HW Stipe Miocic (c) vs Cain Velasquez
Stipe has about as much appeal as hemorrhoids and Cain is clearly made of balsa wood. However, fit, healthy and in the zone these two monsters are head and shoulders above anyone else in the HW division right now. Now I am sure there are a lot of Ngannou fan boys out there who believe he is the next in line. SLOW DOWN....Let him have a couple more fights, let him beat the stuffing out of a Derrick Lewis and or Travis Browne and then let him fight for the title.
LHW Daniel Cormier vs Alexander Gustafsson 2
Their first encounter was an underrated war. Cormier was taken to places he never knew existed and since this fiasco with Jon Jones is coming to a chemically induced end a second fight between the pair seems the most logical. Gustafsson looked tremendous against Glover and Cormier has been cheated mentally, emotionally and physically by that talented parasite known as "Bones". Another option would be to throw Volkan Oezdemir in the mix. The guy has semtex for knuckles but after everything Cormier and Gustafsson have been through it seems only right and proper they get the opportunity to fight for the belt.
MW Michael Bisping (c) vs Robert Whittaker (ic)
The most intriguing and talented division in the UFC has been invaded by a retired 170lber who hasn't fought in 4 years. Let's remind ourselves of the last fight GSP had in the octagon, a beat down by Johnny Hendricks (yuck). Even though he came away with a ridiculous split decision victory GSP seems to remain a darling to UFC fans and more importantly to Dana White. Now, I am aware of Whittaker's injury but look at the array of talent that is behind him in the rankings.
2 Yoel Romero
3 Luke Rockhold
4 Jacare Souza
5 Chris Weidman
6 Anderson Silva
7 Derek Brunson
8 Kelvin Gastelum
9 David Branch
10 Krzysztof Jotko
To think that GSP is allowed to jump the queue in front of these guys is sickening and I hope Bisping runs through him like Roy Nelson goes through maple syrup and sends GSP back to Canada with is head down wearing nothing but his gymnastics spandex.
WW Tyron Woodley (c) vs Jorge Masvidal
This division is as weak as Brock Lesnar's intestines. Woodley vs Maia was a horror show. However, do not blame the champ. He did exactly what he needed to do against a BJJ killer. At least Jorge will stand up and fight and I honestly think this would be a fight of the night contender. The welterweight scene is so weak that Rafael Dos Anjos who is ranked #10 was referred to as a genuine contender after he beat journeyman Neil Magny (who is ranked #6)-Jeez.
LW Conor McGregor (c) vs Nate Diaz 3
The first fight was tremendous fun. Watching Nate drink shots a week before the fight and then choke out the irishman with blood dripping from his out of shape body will stay with fans forever. The 2nd fight was a peach. A back and forth war which saw Conor adopt leg kicks and Nate show just how tough a motherbleeper he is after being dropped numerous times. If Conor cannot put away his opponents he seems to struggle mentally and cardiovascularly (I think that is a word). At 155lbs I would expect Conor to make this fight look easier than he did in the second scrap. However, it would still be a lot of fun and just for taking the first fight on a weeks notice I would like to see Nate get another payday...So he can go out and buy some more "cool shit".
FW Max Holloway (c) vs Frankie Edgar
A division that now seems to be in decline. Max beat the snot out of Aldo and with no other real contenders to face I see no other opponent for Holloway other than Frankie. BORIIINGGGGG.
BW Cody Garbrandt (c) vs T.J. Dillashaw
Fighting at UFC 217 this fight has the makings of an instant classic. The performance we saw against Cruz from Cody was exceptional. I mean I haven't seen a performance like that from a contender since errrr oh yea T.J. dismantling Barao. The fight has extra flavor due to the Team Alpha Male vs Duane Ludwig he left me I now hate him soap opera blah blah that will help promote the fight. The UFC may have thought they found another Conor with Cody but no sorry. Don't get me wrong he has lovely eyebrows and a sinister neck tattoo but he's as bland as Jon Anik's commentary. A star in the cage, a soup spoon outside it.
FLW Demetrious Johnson (c) vs I do not care.
This division needs to go. I honestly believe the lack of talent is making Mighty Mouse look better than he actually he is. #1 on the p4p list for a long time, yet he has been defeated by Dominic Cruz. Also, making that decision not to fight T.J shows to me how comfortable he is. It's a redundant division that is on life support. Time to pull the plug. Add 10 more pounds to your body DJ and go challenge yourself.
pictures courtesy of https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8ENCK_P3a9M/maxresdefault, http://img.bleacherreport.net, http://www.bjpenn.com, http://video.ufc.tv, https://img.rasset.ie
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This is an outstanding article full of witty MMA humor and interesting match ideas. Great work on this one!