The 10 Best Fights to Close Out 2016
We are in the final quarter of 2016, and the UFC schedule is bananas. Or, as the kids like to say these days, lit.
It's so lit, in fact, that while choosing the top 10 fights remaining on the schedule, we left several title fights off the list. You won't see Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson or the rematch between Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson here. Those two exceptional fights, among many others, simply couldn't crack the top 10.
This is how 2016 is going to finish—with incredible fight after incredible fight during a two-month span.
In the final two months, the UFC will bring 10 live events to your television screen in one form or another, and almost every event offers a slate of exciting bouts. We are about to embark on a thrilling ride, and these are the best of the best.
Let's jump right into the 10 best fights before the calendar turns to 2017.
10. Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Michael Johnson
1 of 10
UFC 205, November 12 (New York City)
Stylistically, this fight has a chance to be dull. Fair warning. However, it also has the chance to be entertaining while telling us a lot about both men.
Nurmagomedov returned from a nearly two-year long layoff in April, beat an overmatched opponent in Darrell Horcher and hasn't fought since. He looked like the old Khabib, but there is little way of knowing how true that is based on the level of competition.
We'll know at UFC 205, though. Johnson is an elite lightweight and looked sensational in his last outing against Dustin Poirier.
What also elevates this fight's status are Johnson's wrestling and athleticism. Nurmagomedov may have a more difficult time with his takedowns. If that forces him to stand and exchange against the lightning-quick hands of Johnson, we may be in for something special.
There's a lot of intrigue here between the clash of styles.
9. Luke Rockhold vs. Jacare Souza
2 of 10
UFC Fight Night 101, November 27 (Melbourne, Australia)
Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza met in 2011 for the first time, and the time has come to run it back.
Rockhold won his first major championship on that date in Cincinnati by way of unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47). The rematch should exceed the initial meeting.
Both Rockhold and Jacare have improved since that date. Rockhold has even achieved the highest honor in the sport by becoming the UFC champion, but he subsequently lost the strap to Michael Bisping. Jacare has been performing his best as well by going 6-1 during his UFC tenure. His sole loss was a contentious decision to Yoel Romero.
This, in effect, is a title eliminator and a stellar matchup.
It is going to be an amazing clash to see who has improved the most and who steps in with the best game plan.
8. Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero
3 of 10
UFC 205, November 12 (New York City)
You want high-level MMA? You are going to get it with this middleweight throwdown.
Chris Weidman dethroned the king in Anderson Silva but then lost his crown in 2015. Yoel Romero is an elite wrestler who has taken his superior athletic ability and transformed himself into a title contender.
Weidman's wrestling and jiu-jitsu carried him to the top, but utilizing that against Romero will be a difficult task. Not even Jacare could submit the man. Likewise, Romero has never faced such a well-rounded opponent before.
The winner could be in line for a title shot, but don't expect the UFC to grant one immediately. Furthermore, don't get bogged down in that discussion. Just enjoy two of the best in the division square off against each other. That's enough.
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7. Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi
4 of 10
UFC 206, December 10 (Toronto)
Sure, I said you wouldn't see Cormier vs. Rumble on this list, but UFC 206 isn't getting shut out. The matchup between Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi is bonkers.
Swanson has long been a fan favorite due to his fighting style. He looked good in his last two outings in 2016. Staying active, he takes his next fight against one of the hottest up-and-coming featherweights going today.
Choi is electric.
The Korean Superboy may be Asia's best bet at having a UFC titleholder. He has that high of a ceiling. He is 15-1 overall and 3-0 in the UFC. All three wins came via first-round knockout. Keeping that going against Swanson would be a major statement.
This is a popcorn fight with major implications in the stacked featherweight division. Do not miss it.
6. Robert Whittaker vs. Derek Brunson
5 of 10
UFC Fight Night 101, November 27 (Melbourne)
We have already touched on the main event, but it's the co-main event that really stands out.
Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson have been sensational as of late, and the two are meeting at the right time. The winner should be just a fight away from a title tilt, and the loser will not fall too far down the rankings.
Whittaker has been on fire since stepping up from welterweight. His boxing has shined, and his striking style fits into MMA well. Brunson has been even more impressive by going 7-1 in his UFC tenure, with the lone loss being a controversial fight against Romero.
Brunson may want to utilize his grappling more against Whittaker, but even if he doesn't, it should be a fantastic scrap on the feet.
5. Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson
6 of 10
UFC Fight Night 98, November 5 (Mexico City)
The lightweight division has always been deep and exciting, but with UFC 205 on the horizon, it is even more intriguing. Even with that event coming up, don't sleep on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3 Finale with Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson as the main event.
This may well determine who fights the winner of UFC 205's 155-pound title bout.
More than that, it's an outstanding fight.
Ferguson is one of the most exciting fighters in the organization, while Dos Anjos is coming off a loss, dropping the title to Eddie Alvarez. Dos Anjos will be seeking to return in style to get the fight he missed out on against the Irish megastar, Conor McGregor.
This is the main event the UFC will return to Mexico with, and it's a dandy.
4. Ronda Rousey vs. Amanda Nunes
7 of 10
UFC 207, December 30 (Las Vegas)
This fight doesn't just clock into the top five because it's Ronda Rousey's return to action. No, it finds a spot in the top five because it's a great matchup with a lot of intrigue.
Rousey has not fought since Holly Holm dropped her like a sack of potatoes, and in her absence Amanda Nunes has claimed the throne.
Nunes poses several risks to Rousey—not the least of which is her powerful striking. Her grappling is excellent as well. Nunes handled the stage of UFC 200 like she had main evented bigger events before. She was calm and composed and destroyed Miesha Tate.
Rousey still has deficiencies with her striking, but Nunes' pressure game may allow her to get back to what she does best.
Both women have holes in their game that the other can exploit. What happens first? That's the question—one that is difficult to answer. And that is why this fight should raise goosebumps up and down your arm.
3. Paige VanZant vs. Michelle Waterson
8 of 10
UFC on Fox 22, December 17 (Sacramento, California)
About one week before Christmas, the UFC will treat the MMA universe to an amazing strawweight clash.
Rising star Paige VanZant headlines UFC on Fox 22 against former Invicta FC atomweight champion Michelle Waterson.
PVZ isn't just a figurehead of the division; she is a legitimate prospect who continues to develop. Waterson is a more polished veteran, but she will be undersized against VanZant. Even still, the stylistic matchup poses issues for the young gun.
Waterson's kicking attacks, movement and speed may prevent VanZant from crowding her and grappling. That is what she does best, and taking that away from her will force VanZant to fight Waterson's style of fight at range.
VanZant showed off some flashy kicks against Bec Rawlings, but if you are searching for flash as well as substance, then prepare for what Waterson will bring to the table. This is an exciting matchup even though no title is up for grabs.
2. Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
9 of 10
UFC 205, November 12 (New York City)
Here we are, folks: strawweight supremacy at hand between two Polish strikers.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk continues to grab fan interest with her trash talk and insane striking technique. She is the total package: a violent, 115-pound terror in the Octagon.
Standing opposite her is another violent strawweight, but one much more reserved. Karolina Kowalkiewicz is mild-mannered and gracious...until the referee signals for the fight to start. Then she flips the switch and enjoys giving out punishment one fist, elbow and knee at a time.
The key to this fight will be if Kowalkiewicz can get into the clinch to take away Jedrzejczyk's speed advantage from the outside. If not, the champion will eat her up with quick jabs and combinations. However, if the challenger can get inside, then her strength from the clinch may serve her well enough to score on the scorecards.
Also, Kowalkiewicz has an underrated ground game. Jedrzejczyk is improving there as well and recently made a move to American Top Team. This fight will be interesting even if it hits the turf. It won't be a slog on the mat.
This is a rightful co-main event on the biggest card in UFC history. This fight is going to be incredible.
1. Eddie Alvarez vs. Conor McGregor
10 of 10
UFC 205, November 12 (New York City)
There wasn't another option to top this list. No matter what you think, this is the best fight on the docket.
An incredible stylistic matchup. A title on the line. History hanging in the balance. A true superstar. This bout is worthy of all the accolades it is getting, and every fight fan will be waiting for it with bated breath.
Conor McGregor has a chance to become the first champion with two simultaneous titles in UFC history. And it's not out of the realm of possibility. Not only is he not undersized, but Alvarez is the type of fighter he could excel against.
Alvarez enjoys slugfests. See his fights against Gilbert Melendez, Michael Chandler, Donald Cerrone and Pat Curran. He gets wild and can get caught.
The lightweight champion gets his shot at glory as well. Years and years of competition outside of the UFC put his name on the map for hardcore fans, and now he is headlining the biggest card ever. Everyone will know who he is, and how he competes will help shape his legacy.
This fight has everything: McGregor vs. Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship.
It's less than one month away. It's time to get hyped.
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