What to expect from the UFC in 2019

#6 Featherweight

Max Holloway probably won't return until mid-2019, but Featherweight is stacked anyway

We don’t yet have a title fight booked for 2019 at 145lbs, and that makes sense as champion Max Holloway only picked up his second successful defense by beating Brian Ortega at UFC 231 a few weeks ago. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that neither man has their next fight scheduled yet, and the likelihood is that we won’t see Holloway in action until midway through 2019.

Who he fights next is also a big question mark. Ignoring Ortega and Jose Aldo – both of whom Holloway has beaten – the next ranked contender is Frankie Edgar, but he hasn’t fought since a dull April victory over Cub Swanson. Could the UFC re-book Holloway vs. Edgar – which was cancelled at UFC 222 due to a Holloway injury – or will they look to a more marketable-sounding fight?

One man who could step into contention is Renato Moicano. He’s currently on a 2-fight win streak, has only ever lost to Ortega, and is extremely exciting to watch. He’s booked against Aldo on 02/02, and if he can overcome the legendary former champion then it’d be hard to deny him the next crack at Holloway.

Another possible contender could be the winner of the UFC 232 fight between Chad Mendes and Alexander Volkanovski – particularly if the Australian prospect can defeat the former title contender Mendes – but as far as 2019 goes, perhaps the most exciting fight booked at 145lbs will come at UFC 235 in March. Jeremy Stephens faces the rapidly-climbing Zabit Magomedsharipov, and if the Dagestani can come through that fight, then calls for him to fight Holloway would probably become louder and louder.

Elsewhere, not too many fights have been booked at Featherweight – but one interesting one comes in the form of the debut of Kron Gracie, the son of the legendary Rickson Gracie. Unsurprisingly he’s a decorated grappler, but he’s also done well in MMA thus far – he tapped veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri in 2016, for instance. He faces Alex Caceres on ESPN on 02/17 in what should be a fascinating fight to watch.