UFC: five bouts we’d like to see on Dana White’s Fight Island in 2020

UFC president Dana White’s Fight Island is a go off the coast of Abu Dhabi, and now the rumours are swirling as to who will show up
Jon Jones, Zhang Weili, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov and White himself could all make for some compelling bouts in the UAE

Patrick Blennerhassett

Published: 2:00pm, 19 Jun 2020

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Now that Fight Island is more than a twinkle in Dana White’s eye, and a reality off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, it seems like the UFC has two solid spots, along with Las Vegas, where it can book bouts.

The card for UFC 251 on July 12 looks enticing enough to kick off Fight Island, with the likes of Kamaru Usman, Max Holloway, Jose Aldo, Rose Namajunas and Paige VanZant bringing some notable names to the fold. But we’re still waiting on the moneymaker, a true headlining bout on Yas Island.

With that in mind, here are five tilts that could break the bank, and give White and the UFC another feather in their cap as they pump out fight cards at will during this global pandemic.

Conor McGregor vs anyone

Conor McGregor needs to fight again in 2020, but against who? Photo: Reuters

We start where one should always start when it comes to UFC star power, with the Irishman everyone loves to hate and hates to love. McGregor’s retirement is most likely a ploy to keep the conversation going with White, and him trying to get himself back into the ring.

White publicly stated he’d like to see McGregor wait for the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje later this year, but the “Notorious” has a way of getting what he wants. McGregor’s opponent is almost an afterthought – Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, a piece of furniture or some guy off the street – the goal is to get the UFC’s biggest name and top moneymaker off Twitter, out of lockdown in Ireland and inside the Octagon.

Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk II/Rose Namajunas

How about a Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk rematch – what’s not to like? Photo: Reuters

One of the most welcome surprises in the MMA world this year happened at UFC 248 in March in Las Vegas. Zhang and Jedrzejczyk stole the show with a five-round classic, which pundits are already calling one of the greatest MMA fights of all-time. The Chinese strawweight champion and the former title-holder went 25 minutes exchanging blows like it was the last fight of their lives, on the last night on earth.

A rematch could easily headline a card as Zhang has become a shining star in her homeland of China, and is fast winning fans across the planet to boot. Zhang has expressed a desire to fight Namajunas, but “Thug Rose” needs to redeem herself against Jessica Andrade at UFC 251 if she wants to remain a contender. There might be a better move here logistically speaking when it comes to the division, but it’s tough to argue a case against trying to catch lightning in a bottle again like Zhang and Jedrzejczyk did so brilliantly at UFC 248.

Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes II/Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones should fight again, but money seems like an issue for the GOAT. Photo: AFP

Given the fact that Jones and Reyes are both Americans, this fight would most likely take place in the US, but it needs to be put on this list for one solitary reason: many believe Reyes beat Jones at UFC 247 in February. Jones did win a unanimous decision, but if you watch the fight again, it’s quite clear Reyes was the aggressor for most of the bout, and if they were to square off again, it would be tough not to favour him over “Bones” to come out on top.

Jones has been feuding with White for weeks now, apparently wanting “Deontay Wilder money” to fight Francis Ngannou at heavyweight. Sure, that would be a heck of a tilt too at Fight Island, but the UFC purists out there might rather watch Reyes get the rematch many think he’s earned than some random super bout.

Khabib Nurmagomedov/Justin Gaethje vs Conor McGregor

The question that needs answering first: can Khabib Nurmagomedov dispatch with Justin Gaethje? Photo: Zuffa LLC

This is the fight, after the fight, that everyone is waiting for. The narrative, which also involves Tony Ferguson, has been playing out for years. McGregor’s feud with Nurmagomedov is the stuff of legend, but Gaethje has inserted himself into the conversation via his convincing win over Ferguson at UFC 249. The lightweight division is one of the most compelling storylines right now and the UFC would be right to write another chapter or two in 2020.

McGregor and Nurmagomedov need to fight again, after all they’ve been through, and everything that has gone on since their legendary tilt at UFC 229, which is arguably the biggest UFC fight of all-time when it comes to exposure. A rematch would be a potential legacy bout for both, but this time around McGregor would be even more of an underdog, which could in turn, make for an even more tantalising showdown.

Dana White vs Dan Le Batard

Who doesn’t want to watch Dana White beat on Dan Le Batard? Photo: AP

Oh man, would this be a fun one to watch. Let’s stick to the facts and shy away from all the trash-talking going on – how bad would White manhandle Le Batard? The ESPN radio host just looks like someone that needs a good beating, a smug journalist who has been hiding behind a microphone his entire career, calling out everyone under the sun for decades.

Watching White beat on him for charity at Fight Island could headline a card if you ask me, this would be an absolute laugh fest. Even though Masvidal has offered to coach Le Batard – who I shall now nickname “Dad Bod” – there is no amount of training he could do to avoid being a walking punching bag for White. Sign me up, pencil this one in, a charity bout between two loudmouths could be the stunner of all stunners in 2020 at Fight Island.

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