The UFC are usually fairly spot on with the fights that they make. More often than not, we get the fights that people want to see, that make sense and also that have fans excited. With that being said, it isn’t always the case.
We do the hard work for Dana White this time and play matchmaker, providing him with the top three fights he and the UFC have to make.
Top 3 Fights Dana White Has to Make
Middleweight Title Bout – Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya
There is little doubt that this fight will be next at 185lbs, especially with the former champion, Sean Strickland clashing with Paulo Costa at UFC 302. The champion, Dricus du Plessis is yet to make a title defence and he has the perfect first dance partner in his former foe, Israel Adesanya. The two were all set to clash at UFC 293, however, due to injuries, the South African was unable to make the walk, allowing Strickland to take the opportunity and consequently shock the world.
It’s the logical fight to make. The Last Stylebender deserves a shot at the belt again and has the previous rivalry with the champion to make the fight palatable. The rivalry comes from a disagreement regarding their African heritage, with du Plessis claiming that he’s the ‘true’ African after Adesanya moved away from the continent to New Zealand.
Du Plessis claims that he is the first, true African born champion, to which Adesanya disputes. The two men have a clear dislike for each other and would, without a doubt sell the fight to fans. Book it for UFC 295 in Australia, somewhere where fans look kindly on the former champion.
Undisputed Heavyweight Title Bout – Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Without a doubt, the only people that want to see Jon Jones face off against the former champion, Stipe Miocic are people in Team Miocic who are set to make money from the bout. There is no way that fight should have been booked in the first place and now, after it’s been cancelled once, lets not rebook it. Miocic hasn’t fought since March 2021, a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. He hasn’t had a victory since August 2020 and hasn’t put back to back wins together since 2017/2018.
The logical fight is for the undisputed heavyweight champion (Jon Jones) and the interim champion (Tom Aspinall) to clash for the undisputed belt. Now, we’re not saying Jones is avoiding the Brit, however, he seems very dismissive of the fight itself. Bones is seemingly more interested in a bout with Alex Pereira, rather than defending his belt against the rightful next contender in Aspinall. How could you blame him, Jones has competed for 2:04 since 2020, in which time Aspinall has seven times, notching six finishes and losing one due to injury.
It’s the fight to make and more than likely won’t ever be made. Jones will fight Miocic and then retire and Aspinall will eventually compete for the vacant, undisputed belt after that.
https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1786349837916524769
Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira – 5 Round Main Event for the #1 Contenders Spot
Without a doubt, one of the standout stars of 2024 so far has been Kayla Harrison. She proved the no-sayers wrong by making 135lbs for her UFC debut at the mega, UFC 300. Not only did she make weight, but she put on a dominant clinic against former title holder and perennial contender, Holly Holm. The 33 year old made a huge splash with her performance and took to the mic to call her shot and it was a title shot that she called for.
It’s hard to deny that she doesn’t deserve the shot, she was extremely dominant, worked the media well beforehand and is a potential superstar. With that being said, she’s just 1-0 in the promotion.
There are three women ranked above Harrison as it stands. Mayra Bueno Silva just competed for the belt and lost. That leaves Ketlen Vieira and the former champion, Julianna Pena. Taking the former champ first, Pena doesn’t deserve a shot at the belt. Although she shocked the world when she submitted Amanda Nunes in 2021, she’s been out of action since she was battered by Nunes in the rematch in 2022. She put in one of the worst performances by a champion in recent memory. She was taken down six times, knocked down three times and lost a decision with cards including 50-44 and 50-43. She needs another contender’s fight before competing for the belt again.
Vieira is only riding a one fight winning run, however, claimed that Harrison has turned down a potential fight with her at UFC 303. Simply put, book this one for a 5 round fight night main event (in front of fans of course) for the #1 contenders fight. This will answer many questions and allow a clear contender to come to light.
