2022 was an incredible year for fight fans, with the UFC and other organizations delivering some fantastic cards. Events are already scheduled for the first part of 2023, with some great matchups for fans to get excited about. However, there are plenty of events that are scheduled without announced bouts yet, so here are five fights that I would like to see the UFC make in 2023:
5. Brendan Loughnane vs. Sodiq Yussuf
The time is right to bring Brendan Loughnane into the UFC. The current PFL featherweight champion deserves the opportunity to show he is one of the very best 145-pounders in the world. To do that, he needs to beat ranked UFC fighters, and Yusuff (#12) makes plenty of sense. His only loss in the UFC is to Arnold Allen, but he is yet to earn a signature win against a top opponent to boost his charge up the rankings. A win over the high-profile Loughnane could help that case whilst also giving Loughnane the chance to call out a top-10 opponent with a victory.
4. Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington
I’ve been calling for this fight since Khamzat beat Gilbert Burns. It makes perfect sense in the landscape of the division and from a stylistic perspective as well. A win for either fighter would legitimise them as the number one contender after Kamaru Usman. Make this fight the co-main event in London. Both Khamzat and Sean Shelby like the matchup, so this should be easy enough to make.
3. Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen
Allen was completely robbed of the chance to fight for the interim title at UFC 284 in Australia. Neither Yair Rodriguez nor Josh Emmett has as strong a case as Allen, who is undefeated in the UFC and on a 12-fight winning streak. Fortunately for Allen, the Holloway bout is even more, higher profile than keeping the seat warm for Volkanovski. If Chimaev vs. Covington can’t be the co-main event at UFC 286, this is the fight to fill that slot. Alternatively, as the UFC plans to get back on the road in 2023, this is the perfect fight to headline a Fight Night in Europe.
2. Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou/Cyril Gane
Enough waiting. Jon Jones has to fight in 2023, or he will never fight in the UFC again. February 8th 2023, will mark three years since his last appearance inside the Octagon, so the sooner he fights, the better. Assuming the UFC and Ngannou can come to an agreement on a contract extension, this is the fight to make. If Ngannou continues to hold out, then Jones’ heavyweight debut should come against Cyril Gane.
1. Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal
Las Vegas odds suggest that Michael Chandler will get the opportunity to welcome McGregor back to the UFC (+125). His all-action style makes him a fan favourite, which has also endeared him to the UFC brass. That fight would be a ton of fun, but in my opinion, Conor McGregor’s comeback fight should be against Jorge Masvidal. Neither fighter has won inside the Octagon for two years, but both are still huge names which sell PPVs. Masvidal’s large contract necessitates a high-profile fight, and they don’t come bigger than McGregor. Finally, given the well-publicized muscle mass, he has added to his frame, Conor would require time to return to 155 pounds (if he ever does), so Masvidal at 170 pounds makes sense.
What fights do you want to see in 2023? Drop a comment below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
