More Trades the UFC Should Make After Swapping Demetrious Johnson and Ben Askren
The UFC can trade talent? That's a thing? Well, apparently.
If you missed the news, first reported by ESPN.com's Ariel Helwani, the UFC and One FC orchestrated a deal to exchange Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren. The benefits all four parties: the organizations and the fighters. But since it has come to light, everyone is wondering how this will affect the future.
Bellator President Scott Coker had his interest piqued as well. His tweet suggests he has some ideas.
Well, we have some ideas too.
If the UFC, and other organizations, can re-assign promotional rights willy-nilly, then there are plenty of options on the table that all parties could benefit from. The UFC has a roster filled with fighters it can offer up to get a favorable return. And other organizations would benefit from having UFC-caliber contenders enter their ranks.
Steven Rondina and Nathan McCarter team up to give you six trades that could be executed right now to add a little more spice to the MMA world.
CM Punk for Brock Lesnar
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What the UFC Gets
While it seemed certain that the UFC had Brock Lensar locked down after WrestleMania 34, WWE has managed to keep him around. He wrestled at the Greatest Royal Rumble in April, came back again in August for SummerSlam and will do another match in November at Crown Jewel.
Lesnar still seems to be on his way out the door, but there is some doubt there. Brokering a trade would be a great way to seal things up.
What the WWE Gets
The UFC's CM Punk experiment was an overwhelming failure. Not only does the former WWE champ stand as one of the worst fighters to ever step into the Octagon, but the numbers suggest he isn't all that much of a draw, either. The UFC would probably like to be rid of Punk. So why not put him back where they found him?
The WWE is swimming in cash, courtesy of its new TV deals, and while Punk has a downright ugly relationship with the organization, money cures almost everything. His days as a full-timer are over, but the WWE could probably empty its purse to get Punk back in the ring two or three times per year.
—Rondina
Demian Maia & Anthony Pettis for a PFL Trio
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What the UFC Gets
The UFC gains three new pieces for two of their deeper divisions. The additions of Ray Cooper III, Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Lance Palmer would give added depth and more top-level fighters.
Cooper and Nurmagomedov go into the packed welterweight pool. Khabib's cousin was involved in the post-fight melee at UFC 229, which makes him marketable right away. Cooper has been on a nice run, scoring two recent victories against Jake Shields.
Palmer may be the best addition of the group—a talented grappler to throw into a featherweight division that needs something new.
It's a net positive for what they would give up in return.
What the Professional Fighters League Gets
So what would the UFC give up? How about Demian Maia and Anthony Pettis.
Maia may be ageing and Pettis may continue to show he's not going to contend for a belt again, but that is exactly why the UFC should offer them up. And the PFL would get two notable names who would instantly bolster its roster.
The PFL needs recognizable faces. Maia and Pettis still have tread on the tires. They just aren't UFC title contenders. They are threats to win any tournament or belt in the PFL. And since both are in the top 10 of their respective divisions, the PFL could proclaim it boasts two of the best in the world.
It would help the PFL's growth to make the trade.
—McCarter
Teruto Ishihara for Daron Cruickshank
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What the UFC Gets
Daron Cruickshank was a fun guy to watch in the UFC, but since joining up with Japan's Rizin FF in 2016, he has cemented himself as one of the most exciting men in the business.
Is he championship material? Is he a big draw? Not really. But he's guaranteed action in the way few are, and the UFC needs more fighters like that.
What Rizin Gets
The UFC is awful at promoting fighters at the local level, and this is especially true for imported talent. Rizin, however, has consistently made Japanese ex-UFC fighters like Takanori Gomi, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Kyoji Horiguchi feel like rockstars. Teruto Ishihara could easily join that fold.
Yashabo has fallen on hard times of late, going 1-4 in his past five fights, but he is still an entertaining character with a fan-friendly style. Rizin would be the perfect place for him to rebuild his in-ring legitimacy and spread his wings as one of MMA's quirkiest personalities.
—Rondina
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Jacare Souza & Leon Edwards for Tomasz Narkun
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What the UFC Gets
Yes, to some of you this may look like an uneven trade. Lose Jacare Souza and the up-and-coming Leon Edwards for a relatively unknown light heavyweight? But there are good reasons behind the switch.
Jacare is over the hill and never going to be a factor for the middleweight belt. As for Edwards, the UFC will need to sacrifice a key European player to make it enticing enough for KSW to agree to let its light heavyweight champion go. But why make a big play for Tomasz Narkun?
The 205-pound division in the UFC used to be its bell cow. Now, it's downright awful. It needs quality talent. Narkun is just that.
Narkun gives the UFC a light heavyweight who can contend immediately. And it is a piece the promotion may desperately need if Jon Jones returns to dominant form. There are only so many rematches for him. The UFC may give up a welterweight in Edwards, but it has plenty to spare. President Dana White needs the bodies at light heavyweight.
What KSW Gets
Jacare may be over the hill, but KSW would still get a fun grappler that can fit its billing. Edwards is the real deal for the promotion. He is an instant title contender for its welterweight crown.
Moreover, Edwards is a marketable fighter. He would be a big get for the European audience.
Losing its light heavyweight champion may hurt, but it's just a minor boo-boo after receiving Edwards. It's a net positive. KSW puts on some of the best shows from a production perspective, and with the likes of Jacare and Edwards, it can begin to structure 2019 events around them.
More fans would be willing to check the promotion out.
—McCarter
Nick Diaz for Fedor Emelianenko
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What the UFC Gets
Fedor Emelianenko is the one that got away for the UFC. The Last Emperor is easily the greatest heavyweight in the history of MMA and is regarded by many as the best fighter of all time. That reputation, and the fact that he built it without ever stepping into the Octagon, has long irked White.
For 10 years, the two sides have run on parallel paths. Now is the perfect time for them to come together. With Fedor on an upswing in Bellator and the UFC still looking for name-brand fighters to promote, the Russian still has a lot to offer.
What Bellator Gets
White doesn't know how to handle Nick Diaz. Bellator counterpart Coker does. The two had a strong relationship in Strikeforce, and while Diaz forced his way out for greener pastures in the Octagon, his time in the UFC quickly ran its course.
The super-popular fighter would be an excellent plug-and-play option for today's Bellator, which has a strong new backer in DAZN. There are plenty of interesting fights out there for him too, with Bellator boasting a deep welterweight division.
—Rondina
Nate Diaz for Michael Page
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What the UFC Gets
Given the previous Fedor-for-Diaz trade, the UFC may as well ship off the other brother. Nate Diaz is constantly outspoken and can be a headache for the UFC brass. Ridding itself of him for a premier welterweight makes a lot of sense.
Michael "Venom" Page would be an instant star in the ranks of the UFC's stacked welterweight division, and that division needs his personality. It is dominated by talented grapplers. Page is a perfect fit to get fans excited about striking.
There are also middleweight opportunities that would ignite fervor, such as a potential bout against Israel Adesanya.
Diaz is a draw, but his displeasure would only grow if Nick were traded away. The UFC may as well get something of value in return.
What Bellator Gets
Bellator would lose a star in MVP, but it would get a more valuable one in return.
Coker has a history with the Diaz brothers, and there is a good working relationship. That would allow Diaz to fight more often, allowing Bellator to reap bigger rewards.
Diaz would instantly be Bellator's most bankable athlete. Put him in the main event slot with budding stars such as Aaron Pico, and it is a recipe to generate greater interest in the brand. Diaz is still a top lightweight as well. The promotion isn't getting a lesser fighter in return. This is possibly the most mutually beneficial swap available.
—McCarter
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