10 UFC fights that absolutely must happen in 2018

#4 Stipe Miocic vs. Cain Velasquez

By beating Cain Velasquez, Stipe Miocic could answer any questions about his greatness

After beating top contender Francis Ngannou at UFC 220 this month, Stipe Miocic has laid his claim to being the greatest Heavyweight fighter in UFC history, largely thanks to his record of three successful title defenses – a feat unmatched previously in UFC history. But it still feels like there’s an asterisk by Miocic’s record as champion, and that’s because a lot of people would argue he would never have been champion had Cain Velasquez been more healthy.

Velasquez lost his title to Fabricio Werdum in 2015 after a year on the shelf with injuries, and he’s only fought once since – a beatdown of Travis Browne in July 2016. But on paper, he’d be a nightmare match for Miocic – a better wrestler, possibly a better striker, and the best cardio that the Heavyweight division’s ever seen. If Miocic were to beat Cain, there’d literally be no question about his status as the best Heavyweight of his era. But if he were to lose, that mantle would go back to Velasquez.

The only question is whether Cain can get himself healthy enough to actually fight in 2018. Right now he’s saying he’s almost there, and his teammate Daniel Cormier has suggested that he isn’t lying. With Miocic looking to spend some time away as his wife is due to give birth, that could be ample time to set the fight up if Cain won’t be ready until later in 2018. Simply put, it’s *the* match that the UFC needs to make at Heavyweight this year.