We saw quite a few big UFC moments in 2018, big wins, upsets, and champions being toppled as well as fighter trades, controversy, and dolly’s being thrown through bus windows. But as we’re heading deeper into 2019 Fight Quality is starting to think of the fight’s that we want to see happen before the end of the year.
Here’s our list of the five fights we want to see in 2019:
Rockhold vs Jones
Even with the return of Jon Jones (with or without the picograms) the light heavyweight division is a little light on exciting fights; talent wise you’ve got DC and Jones at the top, Gustafsson a step below them and then everyone else. What we need to see a new face to mix up the division and test the top guys, and Luke Rockhold has always said he’d move up once DC retires. DC looks set to stay at heavyweight until he retires, so we want Rockhold to move up and challenge Jones for the belt.
Askren vs Khabib
We know wrestling isn’t for everyone, but Khabib is the the king of wrestling in the UFC, and Askren has come over from One Championship, supposedly not been hit in like, years, and is looking to take on basically anyone. Askren vs Khabib (once the UFC opens 165 as a division) would be a showcase of wrestling at the highest level, and if Ben wins it would show that One Championship can raise some major talent in its ranks.
Aspen Ladd vs Raquel Pennington
Aspen Ladd is definitely one to watch in the Bantamweight Division having gone undefeated in her first seven pro fights. Raquel Pennington is an established name in the bantamweight division, ranked in the top five and needs a big win after her two recent losses. Aspen Ladd can put her undefeated record on the line, and position herself for a shot at the title.
Stylebender vs Till
Israel Adesanya is a rising phenom, about to take on Anderson Silva and position himself for a shot at Whittaker (with his rising popularity expect at least one title shot from Stylebender this year). Darren Till is the British gorilla whose mentioned moving up to 185 numerous times. While we don’t want to see prospects put against each other all the time, Till and Stylebender would be a striking showcase everyone could get behind.
Cowboy Cerrone vs Conor McGregor
This is the big one for us, there’s been rumours going back and forth on twitter and Instagram, wth Conor tweeting about it after Cowboys fight this weekend, and Cowboy being down to fight anyone. It makes sense for Conor because it’s a money fight between two fan favourites, and it makes sense for Cerrone because he’s chasing a title shot and Conor is ranked number 2 at 155. Will McGregor get in his head, or can Cowboy fulfil an old promise to knock the lucky charms out of Conor’s ass?
Have we missed any dream matchups out? What fights do you want to see in 2019?