5 UFC Fights Everyone Still Wants to See

The UFC isn’t quite what it was a couple of years ago. That isn’t to say it’s boring or lacking star talent, but it clearly isn’t at the height it was when Ronda Rousey was undefeated and Conor McGregor was first flapping his lips.

It’s regressed a bit since, as Rousey was horribly exposed in two straight crushing defeats and The Notorious – as amazing as he’s been – took a boxing hiatus that has now lasted over a year.

The wind has been taken out of its sail to a certain degree when it comes to overall talent, promotion and betting upside. Even if you find legit UFC betting sites you can trust, it’s still rare to locate that fight that’s impossible to ignore.

There have certainly been some big bouts, while impressive talents like Max Holloway (12 straight wins), Yoel Romero and Tony Ferguson have all given us something to cheer for.

On top of that, Stipe Miocic successfully defended his title, GSP came out of retirement and got a win and Cyborg Justino finally entered the bright lights of the UFC.

Still, it’s hard to not want more from a MMA league that once rarely – if ever – left us disappointed.

It’s arguable the UFC has earned the right to have a lull or two and it’s also worth pointing out that things are trending in the right direction. However, for the sake of a better year in 2018, Dana White and co. could up the ante by getting fans five awesome fights they deserve (and probably want):

Cyborg vs. Rousey

Sure, Rousey is probably past her best and thinking more about the WWE or Hollywood than redeeming herself in MMA circles, but think of the payday.

Beyond the cash flow, Rousey could snap back to being a respected fighter if she can take out Justino, who recently beat Holly Holm and is arguably much more vicious than Amanda Nunes.

In one big fight, Rousey could get paid, go out on top, exact some revenge on a rival and prove she could have won rematches with Holm and Nunes without ever touching the canvas again.

On the other side, Cyborg gets a stiff test as she continues to work her way up the UFC ladder. Either Rousey returns in triumph and gives the UFC an amazing story, or Cyborg demolishes her and gives MMA quite possibly the best female champion the world has to offer.

Demetrious Johnson vs. Cody Garbrandt

Maybe the luster is gone from the previously undefeated No Love, but Garbrandt still owns just one loss on his resume and has otherwise wrecked the UFC in a short amount of time.

This fight would allow for him to prove once again just how good he is, while also vault him to another title shot, wherever exactly that would be.

On the other side is Johnson, who somehow doesn’t carry the star power that a litany of inferior fighters do. Mighty Mouse hasn’t lost a match since 2012 and nobody’s ever stopped him in a professional setting.

For some reason he’s still waiting for his public coming out party where the world can finally vault him to Conor McGregor status. Perhaps this fight can do two things at once; drop the cocky Garbrandt down a peg or two while raising Johnson up to where he belongs.

Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov

There are certainly other fights you could slide in here and debate. ‘Notorious’ vs. Nate Diaz 3 is an option, while many wouldn’t mind seeing McGregor go up against Max Holloway again, take on Tony Ferguson, battle Frankie Edgar or deliver a McGregor vs. Jose Aldo 2 bout.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, too. McGregor is brash enough to consider stepping up to welterweight, where Tyron Woodley and further history await.

I’m not sure we’ll ever see that, but what is certainly in the cards is some type of title match featuring The Notorious and the undefeated Khabib.

Nurmagomedov added another win to his unblemished record in December and is seeking a high profile bout. If the UFC can arrange it to go against McGregor, it could incite a new rivalry and potentially lift either fighter to new heights.

Yoel Romero vs. GSP

I’m personally not that enamored with this exact matchup, but if nothing else, this is about both of these guys getting back into the Octagon.

It could make sense that they do so against each other, as Romero has looked like an unstoppable force and Georges St. Pierre remains a massive MMA star.

Odds are Romero destroys the aging GSP in this hypothetical bout, but this would still be a headlining act. And hey, after taking down Michael Bisping, everyone will be interested to see if the veteran fighter has any gas left in the tank. Facing the explosive Romero sure would test that.

Stipe Miocic vs. Cain Velasquez

I personally wouldn’t mind seeing Brock Lesnar again, but he’s past his prime and has had problems with doping. He’s not a serious threat to either of these guys anymore, anyways, so instead of wasting time, the UFC should just toss these two dogs into the Octagon and see who survives.

Miocic certainly should defend his heavyweight title belt in the near future, as he was asked to take just one title defense bout in 2017 and he’s not really being challenged.

That isn’t to say his path to the top has been easy. It’s been anything but, as Miocic has ripped off insanely impressive wins against heavy-hitters like Mark Hunt, Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem.

Miocic’s strong 5-fight winning streak includes a recent title defense against Junior dos Santos, who had previously handed him one of two career defeats.

Miocic is on top of the world, but he needs to put his belt on the line and someone other than dos Santos deserves a shot. I think that should be Velasquez, who owns an elite 14-2 MMA record and is one of the toughest, most vicious heavyweights on the circuit.

Velasquez has always had the talent to be a dominant champion, but injuries and opportunity have held him back. He can still get back there, however, and simply needs UFC to book this massive bout to make it happen.