2024 is already shaping up as one of the dramatic years in MMA historical past, and it is solely simply midway over. Alex Pereira has saved not one however two main UFC occasions. Max Holloway delivered arguably the best knockout in MMA historical past. Conor McGregor remains to be teasing the most important comeback in MMA historical past, a lot to the frustration of Michael Chandler.
And the 12 months’s second half may be higher than the primary. The McGregor hypothesis will proceed, after all. Jon Jones is predicted to return. Sean O’Malley is doubtlessly taking a look at a profession 12 months, if he beats Merab Dvalishvili. Israel Adesanya is looking for retribution in a grudge match with Dricus Du Plessis. The UFC is headed to the Sphere in Las Vegas, a megaevent primarily based on the venue alone.
There’s loads to sit up for exterior of the UFC, together with the tease of Francis Ngannou‘s PFL debut and Bellator title fights that includes champions Usman Nurmagomedov and Johnny Eblen.
Listed below are 10 fights I would like to see within the subsequent six months.
1. Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway, UFC
In January, this was the No. 11 matchup I most needed to see in 2024. It is now as much as No. 1, primarily based on what Topuria and Holloway did within the first half of the 12 months.
Holloway’s BMF knockout in opposition to Justin Gaethje was an all-time efficiency. What Topuria did to Alexander Volkanovski in February was equally spectacular. There is a rising private rift between these two, which is extraordinarily uncommon for a Holloway battle. Traditionally, it has been unimaginable to attract Holloway into pre-fight trash speak, however Topuria may be the exception. If I can solely watch one battle the remainder of the 12 months, that is it.
2. Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, UFC
The UFC just isn’t going to e-book this battle. UFC CEO Dana White has adamantly maintained that Jones vs. Stipe Miocic shall be subsequent. I am not a fan of that matchup. Miocic is the best heavyweight of all time, however reserving him a championship bout when it has been over 4 years since his final win is foolish. Perhaps if Aspinall knocks out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in essentially the most spectacular style of all time and cuts the best promo the game has ever seen, White would pivot. However most likely not. I am happening with this ship, although. The heavyweight battle to make within the UFC is Jones vs. Aspinall.
3. Tom Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira, UFC
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Alex Pereira sends Jiřà Procházka to the mat with unbelievable head kick
Alex Pereira wastes no time within the second spherical, popping out aggressive and ending with the head-kick knockout at UFC 303.
If the UFC does not make Jones vs. Aspinall, I would prefer to see it make Aspinall vs. Pereira. White has made it clear he isn’t in favor of Pereira going up too shortly, however Pereira has countered that he’s 37 years outdated and desires a 3rd belt, so it must occur sooner somewhat than later. If we’re being sincere, Aspinall needs to be combating Jones. That is the battle for Aspinall. So, if we’re not going to make the battle that makes essentially the most sense, let’s do the subsequent most enjoyable factor — give Pereira an opportunity to make historical past with a 3rd belt by combating Aspinall.
4. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Paulo Costa, UFC
The game may be very down on Chimaev, which is comprehensible. Within the final two years, he badly missed weight in opposition to Nate Diaz, did not look nice in a three-rounder in opposition to Kamaru Usman and pulled out of the most important battle of his profession in opposition to Robert Whittaker.
Costa just isn’t precisely peaking, both. He is misplaced 4 of 5 and was timid in opposition to Sean Strickland. Nonetheless, if these two made it to battle week in opposition to one another, the buildup can be excellent and extremely anticipated. If it occurred, followers would like it regardless of the hundreds of thousands of eye rolls that might happen when the UFC introduced it.
5. Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler 2, UFC
We nonetheless do not know what’s taking place with McGregor, however Chandler appears prepared to maneuver on if the precise alternative comes. This matchup would make a lot sense on so many ranges. Gaethje did the UFC a stable by combating Holloway in April, although he was ready in line for a light-weight title shot. Chandler has finished all the things the UFC has requested to remain the course on a possible McGregor battle, together with filming “The Final Fighter.” Islam Makhachev needs new opponents, ideally with identify worth. The primary battle between Gaethje and Chandler was entertaining. Ebook the rematch and name it a No. 1 contender battle.
