With a slow paced card that featured only two finishes all night, UFC 219 was a microcosm of sorts for the UFC’s 2017: A slow start which kicked into gear right at the end.
While fighters picked up much needed and pick wins throughout the night, the events main and co-main event delivered great showcases for the winners in Cris Cyborg and Khabib Nurmagomedov respectively.
As the UFC closes the book on 2017, here are five fights for the UFC to make as we head into 2018:
Cris Cyborg vs Megan Anderson
Cyborg vs Holm was a perfect showcase of how the Brazilian has developed over the years.
With patient pressure, Cyborg stalked Holly Holm over five rounds and picked her moments with alarming accuracy, a testament to the hard work that Cyborg and her coach Jason Parillo have put in.
With Holm providing Cyborg’s biggest test thus far, seeing the Brazilian against similarly sized opponents is the only way to go as opposed to fighters moving up a considerable amount of weight.
As UFC 221 approaches in February, putting Cyborg against the Australian Megan Anderson in her backyard would be a smart move.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson
What follows after Nurmagomedov’s dominant win over Edson Barboza should be a three-step plan:
1. Strip Conor McGregor of his lightweight title.
You shouldn’t be able to win a belt in 2016, fight once in another sport in 2017 and head into 2018 without a title defence even booked.
2. Promote Tony Ferguson to lightweight champion.
‘El Cucuy’ is the interim champion at 155 lbs and holds the record of the longest win streak in UFC lightweight history.
3. Give Nurmagomedov his rightful title challenge.
25-0 is an incredible record in MMA and the way that Khabib has gone about his victories is even more impressive. Ferguson vs Nurmagomedov is the most decorated and impressive fight the UFC can make at lightweight.
Dan Hooker vs Clay Guida
Since returning to lightweight, Dan Hooker has gone 2-0 against English opposition and finished both Ross Pearson and Marc Diakiese in impressive fashion.
The six-foot fighter proceeded to ask for a position on the upcoming Australian card after defeating Diakiese and a match-up with Clay Guida, a fighter with an identical 2-0 resurgence at lightweight, would make for an exciting contest.
Carla Esparza vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Cynthia Calvillo may have complained after losing out on a decision against Carla Esparza but the former strawweight champion had bounced back impressively after a disappointing opening round.
With Jessica Andrade set to face Tecia Torres, a bout with Karolina Kowalkiewicz makes the most sense for Esparza next.
Neil Magny vs Usman/Meek winner
With pressure and takedowns, Neil Magny imposed the perfect gameplan against a returning Carlos Condit.
Magny has acted as a gatekeeper to the stars at welterweight and has gone 2-2 in his last four fights, dropping bouts to his opponents in their prime.
I’d be wary of giving Magny a big step up in the rankings so a bout with the winner of the upcoming Kamaru Usman – Emil Meek fight would prove the winner to be worthy of a top-five opponent.