict: Pennington wins via unanimous points
10. Max Holloway vs Ilia Topuria
I always put what I call a “fantasy match-up” in my lists. This fight would be in that bracket. Not that it’s out of the question.
With Volkanovski tied up trying to be a two-weight champion and Holloway, having been thwarted by him three times (harshly in my book), options have been limited.
In the meantime, Holloway has proceeded to dismantle all budding contenders. But one contender seems to have emerged in and out of the octagon.
Topuria was on my last list as a no-brainer to fight Paddy Pimblett after their public bust up. Since, they have both gone in different directions. Topuria is undefeated in his career and 6-0 in the UFC. Who better than the blessed one to test his title credentials?
Verdict: Holloway wins via unanimous points
HONOURABLE MENITONS
Justin Gaethje vs Beneil Dariush
Carla Esparza vs Tatiana Suarez 2
Alexander Volkov vs Tom Aspinall
Ian Garry vs Jack Della Maddalena
Taila Santos vs Virna Jandiroba