6. Kayla Harrison vs. Raquel Pennington or Julianna Peña, UFC
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Kayla Harrison submits Holly Holm in her UFC debut
Kayla Harrison locks in a rear-naked choke on former champ Holly Holm in her UFC debut.
All indicators level to a Pennington versus Peña title bout within the fall, doubtlessly in October. Relying on what occurs there, it might be nice to see the winner flip round shortly and battle Harrison by the tip of the 12 months. If it does not occur this 12 months, it is completely comprehensible. It simply feels prefer it’s a very long time coming to see Harrison in a UFC title battle, and it might be good to see her compete greater than as soon as in 2024, as she solely fought as soon as in 2023 as properly.
7. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire vs. Aaron Pico, Bellator
In some methods, it nonetheless looks like Pico has by no means recaptured the hype he got here into the game with, after going 4-3 in his first seven professional appearances. Since then, nevertheless, he’s 9-1 with seven finishes — with the one loss coming to Jeremy Kennedy when he suffered a shoulder harm within the first spherical.
Pico, 27, is realizing the potential he got here into the game with, and it is enjoyable to observe proper now. Pitbull is without doubt one of the finest featherweights — and arguably among the finest fighters — of the final decade. This may be a passing of the torch second, or Pitbull will present Pico’s not at a championship stage. It is a battle that is worthy of your consideration.
8. Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira, PFL
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Ngannou ‘not finished’ with boxing regardless of crushing loss vs. Joshua
Francis Ngannou reacts to his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Spherical 2.
That is essentially the most anticipated battle that PFL may placed on in the intervening time, and it solely grew to become greater when Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader in 21 seconds in February. There was already a lot intrigue round Ngannou, from how he would possibly reply to a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in boxing to his first MMA look exterior of the UFC. The African champion has endured a private tragedy this 12 months, with the demise of his younger son, Kobe. Ngannou is already one of the inspirational figures the game of blended martial arts has ever seen. If he chooses to come back again and tackle a problem like Ferreira, will probably be unimaginable to not root for him.
9. Dakota Ditcheva vs. Liz Carmouche or Taila Santos, PFL
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Dakota Ditcheva stays undefeated with first-round TKO
Dakota Ditcheva secures a Fast 6 with a dominating first-round TKO in opposition to Lisa Mauldin.
The PFL has one thing in Ditcheva. She is charismatic, genuine, supremely assured and prepared for the highlight, which is large contemplating her fast rise. She’s nonetheless comparatively untested, however the talent set appears to be like very legit. Ditcheva strikes and throws strikes in a manner that jumps off the display. If Ditcheva stays the actual deal, she has true star energy. Subsequent month, Ditcheva faces Jena Bishop within the PFL semifinals, which is an intriguing matchup. Bishop figures to check her on the bottom in methods she has not been but. If Ditcheva wins, throwing her in with both Carmouche or Santos can be the ultimate step to see if she is a world-class expertise at age 26.
10. Ian Machado Garry vs. Colby Covington, UFC
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Ian Machado Garry completes exceptional comeback to win by way of TKO
Ian Garry stays undefeated with a TKO victory over Kenan Track.
It is a battle that makes an excessive amount of sense now. A win would purchase Covington again some goodwill with the followers and the UFC that he misplaced in a lackluster efficiency in opposition to Leon Edwards final 12 months. If he beats a younger, hungry, surging contender reminiscent of Machado Garry, it reaffirms his place close to the highest of the 170-pound division and offers any of his callouts extra validity. For Machado Garry, it is an opportunity so as to add the most important identify to his résumé but and earn a very good share of the highlight. I would like to see it as a predominant occasion, ideally in Eire. Covington in Eire can be a scene. Inform me you would not stand up for that battle week.