What specific fight didn’t happen so far this year that you most wish would have that realistically was possible but didn’t happen due to injury, contract impasse, or someone else be chosen as an opponent instead?
CHRIS KING, MMATorch contributor
It isn’t the most anticipated fight that fell through ever, but seeing Jon Jones have to withdraw so close to UFC 200 left me really disappointed, mainly because Jon Jones is such a damn idiot. He has the world at his feet, yet cannot seemingly find anyone to help control him and save him from himself. Yes, he probably would have won the fight, but I was still intrigued. Daniel Cormier was willing to throw everything on the line and it would have been interesting to see if he could have come up with anything different to trouble Jones with.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATorch columnist
My choice would be Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier to unify the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. No matter how stupid and immature Jones can be, he’s still one of the best fighters of all-time. And I really wanted to see if Cormier could take him out or if Jones would reassert himself as the dominant figure in that division. It would have been a great fight and we were robbed of it by yet another out of cage incident for Jones.
MICHAEL GROCKE, MMATorch contributor
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. This fight was supposed to be the main event at UFC 200, but Dana White and company were forced to pull Jones out of the bout due to a failed drug test just days before the event. Jones seemed to have gotten himself back on track by beating Ovince Saint Preux after a one year suspension because of a felony hit and run charge.
As for Daniel Cormier, this was his chance for redemption. A chance to avenge his loss to Jones back in January of 2015 at UFC 182. It was a fight in which Jones won convincingly by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46). Cormier had put everything he had into training for the UFC 200 fight, to the point that he broke down in tears upon hearing the news of the failed drug test.
Daniel Cormier is a great fighter, nobody questions that. What people do question – and even Cormier himself may question – is whether he the best fighter in the Light Heavyweight Division with a healthy Jon Jones around? Most say no, but until we get Jones vs. Cormier II, it’s a question without an answer.
ABE RUVALCABA, MMATorch contributor
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler. Whenever I saw the fight announcement, I didn’t believe it. The matchup was guaranteed fireworks and mayhem. Unfortunately, Lawler had to pull out of the fight. The good thing is that it is still a fight that can happen once Lawler gets fully recovered and if Cerrone makes it through his UFC 206 fight uninjured.
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