5 fantasy fights that could be the UFC's biggest draws

The ever-evolving nature of the UFC constantly teases fans with bigger and bigger potential fantasy matchups. The UFC often does a stellar job in terms of their matchmaking, but there are always dream fights that the MMA community is calling out for to be booked.

In the past, fights between greats such as Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva and Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg have missed their window of opportunity, much to the dismay of many an MMA fan.

In the following list we detail five fights that could be huge PPV draws should the UFC manage to book them. Honorable mentions go to Henry Cejudo vs. Alexander Volkanovski, Colby Covington vs. Jorge Masvidal and Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3.

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#5. Conor McGregor vs. Jorge Masvidal - UFC welterweight

Despite being on a two-fight losing skid, Conor McGregor remains one of the biggest draws in all of combat sports. Considering his relatively lackluster performances at 155-lbs over the past five years, it may be that a move back to welterweight could be the best option for 'Notorious.'

One of the fighters at 170-lbs who would jump at the chance to welcome McGregor back is Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal. The Irishman and Masvidal have a shared former opponent in Nate Diaz, and it was against him that 'Gamebred' won the iconic 'BMF' belt.

Conor McGregor has already declared an interest in acquiring said belt, but to do so, he would have to overcome Masvidal. Right now, this is a fight that does arguably seem logical. Both McGregor and Masvidal are on losing streaks, but both men are still huge PPV draws that fans would love to see compete against one another.

UFC 244 Masvidal v Diaz

#4. Jan Blachowicz vs. Francis Ngannou - UFC heavyweight

The current UFC light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz, has repeatedly hinted at a future move up to heavyweight at some point in his career. While his immediate future is at light heavyweight with a title defense against Glover Teixeira rapidly approaching, 2022 could be the year we see if Blachowicz's 'Polish Power' still holds up at heavyweight.

The heavyweight division is currently in complete turmoil. Francis Ngannou is the current champion, having knocked out Stipe Miocic earlier this year. However, Ciryl Gane recently claimed the interim heavyweight title after defeating Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is also waiting in the wings for his first fight in the heavyweight division, while Miocic is calling for a title rematch with Ngannou.

Blachowicz could potentially end up against any of these four fighters, but Ngannou is the current champion and provides the most intriguing matchup for the Pole at the time of writing.

Ngannou's knockout power is a phenomenon that Blachowicz has likely never felt before. But the Polish 205-lbs UFC champion would have a speed and agility advantage. He has also shown a willingness to hit the body, as he did in the Reyes fight. Should he be able to evade Ngannou's initial onslaught and begin sapping his gas tank, Poland may well end up with their first-ever double UFC champion.

UFC 253 Reyes v Blachowicz

#3. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 - UFC lightweight/welterweight

The trilogy bout is destined to come about at some point. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz's rivalry is one of the greatest in modern MMA. The two men are pure entertainment when behind the microphone, and when they enter the octagon, sparks always fly.

UFC 196: McGregor v Diaz

When Conor McGregor first faced off against Nate Diaz, he was undefeated inside the UFC octagon. He had just knocked out Jose Aldo to claim the featherweight belt and was looking unstoppable. When a fight with Rafael dos Anjos fell through on short notice, Nate Diaz took it upon himself to step up and face the Irish superstar.

Fans of the UFC will all know what happened next. McGregor quickly ran out of gas and was choked into submission by Stockton's finest. An immediate rematch was booked, and this time the fight went the full five rounds. In an all-out war, McGregor eventually saw his hand raised, albeit by a narrow margin.

This puts both men at a win apiece. Now, with both on two-fight losing streaks, it would be the ideal time to see them resolve their rivalry once and for all. Diaz is certainly entering the twilight of his career, now aged 36, and waiting much longer may give the younger McGregor an unfair advantage.

UFC 263: Adesanya v Vettori 2

#2. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Charles Oliveira - UFC lightweight

Following Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement from the UFC after defeating Justin Gaethje in 2020, Dana White heavily hinted at the chance that he would return for the right opponent. Since then, the former lightweight champion has crushed these hopes, focusing his time on the coaching side of MMA rather than competing.

But, as Khabib stated on a recent episode of Mike Tyson's HotBoxin' podcast, he still trains every day. He also remarked that he believes he could still defeat any fighter in the lightweight division. The claim is backed up by the fact that he has already beaten many of the 155-lbs elite, including Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Conor McGregor.

However, one fighter he never faced was the new UFC lightweight champion, Charles 'Do Bronx' Oliveira. The intriguing caveat to arguing that Khabib may struggle against Oliveria is the Brazilian's incredibly high BJJ submission game. 'Do Bronx' holds the record for submission finishes in the UFC and also has knockout power in his hands.

UFC 262: Charles Oliveira v Michael Chandler

Oliveira will next face off against a former opponent of Nurmagomoedov's in Dustin Poirier. Should he defeat 'Diamond,' questions will certainly be raised regarding who the greater fighter was. Legacy has always been the primary motivator for Nurmagomedov, and Oliveira may just be able to coax 'The Eagle' back from retirement.

UFC 242 Khabib v Poirier

#1. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones - UFC light heavyweight

Out of all the active athletes on the UFC roster, it is hard to imagine a potential fight that would generate more interest than a matchup between UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

UFC 232 Jones v Gustafsson 2

There is legitimate animosity between the two men, having gone back and forth over social media multiple times. However, several variables indicate that we won't see the fight take place for another year. Jones recently announced he will move up to heavyweight, while Adesanya had an unsuccessful venture into the light heavyweight division.

It may be wise for Adesanya to continue defending his middleweight belt while Jones attempts to pick up some traction at heavyweight. It will likely only be a matter of time until 'Bones' makes the move back down, and when he does, Adesanya will be waiting.

UFC 263: Adesanya v Vettori 2

Both fighters can sell huge PPV numbers just off the back of their name alone. Combining both would quite possibly break the current PPV record, set by Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.