The UFC, like every other sports entity in the world, is currently in limbo while humankind waits out the coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus has destroyed the global economy and has also led to the cancellation of at least three and possibly more UFC cards. With MMA currently in a hiatus, we thought it would be a good time to look through each division and match-make future bouts for when the sport returns. In this edition of Fight Fixin’, we take a look at the UFC welterweight division. Note: Some fighters currently have fights booked, but we will ignore those matchups for this series.
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal for UFC welterweight title
One of the most important fights the UFC needs to book immediately upon resumption of the flight schedule is Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal for the UFC welterweight title. The promotion had plans of having these two fight in the main event of the International Fight Week card in July, and the UFC should work on booking them against each other once again whenever it’s possible. Usman and Masvidal are the two best welterweights in the sport right now, and both men do not like each other. This would be an amazing fight and it needs to happen as soon as the UFC can book it. And of course it needs to headline a pay-per-view card, as it’s one of the biggest fights out there right now.
Tyron Woodley vs. Colby Covington
Maybe the biggest grudge in the UFC welterweight division is between Tyron Woodley and Colby Covington; we need to see this fight whenever the UFC schedule resumes. These two have been talking trash to each other for the better part of the last few years, but for whatever reason, we haven’t seen them fight yet. 2020 is the perfect time to do so. With both men coming off of losses to Usman, it’s the right time for these two to meet inside the Octagon and settle their beef once and for all. It would be the perfect main event for a Fight Night card or a co-main event for a pay-per-view, with the winner of the fight likely getting the next title shot against the Usman vs. Masvidal winner.
Leon Edwards vs. Gilbert Burns
Two of the top welterweights in the sport right now are Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns, and matching them up makes a lot of sense. Both men are looking in top form as of late, and each is closing in on a title shot. Both men were in talks to fight Tyron Woodley, at UFC London and UFC 249, respectively, but both fights didn’t end up happening, so it would be great to see these two matched against each other instead. It would be a well-matched fight between two of the most well-rounded fighters in the division, and the winner of the bout would be in contention for a title shot.
Robbie Lawler vs. Geoff Neal
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler isn’t the best in the world at 170 lbs anymore, but he’s still a dangerous man who would be a tough fight for any up-and-comer. Geoff Neal has been quietly climbing the welterweight ranks these last few years, and he deserves the chance to fight a big name. Lawler at this point is a gatekeeper and Neal is the perfect opponent for him when the UFC schedule resumes. These two strikers are exciting to watch and would produce fireworks if matched up. Expect nothing less than an absolute war if they were to meet in the cage.
Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price 2
When the full card for the ill-fated UFC 249 event was announced last week, one of the fights that fans were most excited about was a rematch between exciting welterweights Vicente Luque and Niko Price. Both guys are known as fan favorites due to always being in fun fights, and the rematch was going to be one of the best fights on the card. These two met three years ago with Luque winning the fight by submission, but a rematch in 2020 could go differently, seeing as though Price is much improved. Both men are always in incredible fights, and the UFC needs to book the rematch whenever it can.
What do you think of the above matchups in the UFC middleweight division? Comment under this article, or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MMAdamMartin.
