Super Fights Dana White should put on in 2024
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UFC fans have been spoiled with big-time fights for years now. But there are always those certain matchups that will blow the minds of even the most hardcore fans. Dana White has recently hinted at a big super fight on the horizon.
Given that news and the wrapping of 2023, let’s dive into some super fights that we want Dana White to put on in 2024 and beyond. And who knows? Perhaps it is one of these fights that he has in mind…
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
When it comes to super fights in the UFC, an MMA trilogy for the light heavyweight championship between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira is about as big as it gets. The rich backstory between the two foes is well documented and, quite frankly, something out of a Hollywood movie script. If their previous four fights across kickboxing and MMA are any indication, a fifth matchup at 205 pounds would certainly deliver.
After dominating the middleweight division for some time, Israel Adesanya would go up to lightweight heavyweight in 2021 and attempt to become a two-division champion. He would fall short to the Polish power and grappling of Jan Blachowicz, thus failing to take the crown of another weight class. In 2023, The Last Stylebender‘s arch rival would do what Adesanya could not and capture that light heavyweight championship. Pereira’s journey to the eventual title included a victory over Blachowicz, the man who defeated Adesanya, and finally a knockout over Procházka to cement himself as a two-division champion.
Just when the epic rivalry between Pereira and Adesanya was finally thought to be over, it appears that we have not reached the conclusion quite yet. Upon capturing his second world title, Alex Pereira would immediately call out Israel Adesanya. The last time they did meet, “Poatan” was on the floor unconscious while Adesanya was shooting arrows over his body in celebration. Anytime you match up two of the best kickboxers in the sport, you are bound to see great fights and knockouts. Therefore, a MMA trilogy at 205 pounds is not only highly entertaining, but perhaps inevitable at this point.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
The fact of the matter is that regardless of who Conor McGregor faces, it will always be a super fight. The Irishman is responsible for a whopping eight of the company’s ten biggest earnings per views of all time. Conor is the biggest star in the history of the sport, and it is not even remotely close. You can match McGregor up with a mop, and he will still manage to draw at least a million PPV sales. So it is no disrespect to Michael Chandler when saying this, but McGregor can fight literally anyone, and everyone will tune in.
Although McGregor can sell sand to an Egyptian, the better the dance partner, the better the fight. And Michael Chandler is by no means the average mop in your closet; the guy is a brawler, flat out. Chandler is known to have great explosion and knockout power as a fighter. Most importantly, he always delivers with an incredible performance. Seriously, name a Chandler fight in the UFC that has been bad… That, plus the combination of McGregor’s star power, and we have a potential megafight on our hands.
Now, of course, there is one obvious question looming that everyone wants to know: When is Conor McGregor coming back? Well, that seems to be a million-dollar question. We have heard nonstop speculation surrounding a return date since back when he was cleared to start training. Among the anticipation and eagerness, a potential return date for the UFC’s cash cow has been delayed again and again. As we enter 2024, Conor seems to be getting more and more frustrated with the UFC regarding his inactivity in a sport that he loves. For the sake of McGregor and the fans, hopefully we can see the former “Champ Champ” back next year.
Islam Makhachev vs. Leon Edwards
The number one pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, Islam Makhachev, has been eager for a fight with the number four pound-for-pound fighter, Leon Edwards. And over the last year or so, Makhachev has not been shy in terms of his desire to fight the welterweight champion. As each dominant victory piles up for Islam, his case to move up and become a double champ becomes greater and greater.
With the exception of the biggest star the sport has seen in McGregor, it seems Dana White would like his champions to defend their belts at least a couple of times before attempting double champ status. Makhachev would pry the lightweight championship from the great Charles Oliveira in what was a short and one-sided victory. He would then go on to defeat one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport, Alexander Volkanovski, in back-to-back title defenses. You can make a strong case that Makhachev has earned the right to chase the title of two-weight world champion.
You can argue that Leon Edwards’ recent run has been even greater than that of the Dagestani. In his last three victories alone, the welterweight champion has taken out two of the top fighters that the welterweight division has ever seen by defeating Kamaru Usman back-to-back and Colby Covington most recently. Given Edwards’ success against two of the top wrestlers in the sport, it would be interesting to see how he fares against the Dagestan wrestling style of Makhachev. Edwards is simply red hot at the moment, and Makhachev may be playing with fire by picking a fight with Rocky.
The uncertainty of this fight just makes it all the more exciting if it ever takes place. Anytime you get a Champion vs. Champion fight in the UFC, it is safe to slap the “super fight” label on it. But even beyond that, when you get two champions from two of the top weight classes in the world, it is as box office as you can get. Edwards and Makhachev feel like two men who are almost unbeatable given their respective hot streaks… So why not let the unstoppable force meet the immovable object?
Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Towards the latter end of Jon Jones’ run at light heavyweight, the victories seemed less dominant and far closer. Many pundits figured Jones was simply bored of the competition and perhaps playing with his food instead. In other words, many believed that the future Hall of Famer was not getting excited for these newer opponents compared to the likes of Daniel Cormier, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, and other old foes. Well, now at heavyweight, Jones may have just stumbled upon his biggest obstacle ever.
With Jones still at the top of the mountain but in a new weight class, he now finds himself in a situation where he will either retire, as speculated, or have to face Tom Aspinall eventually. The reason the word “eventually” is even included is because, to the chagrin of UFC fans, Dana White still seems dead set on booking Jones vs. Miocic rather than the fight in far higher demand with Aspinall.
Not a huge conspiracy guy, but it does seem like the bigger the moment, the greater the performance we get out of Jon. Surely a matchup with the up-and-coming UK fighter would bring the best out of the best fighter that we have ever seen. With the exception of a knee injury that ended the fight, Aspinall is essentially undefeated in the UFC octagon. He brings forth a style and movement at heavyweight that, dare I say, we have never seen? The man has absolutely run through every heavyweight in his path, so it is not surprising to see the fans clamoring for that Jones-Aspinall matchup. As for Jones, we have seen what he is capable of in his 15+ years.
Which super fight are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below.
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