What to expect from the UFC in 2019

#9 Women’s Featherweight

After Cris Cyborg's fight with Amanda Nunes, what will happen to Women's Featherweight?

Women’s Featherweight, like Flyweight, is one big question mark heading into 2019. Obviously, UFC 232 will see Cris Cyborg defend her UFC title against Bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes, but the champion is heavily favoured to win that match. A loss won’t harm Nunes too much, but for Cyborg, the path forward is less clear.

She’s already mooted the idea of leaving the UFC – the fight is the final one on her current contract, but the UFC’s infamous ‘champion’s clause’ may prevent her from simply walking away. Assuming she does stay, however, the winner of the UFC 232 match between Cat Zingano and Megan Anderson should probably provide the next title challenger for her.

Women’s Featherweight has no other fights booked for 2019 thus far, which makes sense given the thin nature of the division, which now has prospect Macy Chiasson – the recent TUF winner - but few other rising contenders. Quite what the UFC intends to do with this division in the New Year is anyone’s guess.