Dream Scenarios: Four Super Fights That Could Happen In 2016
What is a “super fight”?
A super fight in mixed martial arts is a contest between two champions or simply a bout between two of the sport’s best who agree on a common ground to meet at.
While often talked about, a super fight actually coming to fruition is a rarity, but that could soon change as the New Year approaches.
MMA is a business at the end of the day, and the world’s largest promotion, the UFC, will undoubtedly be looking to piggy back off of an extremely successful 2015 with a monstrous 2016.
That being said, fans could be in store for our fair share of gigantic fights, and it wouldn’t be strange to see multiple super fights take place.
Let’s take a look at four potential super fights we could be treated to in 2016:
TJ Dillashaw vs. Demetrious Johnson
Despite arguably being the most underappreciated, and under supported champion in the UFC, reigning flyweight king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has established himself amongst the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
As the only 125-pound boss in the history of the promotion, Johnson has essentially cleaned out the division with the exception of a fight with former Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo.
Assuming “Mighty Mouse” continues his reign of dominance if and when he meets “The Messenger”, there simply won’t be much left for him at flyweight.
That being said, he should look to a potentially huge super fight with bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw.
Dillashaw will face off with former champion Dominick Cruz next month in a highly anticipated affair. Due to the shallowness of the 135-pound division, however, if Dillashaw is victorious, this super fight could very well place.
“Mighty Mouse” has claimed that he would only accept this fight for a whopping $2 million, but with his drawing power always under question, expect him to budge on that deal and take a huge pay day in 2016.
Jon Jones vs. Fabricio Werdum/Cain Velasquez
After being arrested on felony charges and stripped of his long-held title last April, former light heavyweight ruler Jon “Bones” Jones has now been reinstated by the UFC, and is gearing up for what will be a massive rematch with current champ Daniel Cormier sometime in 2016.
The two have met once before with “Bones” scoring a convincing decision victory last January.
Now apparently refocused, and motivated, there’s no reason to believe that Jones won’t topple Cormier again, and if he does, there will be little left for him to handle at 205-pounds.
A move to heavyweight has long been discussed for Jones, and it makes even more sense now given his new found love for strength training. “Bones” has looked absolutely huge as of late, and has expressed his interest in reclaiming the light heavyweight title before heading up to dance with the big boys.
Given Jones’ stature, and resume, I’d have to assume that he would be granted an immediate title shot if he were to move up.
That being said, a super fight between “Bones” and the winner of UFC 196’s rematch between Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez could be on the horizon for 2016.
Jones has the skill set to compete with anyone in the world, and if he can continue to pack on some size, a bout with either man would be insanely intriguing stylistically.
Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre
Perhaps no other potential super fight has been talked about more than a dreamed about scrap between two of the most prolific champions in MMA history.
Although both have since lost their belts, a bout between legendary former middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva and former 170-pound kingpin Georges St-Pierre has seemed to have come close to coming to fruition numerous times before folding.
While fans would’ve loved it to be when each man was sitting on the top of their respective thrones, it may be a more realistic possibility in 2016.
After losing twice to Chris Weidman in 2013, and spending all of 2014 on the sidelines nursing a leg injury, Silva returned last January to score a unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz. That win was later changed to a No Contest after “The Spider” tested positive for anabolic steroids.
At age 40, the Brazilian will return after his suspension in February to take on Michael Bisping in London.
St-Pierre, on the other hand, has remained sidelined since 2013 after surprisingly vacating his title and going into a semi-retirement. The questions and rumors about a potential return for the Canadian superstar have surfaced ever since and 2016 could finally be the year that “Rush” steps back into the Octagon.
If Silva is victorious in his next bout, and GSP decides to give fighting a second go, the stars could align for the fight we’ve always wanted.
Although some of the excitement may be lost to do the stage each man is at, it would still be a historic contest.
Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre at UFC 200?
Conor McGregor vs. Rafael dos Anjos
This potential clash may be the most realistic out of the four on this list.
After unifying the 145-pound title with a shocking 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo, Irish hype machine the “Notorious” Conor McGregor made it clear that his plan was to move up to lightweight and become the UFC’s first two weight world champion.
UFC president Dana White confirmed that McGregor would receive an immediate title shot upon moving up and it’s looking like a very realistic option.
Current 155-pound boss Rafael dos Anjos defended his title just one week after McGregor dethroned Aldo, smashing highly touted contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
With the “Notorious” one being the sport’s biggest star, and dos Anjos being a welcoming challenger, fans could very well be treated to this scrap in the near future.
Who would you pick to come out on top?
