Published 12:47 IST, October 18th 2019
UFC: The biggest dream matches that never happened inside the cage
UFC has given the fans countless dream matches over the years, but there are some incredible fights that never happened inside the Octagon. Read on for more.
UFC has given the fans a number of marquee fantasy fights over the years like Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones, Wanderlei Silva vs Chuck Liddell, Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov, GSP vs Nick Diaz and so on. But unfortunately, there are also some incredible-sounding fights, often for reasons out of the company's control, that UFC fans have never got to see so far.
A quick run-down of some of the UFC fights that have never been scheduled
Jon Jones vs Brock Lesnar
A fight between these two well-rounded grapplers would definitely match up well inside the cage. This is one of the few matches that could have happened. Jones, who is widely regarded as the best pound for pound in MMA today, called out Brock Lesnar after a victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 (which was later deemed a no-contest after Jones’ failed drug test). Brock Lesnar was quick to accept the challenge, but the fight obviously fell off after USADA announced a 15-month suspension for Jones.
Daniel Cormier vs Brock Lesnar
After Jones’ suspension from the sport, it was DC’s turn to bag a big money fight. Much like Jones, Daniel Cormier was the next to call out Brock Lesnar for a showdown after defeating Stipe to claim the heavyweight crown at UFC 226. In the post-fight interview, DC grabbed the microphone to cut a WWE style promo to issue a challenge to former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar and demanded that Lesnar step in the cage with him. Brock Lesnar, who was in attendance that night, got into the Octagon and created chaos as he pushed Cormier after entering the cage. The fans never got to see this fight as Lesnar announced retirement from MMA and renewed his WWE contract.
Conor McGregor vs Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz, who is currently serving a five-year suspension from the sport for a failed drug test, has expressed an interest in fighting the Irishman Conor Mcgregor. In a recent interview, Diaz said that he would whoop McGregor if the fight was to happen. A match between these two strikers would surely be a sell-out anyday.
Ronda Rousey vs Valentina Shevchenko
Ever since Ronda's retirement from the sport, the UFC has been looking for a replacement. Women like Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Cristiane Cyborg and Amanda Nunes who have all become champions, but none have proved worthy of mimicking the crossover appeal of Ronda Rousey. The current flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko is the only one who can fill the void with her outstanding technical striking abilities and her grappling which is just as strong. Shevchenko has shown interest in a fight with Rousey, but after the latter's decision to walk away after her second loss to Nunes, the fans will mostly never see the fight happen.
Nate Diaz vs GSP
Recently, Nate Diaz called out a retired GSP to a fight. But when asked by Chael Sonnen, if he is actually calling out GSP, Nate corrected Chael that he is calling him out not to fight him, but his brother. Ever since Nick Diaz’s loss to GSP at UFC 158 in 2013, Nate Diaz has held a grudge against George Saint Pierre. Ever since that fight, the fans have always wanted to see how GSP would fare against Nick’s brother Nate, but unfortunately, the fight never happened.
Updated 19:30 IST, October 18th 2019