UFC Predictions for 2020
2019 has been an unforgettable year for Dana White and the UFC as the newly inked ESPN partnership is in full effect and it has treated us to a plethora of UFC fights. To be exact, 15 championship fights have ensued thus far and if everything goes to plan, four more will take place before the year ends. 2020 is right around the corner and here are six (possibly somewhat outlandish) predictions for the UFC’s new year.
Conor McGregor’s Return
What is a UFC 2020 prediction piece without mentioning the comeback of the notorious one? Conor McGregor has not made his long-awaited return since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov, but his name surely has not escaped news headlines. He has been tied to fighting Jorge Masvidal, fighting an unpopular Irish boxer, and punching an old man at a bar. Are these the best headlines to be apart of? For sure not, but McGregor is hopeful to make his return to the octagon in 2020. Who it will be against is anyone’s guess, but any fight with McGregor as the A side is money in the pocket of the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Georges St-Pierre
Tony Ferguson deserves his crack at the 155 pound strap. At this point, it is tough to deny the man. Hypothetically speaking, say Nurmagomedov wins and retains his belt, why not Georges St-Pierre? In a recent Instagram post, he looks lighter than usual.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Fil__phTE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Look, I am not saying anything, but I am. Nurmagomedov. St- Pierre. A super fight between two of the greatest fighters that the human eye will witness. Late 2020. Book it.
Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic III & Cormier’s Retirement
Dana White confirms Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy in the works (@DamonMartin) https://t.co/tNWeKiAcly pic.twitter.com/zhTgQ2v9qA
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 19, 2019
Sorry for those who were longing for a trilogy between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. Although fun, the Stipe Miocic and Cormier trilogy makes more sense. Cormier retiring seems inevitable. Whether he retires on top or on a two-fight losing skid, time will tell.
Paulo Costa’s Title Shot
Since beating Yoel Romero in a fight of the year contender back in August, Costa seems like the obvious choice to fight newly crowned king Israel Adesanya. Costa touts an unbeaten professional record and an unblemished UFC record of 5-0. Costa. Adesanya. Locked in a cage for 25 minutes. Oh my.
Jon Jones’ Heavyweight Debut
Jones’ next fight will likely be at 205 pounds. Needing to wait for the results of top contender fights such as Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker Jan Blachowicz vs. Jacare Souza seemed extremely important for Jones. But, with Dominick Reyes impressively laying waste to Chris Weidman, Reyes seems next in line for the title shot. After that? Cormier may retire and if he beats Miocic, that belt would become vacated. Francis Ngannou vs. Jones for a vacant UFC title? Sheesh.
Alexander Gustafsson’s Return
Alexander Gustafsson “retired” after he lost his sole 2019 bout to Anthony Smith. I don’t buy it. Gustafsson is such a phenomenal talent if he did not share the same era with the likes of Jones and Cormier, he would’ve had a belt around his waist. Whether he returns to fight at 205 pounds or maybe at heavyweight, he will be back.
UFC 2020 would be a bananas if some or any of these predictions come to fruition. Only time will tell. Until then, 2019 still has some eyebrow raising fights.
