Top 10 Hopes For MMA in 2020
Say what you want about MMA in 2019 but it was a really successful year. The UFC did fantastic, One Championship had its biggest year and popularity is still growing, Bellator had regular events throughout the year and the PFL took place and gave out millions of dollars. 2020 is already shaping up to be a great year for MMA but what do Josh and Jack hope to see in the new year? Well, it’s time to find out.
Josh’s 1st Point: ONE Championship Signs More Big Names
Josh: ONE Championship gained a lot of new eyes to the product in 2019 and part of the reason is the signings of Demetrious Johnson, Eddie Alvarez and Meisha Tate who wouldn’t compete but instead become a Vice President. The company also signed Sage Northcutt & John Lineker later in the year and these signings boosted the popularity of ONE. ONE is getting interesting and they should keep signing more popular names that aren’t with the UFC anymore like Mark Hunt or somebody like Renan Barao. Hunt especially would be very exciting to see how he gets on in a new environment like ONE.
Jack: In all honesty I disagree with this point, I would prefer if all the big names were in the UFC as it makes it much easier to compare fighters and also easier to watch big fights. For years we had to wait to see how Ben Askren would do in the UFC but if he wasn’t in One Championship then the years of hype would have never happened.
Jack: In all honesty I disagree with this point, I would prefer if all the big names were in the UFC as it makes it much easier to compare fighters and also easier to watch big fights. For years we had to wait to see how Ben Askren would do in the UFC but if he wasn’t in One Championship then the years of hype would have never happened.
Jack’s 1st Point: Jon Jones Loses
Jack: The light heavyweight division is dead in the water - the only thing keeping it slightly interesting is awaiting for someone to finally beat Jon Jones. This would cause shockwaves throughout the entire UFC and gain much needed attraction to the division as right now it is not much better than the flyweight division.
Josh: I disagree when you say the light heavyweight division is dead - it’s not. Is it slightly stale? Sure. But to say it’s dead is a bit of an over exaggeration, they’ve got contenders like Anderson, Blachowicz, Smith, Santos and people slightly below that like Walker, Rakic and Oezdemir. The division isn’t dead but a shake up would be nice. I’d like to see either Jones losing like you say or he moves up. If he beats Reyes then move up however if Reyes wins, take the rematch. Jon Jones losing would be entertaining for sure, but I just want to see him do something else and heavyweight is where it should be.
Josh: I disagree when you say the light heavyweight division is dead - it’s not. Is it slightly stale? Sure. But to say it’s dead is a bit of an over exaggeration, they’ve got contenders like Anderson, Blachowicz, Smith, Santos and people slightly below that like Walker, Rakic and Oezdemir. The division isn’t dead but a shake up would be nice. I’d like to see either Jones losing like you say or he moves up. If he beats Reyes then move up however if Reyes wins, take the rematch. Jon Jones losing would be entertaining for sure, but I just want to see him do something else and heavyweight is where it should be.
Josh’s 2nd Point: Bellator To Be Taken More Seriously
Josh: For some time, Bellator has been the laughing stock of the MMA community and I don’t see why. Sure, they may have older fighters but they also have fantastic fighters with a lot of potential. Take Douglas Lima for example, Lima is a fantastic fighter and one of the best welterweights in the world. I’d like Bellator to be more consistent as it is streamed on like nine different platforms and when it’s on, I don’t know whether I’m supposed to watch it on the Bellator app, DAZN, my local television provider. They should stick to one and only one. Also, MMA media should cover the promotion more and that’s something we’re going to do in 2020.
Jack: Again, I disagree with this point - I feel like Bellator is a company that operates on has beens and big names so I’m actually surprised the business is still operating. However, if Bellator have a complete revamp then I would be open to it being taken more seriously.
Jack: Again, I disagree with this point - I feel like Bellator is a company that operates on has beens and big names so I’m actually surprised the business is still operating. However, if Bellator have a complete revamp then I would be open to it being taken more seriously.
Jack’s 2nd Point: Jorge Masvidal Money Fights
Jack: Jorge Masvidal set the UFC alight in 2019 and is now officially a “big name” however in my opinion he is not anywhere near as good as Kamaru Usman so I feel he just carry on fighting other big names like MacGregor or Nick Diaz. These are genuinely interesting fights and the press conferences would be a great watch. Jorge Masvidal should go for money fights not title fights but please stay away from Canelo Alvarez.
Josh: Jorge Masvidal has had a mega 2019 but can he carry that momentum into 2020? We know he’s beatable, and if he fought Usman then I’d edge Usman however if he fought Nick Diaz then I’d say Masvidal wins. A McGregor fight would be massive and despite not being too much of a McGregor fan - I’d favour Conor winning that fight. And as for the fight, it’s a no from me.
Josh: Jorge Masvidal has had a mega 2019 but can he carry that momentum into 2020? We know he’s beatable, and if he fought Usman then I’d edge Usman however if he fought Nick Diaz then I’d say Masvidal wins. A McGregor fight would be massive and despite not being too much of a McGregor fan - I’d favour Conor winning that fight. And as for the fight, it’s a no from me.
