This will be my third instalment of doing these, and I am confident it will become a yearly tradition.
The top ten are fights I hope to see, so it’s more about my predictions.
From the list in 2022, two fights happened that year with one coming up in 2025. However, from my 2023 list, seven of the ten fights became a reality.
1. Dricus Du Plessis vs Kamzat Chimaev
The middleweight division has had several changes over the past few years, with no one fighter really establishing themselves as the main man.
But for the time being at least, South African De Plessis, is the current man, having defeated Strickland for the title then defending against Adesanya.
However, since Chimaev came to the UFC he has looked destined to be the man at middleweight, but after a blistering start, illness and injuries have set him back.
He returned to the Octagon after a year out to dismantle former title challenger Robert Whittaker with relative ease.
That would have made many sit up and take notice, especially De Plessis, who, despite his last two victories is still looking for legitimacy. This fight ticks all the boxes.
2. Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot
Although Valentina Shevchenko’s recent win over Grasso to claim the flyweight title makes it 1-1-1 with the Mexican fighter.
Although a rubber match makes sense, they must be sick of each other after being opposite coaches in the recent season of TUF and fighting each other in their last three fights.
However, though a rubber match should be inevitable, I would give both one or two fights, then revisit the rubber match.
Therefore, the next challenger for me should be Fiorot. 12-1 in her career. She is on a superb run of 7-0 in the UFC, taking out all the contenders.
Currently, there is no more worthy flyweight, and Fiorot’s size and strength will make her an interesting challenge for Shevchenko’s title.
3. Ian Garry vs Colby Covington
Although Covington has been out of the octagon for almost a year, his name still rings bells with several fighters. One is Ian Garry.
While Covington has been on the sidelines, Garry has built his reputation, with an undefeated 15-0 record and racking up three impressive wins in just 10 months.
I do not know how or why their beef started, but these two welterweights have been engaged in a bitter back-and-forth in interviews and on social media.
If I am honest, they are both unlikable guys, but both are quality fighters who can trash-talk with the best of them.
That is a recipe for excitement, and the UFC should be salivating at the prospect of putting this together, at least for the build-up alone.
4. Zhang Weili vs Tatiana Suarez
I don’t think anyone can question Weili as the dominant force in the strawweight division, having won the belt twice now and defended it a combined three times.
With Rose Namajunas the only woman to defeat her in the UFC, a new, able challenger is needed to stop her from completely dominating.
Well, in steps Tatian Suarez, a TUF champion back in 2016 but has only fought six times since, including a victory over former flyweight champion Alexa Grasso,
However, illness and injuries have been her Achilles heel. Battling cancer previously and a string of fight withdrawals may make this fight a pipe dream.
5. Merab Dvalishvilia vs Umar Nurmagomedov
Although this fight will not be on many lists as a potential all-action, fight-of-the-night candidate, in terms of the title, it’s a huge one.
Both fighters have an elite set of MMA skills and have proved unbreakable in recent years, taking on all comers.
Merab lost his first two fights in the UFC but has been unbeaten since, going 11-0, to take the bantamweight title. Umar is undefeated, with a career record of 18-0 and 6-0 in the UFC.
It’s no secret these two despise each other, so with Umar ranked No. 2 and only Sean O’Malley separating them, this fight is a no-brainer.
6. Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan 2
These two fought back in 2019, Makhachev won on points in a fight of the night battle, and even then, you had a feeling they could meet again in the future.
Since then, Makhachev has reeled off nine wins, which led him to the lightweight title and three defences. However, two of those were against the smaller Volkanovski.
Since then, Tsarukyan has also reeled off nine wins, but with one defeat. His last victory was a split points decision against Charles Oliveira, which was a title eliminator.
However, during his entrance in that fight, Tsarukyan was involved in an altercation with a fan, which has seen him suspended until January 2025.
Providing he does not need a tune-up fight, that is perfect timing to arrange a rematch for Makhachev’s title.
7. Leon Edwards vs Jack Della Maddelena
Welterweight champion Bilal Muhammed is set to defend his title against Shavkat Rakhmovov. So, there needs to be a new contender.
After winning the title dramatically, then defending it and then losing it on points to Bilal, Edwards feels he deserves a rematch.
However, Jake Dell Maddelena is undefeated in his UFC career with a 7-0 record. He has won 17 straight after losing his first two.
With Edwards currently ranked no1 and Maddelena ranked No4, Usman No3 and Rakhmonov No4, all roads should lead to a title fight eliminator.
In Maddelena’s last six fights, he has four performances of the night and one fight of the night bonus. Edwards’s last six reads, Muhammed twice, Usman twice, Nate Diaz and Covington. So, this fight is sure to be a war.
8. Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
This fight was No8 on my list last year and to be honest, I don’t even know why I have brought it back.
Coaching against each other on TUF season 31 last year, this fight was bound to happen following, or so we all thought.
But for one reason or another (ahem McGregor), the fight has not materialised, but it has not stopped the trash talk back and forth.
You felt after UFC cut ties with USADA (dodgy), nothing could stand in the way of a McGregor return.
But with McGregor’s last UFC appearance coming in July 2021, with only one win in his last four fights. It’s high time for Chandler to move on with his career and seek other big fights.
9. Julianna Pena vs Raquel Pennington 2
The first fight was on my 2023 list and only happened a month ago at UFC307, where Pena returned from over two years out to defeat Pennington on points to become the bantamweight champion.
Although Kyla Harrison is waiting in the wings, this fight is only on this list because, while I feel Pena won, it was a close decision, but some felt Pennington did enough to retain her title.
These women have a long history dating back to TUF season 18 in 2013. They were Team Tate and good friends but fell out. Pena then went on to win the season.
Since they exchanged insults for 15 years and with Amanda Nunez retiring, it was the perfect time to make this fight with the No1 & No2 ranked women in the division.
The rematch should be every bit as intense and spicy, with the result of their first fight adding that bit more needle to it.
10. Movsar Evloev vs Diego Lopes 2
After Ilia Topuria stopped Volkanovski for the featherweight title and then became the first man to stop Holloway to defend it, he certainly deserves a short time off.
It’s clear that a new era is at dawn, and with that brings fresh new fighters and fresh new challengers.
Evloev defeated Lopes in May 2023 via points but has since only fought once, an impressive points win over Arnold Allen.
However, since Lopes lost to Evloev, he has fought five times, with three stoppage victories, a short-notice replacement win, and a title eliminator win over Brian Ortega.
That said, after losing to Evloev, it does not seem right for him to go straight into a title fight over the undefeated Evloev. So, logically, a rematch for a title fight is the most logical thing.
Honourable Mentions
Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett
Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison
Cyril Gane vs Alexander Volkov
Alexa Grasso vs Erin Blanchfield
Sean O’Malley vs Deiveson Figueiredo
Virna Jandiroba vs Yan Xiaonan
