Let’s face it, mixed martial arts fans: we’re spoiled. The UFC has separated itself from the model of boxing, where the fights we want don’t always happen right away. When we think about 2019 and the premier matchups available, many of them are sequels. UFC 229’s main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Conor McGregor was by far the largest commercial success in terms of pay-per-view numbers, while UFC 225 featured a rematch between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero that many felt was one of the most competitive and intense fights in recent middleweight history. You could run both of those fights back, as well as many others.
Which do I lean towards? Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz. Given that Conor was submitted in his previous contest, and Nate is still coming off his close decision loss to McGregor back in August of 2016, it’s never been a better time. Before UFC 229’s record-shattering night (which McGregor was also a part of), two of the most successful nights in company history were these two’s previous clashes (UFC 196 and 202). Come on, Dana.
Image: Simer Haer/The Cascade
