ROUNDTABLE: Three fights we’d like to see in 2019 (UPDATED)

What are the top 3 fights you would like to see in 2019?

Sean Covington, Columnist – Covington’s Corner

I’d like to see fighters fight more at their natural weight instead of cutting down so much. There are two fights I’d like to see this year:

1. Cain Velasquez vs Brock Lesnar for the UFC Championship
2. Ben Askren vs literally anyone

Because I think the hype train for Askren is ridiculous and he is underwhelming to me. He’s like the Chicago Bears, a great record but he’ll be out in the first round against someone who’s better.

Christian Moore, MMATorch Contributor

My top three fights I’d like to see in 2019 are:

1. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. GSP
2. Max Holloway vs. Alexander Volkanovski
3. Jon Jones vs. Cain Velasquez or Daniel Cormier

I would’ve said Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade, being a huge Andrade fan, but the fight is happening, so I excluded it. I think we know GSP and Khabib probably won’t happen. Volkanovski vs Holloway would be terrific because Alex is the biggest threat to Holloway, and this fight would be terrific. Lastly, I got Jones/Cormier because duh. But if by some miracle, Cormier’s ego allows him to retire without fighting Jon once more, which it probably won’t, but then we could get Jones/Velaquez, which would also be crazy.

Michael Grocke, MMATorch Fight Handicapper

For my money, the best fights all reside in the loaded UFC lightweight division. The fight I want to see most is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. Not only are these two of the top lightweights, but they are also two of the best fighters in the world. I would also like to see Dustin Poirier fight Conor McGregor with the winner taking on the either Khabib or Ferguson. Keeping it in the UFC lightweight division, Justin Gaethje vs. Al Iaquinta has Fight of the Year written all over it.

The wrestling fan in me wants Brock Lesnar vs. anybody, and in Bellator AJ McKee vs. Aaron Pico would be fantastic.

Michael Hiscoe, MMATorch Managing Editor

The first fight that has to happen this year is Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Cormier. They have already shot the set-up angle so now UFC has to deliver. It’s looking like a summer date between the two is in the cards, so let’s hope it comes together.

I also want to see Conor McGregor fight this year in a meaningful but fan-friendly fight. I also want to see Georges St-Pierre back in the cage. So with that in mind, why don’t we match them up together? McGregor vs. GSP will likely be the biggest UFC fight of all time, so how can you not make that fight?

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Finally, I’d like to see Jon Jones take on Cain Velasquez at heavyweight. I think it’s a hell of a matchup stylistically, and it’s the perfect set up for Jones-Cormier 3 towards the end of the year.

Frank Hyden, Columnist – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I’d like to see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier fight a third time. I’d also like to see Georges St. Pierre and UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley fight. Above all else, though, I want to see Tony Ferguson and UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov fight. It’s been booked numerous times before but we’ve never gotten to see it, and it’s time. I want to see those two fight so we can see who’s the best lightweight in the world.