Josh’s 3rd Point: More Crossover Fights
Josh: The UFC claim to have ‘the best talent in the world’ but in 2020 I want to see them prove it. We’ve already saw Bellator and RIZIN co-promote an event, now it’s the UFC’s turn to get involved and really test their best against Bellator’s best or Rizin’s best. Besides, working with other promotions would benefit both parties - the other companies get to work with the biggest MMA organisation in the world and UFC could strike a potential fight pass deal with them. This would be very exciting and something I want to see in 2020.
Jack: Unfortunately I disagree with this again. UFC are the biggest MMA company in the world so they are already at the top with nothing to gain from crossover fights however they would have quite a lot to lose and other companies would gain attraction and the UFC would have stiff competition.
Jack: Unfortunately I disagree with this again. UFC are the biggest MMA company in the world so they are already at the top with nothing to gain from crossover fights however they would have quite a lot to lose and other companies would gain attraction and the UFC would have stiff competition.
Jack’s 3rd Point: More Shocking Moments
Jack: As obvious as it is, I want more shock moments in 2020 that make leave watching fights not wanting to miss the next card. Moments like these create memories and careers - just look at what that flying knee done for Jorge Masvidal. So more knockouts, taunting and trash talking would make the UFC as interesting as ever.
Josh: I like shocking moments. I like to go on twitter and read a headline I wasn’t expecting like “BREAKING NEWS: UFC 244 is set to be headlined by Jorge Masvidal Vs. Nate Diaz” - that was good. I like to see surprises and I think we’ll gets good couple in not only the UFC but the whole MMA.
Josh: I like shocking moments. I like to go on twitter and read a headline I wasn’t expecting like “BREAKING NEWS: UFC 244 is set to be headlined by Jorge Masvidal Vs. Nate Diaz” - that was good. I like to see surprises and I think we’ll gets good couple in not only the UFC but the whole MMA.
Josh’s 4th Point: Miocic/Cormier III
Josh: This fight would determine the greatest heavyweight in MMA history. Cormier won the first one by TKO in the first round and a year later, the two rematched with Miocic winning by TKO in the fourth round. A third fight has to happen between the two a it literally would determine the best heavyweight to ever step inside the octagon and I really do hope it happens.
Jack: Finally I agree, Cormier Vs Miocic needs to happen for the last time to end the trilogy. I believe this will happen anyway but I would like to see a Cormier win and let the man retire in happiness after what has been a great career.
Jack: Finally I agree, Cormier Vs Miocic needs to happen for the last time to end the trilogy. I believe this will happen anyway but I would like to see a Cormier win and let the man retire in happiness after what has been a great career.
Jack’s 4th Point: A New Star Emerges
Jack: I really want to see the next big global superstar to fill Conor's boots, he is just about to have his first fight in 15 months and there’s genuinely no guarantee he will even win that match. We need a new superstar in the octagon and on the microphone that will attract new fans to the UFC.
Josh: I think the next star emerging will be The Korean Zombie. He missed a big portion of his prime and I think he can be featherweight champion, he could’ve been featherweight champion. If Chang Sung Jung fought more, he would be a star. The man’s really good and he’s a excellent fighter.
Josh: I think the next star emerging will be The Korean Zombie. He missed a big portion of his prime and I think he can be featherweight champion, he could’ve been featherweight champion. If Chang Sung Jung fought more, he would be a star. The man’s really good and he’s a excellent fighter.
Josh’s 5th Point: UFC Recovers The Flyweight Division
Josh: The flyweight division in the UFC has never been their most talked about division but it can be really entertaining. I’ve saw some incredible flyweight fights and in other promotions, their flyweight division is fantastic. For instance, I can’t wait to see Adriano Moraes defend his ONE flyweight title against Demetrious Johnson in 2020 - this is because ONE actually does a good job at promoting their flyweight fighters. If the UFC promoted the flyweight division correctly, then it can be talked about and they’ve got an opportunity when Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo fight for the vacant flyweight title - talk about the fight when it’s coming up.
Jack: I agree, I believe the flyweight division is no worse than the light heavyweight division which is still getting promoted heavily despite a lack of strong competition for Jon Jones. Therefore, there is no reason for the flyweight division not to come back and be stronger than ever.
Jack: I agree, I believe the flyweight division is no worse than the light heavyweight division which is still getting promoted heavily despite a lack of strong competition for Jon Jones. Therefore, there is no reason for the flyweight division not to come back and be stronger than ever.
Jack’s 5th Point: Khabib Vs. Ferguson Finally Happens
Jack: I understand this fight is booked but it is booked for the fifth time now and I don’t care what Dana has to do to get the fight to happen whether it’s wrap them in bubble wrap I don’t know but this needs to happen. Without doubt Tony is the most interesting fight for Khabib due to the clash in styles but it would be intriguing to see the fight unfold.
Josh: How could I disagree with this?! I’ve been pulling for this fight for ages now and is finally going to happen - fingers crossed. Khabib and Ferguson will be a fantastic fight on paper and hopefully it lives up to the hype. I pray this happens.
Josh: How could I disagree with this?! I’ve been pulling for this fight for ages now and is finally going to happen - fingers crossed. Khabib and Ferguson will be a fantastic fight on paper and hopefully it lives up to the hype. I pray this happens.
