With rumors that the UFC could be returning to Manchester this July, we take a look at some exciting matchups the UK crowd could be treated too.
The matchups depend on if the promotion decide to host a pay-per-view event, or a fight night, the latter the more likely.
However, with the United Kingdom’s talent pool booming, we have many options for a stacked fight night.
UFC Manchester: Lerone Murphy’s Homecoming
Lerone Murphy has had a turbulent life and career and yet he has shone throughout. The top 15 featherweight missed his shot against Dan Ige through injury back in February. Born and raised in Manchester Murphy is set on a homecoming this summer and an opportunity against MMA Icon Edson Barboza would be perfect. However if the Brazilian fights at UFC 301 in May another option is fellow elite European Giga Chikadze. The vicious Georgian bounced back last August after a dominant defeat to Calvin Kattar in the previous year. He then pulled out of UFC 296 due to a groin strain so the summertime showdown vs Murphy fits well with his recovery.
George Hardwick vs Mason Jones
Cage Warriors is one of the best pathways into the UFC for British fighters the likes of Conor McGregor and Michael Bisping have pulled on the yellow gloves. Currently two of Britain’s best Lightweights compete within the organisation and both had opportunities with the UFC in the past. George Hardwick is the current king at Lightweight and had an opportunity on DWCS last summer but unfortunately lost via decision, ending his eight fight win streak with seven finishes in those bouts. He will defend his Cage Warriors crown at the end of March and a big finish could propel him straight into the elite MMA organisation. Welshman Mason Jones had four fights in the UFC with varied results which resulted in him returning to Cage Warriors last July. Since then he has put together 3 finishes in the division he was previously champion and is barrelling towards current king Hardwick.
Molly McCann Main Card Opener
Molly McCann always brings eyeballs and a ferocious atmosphere and is perfect for kicking off the main card in Manchester. Reinventing herself as a strawweight after some patchy form at flyweight McCann is ready to string some wins together towards the rankings and possibly the summit of the sport. On the fringe of the rankings at strawweight sit Gillian Robertson and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Robertson beat McCann in Liverpool in McCann’s debut in what was a gut wrenching defeat so a chance to avenge it close to home sells itself to the fans. Kowalkiewicz has had a mixed UFC career like McCann but is currently on a four fight win streak after a five defeats on the bounce. Both have just beaten Diana Belbiţă and are aiming towards the top of the division.
UFC PPV in Manchester
With two champions residing in Britain a numbered UFC card should be happening this year and it would be stacked. This is how the UFC could create an elite main card for a Manchester PPV even without Muhammed Mokaev and Brandon Royval.
Tom Aspinall Defends Interim
Searching for an opponent since his brilliant KO victory over Sergei Pavlovich, Aspinall now looks set to defend his interim belt before getting a shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic. The opponent will be decided this weekend at UFC 299. Curtis Blaydes takes on surging prospect Jailton Almeida yet to taste defeat in his UFC tenure. Both men have a gruelling wrestling style and if the fight provides no standout from either man expect Cyril Gane to step up to the plate.
Leon Edwards Defends Again
After accepting three opponents for the UFC 300 main event no fight materialised for the welterweight champion so a summer defence looks likely. Unfortunately for fans Belal Muhammed is the clear contender and has been guaranteed the title fight by Dana White. He is on a ten fight unbeaten streak and has beaten top contender Gilbert Burns last time out to earn his shot.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page Dream Fight
If successful this weekend new UFC signing Michael Page will call his shot for a fight on this potential Manchester card. The opponent ideally will be Stephen Thompson in what could be a striking masterpiece. Since the announcement of Page signing with the organisation fans have matched the pair as a dream fight and it makes sense for the Brit too who has aspirations of earning a UFC title.
Paddy Pimblett Returns
Paddy Pimblett has shot into the media limelight and is a polarising figure within the MMA community, he has pioneered for a UFC event in Anfield at some point but an event in Manchester will have to suffice for now. Every lightweight ranked or unranked has mentioned his name as a potential opponent. Most recently Renato Moicano has called him out for UFC 301 in Rio. If that doesn’t come about then Pimblett would be huge in Manchester against any opponent. Drew Dober is always up for a great scrap and sits on the fringe of the rankings, he is a great opponent for Pimblett to get into the rankings.
Jack Shore vs Bryce Mitchell
Jack Shore has been away from the octagon for almost a year but is scheduled to fight in Rio at UFC 301. If he is to upset the apple cart and beat Joanderson Brito in his home nation he could be in line for a shot at a ranking in the summer. Bryce Mitchell has had some mixed results recently and is coming off a violent KO loss. He will need to defend his current number 10 ranking and Shore coming off a big win in Brazil could get that shot with a big call out.
