6 Most Anticipated MMA Fights of 2015
Mixed martial arts is one of the only sports in the world that offers month-to-month action. No offseason, no lockouts, nothing.
Instead, MMA allows its fans to marvel in its unpredictability and unscripted madness 12 months out of the year.
Whether that perennial punishment is built around a championship rematch or an unprecedented return to the cage, fans can always count on seeing the best matchups available.
With that said, assuming the majority of these bouts actually come to fruition, here are the six most anticipated fights for 2015.
6. Octagon Returns
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Georges St-Pierre
For obvious reasons, a return for GSP would be monumental not only for the welterweight division, but for the UFC as a whole.
In a time when the organization is finding it difficult to market and financially expand with tenured champions like Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson, Jose Aldo and even Chris Weidman, the former welterweight kingpin would seamlessly win back some viewers.
As for the fights themselves, seeing one of the very best of all time take one more crack at the roster isn't a bad idea, either.
Junior Dos Santos
It's hard to believe that Dos Santos hasn't competed inside of the Octagon since he was destroyed at the hands of champion Cain Velasquez back in October 2013 at UFC 166.
While the former heavyweight titleholder was clearly outmatched by a man who previously beat him down for five more rounds, JDS is still the No. 2 heavyweight in the world today.
He's sort of in limbo because he just doesn't have what it takes to knock off Velasquez, but getting back a big knockout artist who draws even bigger is huge for the sport.
5. Ronda Rousey vs. Whoever
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Like her or not, UFC women's bantamweight queen Ronda Rousey is one of the sport's most popular fighters.
Besides her world-class talent and perfect finishing rate, the female assassin has taken to her public persona and spotlit stardom like no other. For that, any one of her fights should be anticipated.
With hordes of fans cheering for her to remain undefeated and even more onlookers rooting for her opposition, Rousey has the MMA world in the palm of her hand.
It's truly an event to watch every time the 27-year-old takes center stage.
4. Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler II
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In one of the more highly contested welterweight title fights in UFC history, current champion Johny Hendricks and top contender Robbie Lawler waged war for five straight frames back in March at UFC 171.
Landing a combined 308 total strikes on the heels of devastating back-and-forth exchanges, powerful uppercuts, swarming combinations and unwavering tenacity, the two heavy-handed dynamos produced one of the best fights of 2014.
Now scheduled to film the remake early next year, Hendricks vs. Lawler is on the cusp of becoming one of the more entertaining and worthwhile trilogies of all time.
Lawler just has to find a home for his right hand early, remain on his feet and feed his animal instinct to bring this rivalry to an epic Part 3.
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3. Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier
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Outside of their evolving hatred for one another, fueled by an on-stage brawl at UFC 178's media day in early August, Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier will be sure to deliver based on talent alone.
Never have we seen Jones encounter such a strong wrestler with the gas tank to not only sustain the champ's round-by-round punishment, but push the pace in the process.
Cormier is obviously much smaller and could very well have trouble when it comes to the reach and versatile striking of Jones, but considering he's used to sparring with heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez, DC may give Bones more than he can handle.
Set to defend his light heavyweight throne for a record eighth time, Jones will have to overcome his toughest test to date to secure the rematch that tops this list.
2. Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz
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Will Nick Diaz fight, or will he be suspended?
Will Anderson Silva rebound in fashion and prove to be the menacing force he once was atop the promotion's pound-for-pound rankings?
Can the two deliver one of the more technical striking matchups in years?
These are just a few of many questions that will hopefully be answered when, and I'm holding out saying if, former middleweight phenom Silva takes on perennial top contender Diaz.
The two have expressed mutual respect for one another, but when the cage door closes, we'll have two of the cockiest and most readily equipped strikers in promotional history duke it out until one anticipated return action is subsequently ruined.
Whether Silva's unorthodox techniques or Diaz's pinpoint boxing prevails has yet to be determined.
1. Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson II
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While Daniel Cormier may in fact pose a bigger threat to finally defeat the untouchable Jon Jones, this is the light heavyweight showdown we all want to see.
Alexander Gustafsson took Jones to the edge of the Octagon's event horizon back at UFC 165 only to see his hard work and pestering strikes go to waste following a controversial unanimous decision.
However, if anything was taken from that epic battle of natural guts and determination, it would have been Gustafsson's ability to cut off the champ's attacks with quick jabs, in-and-out combinations and an even-keeled reach.
If the UFC ever wanted a rematch of all rematches to promote and turn into the biggest rivalry in the sport since Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz, this is it.
Of course, Jones must first get through Cormier to make this dream reboot an undeniable reality.
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