Top 3 fights you want to see most in 2018, and who do you think will win?

[MovinOn]

They don't have to be official fights, although they could be. What 3 match-ups, or prospects for a great fight, are you most excited about this year? And who would be your pick to prevail in each?

For me:

1) Stipe vs. Ngannou, right off the hop. Better not be any training injuries. I'm pumped for this one. I'm going with Ngannou by TKO.

2) Gimme Conor vs. Khabib (even if Khabib has to go through Ferguson first). I'd happily settle for Conor vs. GSP, which is the biggest money fight in MMA, but who knows if that will ever happen. I'd take Khabib or GSP to beat McGregor.

3) Whittaker/Rockhold is a fantastic title fight and a tough call. Whittaker is coming off the knee injury. Rockhold didn't look good in the early going vs. Branch but then settled in. I favor Whittaker, but just barely.

 

[MMAHAWK]

Fedor vs Mitrione 2 in Tournament Final always pick Fedor
Khabib vs Conor Khabib by mauling
TJ vs DJ Toss up for me

 

[MovinOn]

Im'ma sneak in here with an honorable mention: Douglas Lima vs. Rory MacDonald intrigues me. I'll be damned if I can pick a winner there.

 

[sparkuri]

Well, hopefully it's Fedor 1,2, & 3.

Really hard to pick 3...

Fedor/Mir
Vitor/Hall
Lima/Mcdonald

I won't jinx the first two.
I think Lima handles Rory in a classic.

Tied for fourth has got to be Chandler/Goiti & Ngannou/Miocic.
Of those, I'm picking Chandler in a close great fight, and Ngannou by KO.
I can see Goiti with the upset by a quickly implemented surprise sub, like Fedor Werdum.

 

[CLINTK9]

fights signed:

stipe/francis
fedor/mir
minakov/kharitonov

honorable mention: rockhold/whitaker, sonnen/jackson

hoping to see:

2nd & 3rd fedor fights
mousasi vs anyone
lesnar vs anyone
nick diaz vs anyone
conor vs gsp,khabib,diaz 3
rousey vs carano
anderson vs gsp or shogun
belfort vs shogun & machida fights

 

[sparkuri]

fights signed:

stipe/francis
fedor/mir
minakov/kharitonov

honorable mention: rockhold/whitaker, sonnen/jackson

hoping to see:

2nd & 3rd fedor fights
mousasi vs anyone
lesnar vs anyone
nick diaz vs anyone
conor vs gsp,khabib,diaz 3
rousey vs carano
anderson vs gsp or shogun
belfort vs shogun & machida fights

TOTALLY forgot about Minakov/Kharitinov.

OK, that's my #3

Also, Schlemenko deserves a hematch with Mousasi.

 

[La Paix]

Derrek Lewis vs Ben Rothwell. This would be a good match up with the potential to end quickly but I'd put my money on Big Ben due to experience and a better grappling game

Tony Ferguson vs McGregor. I think Tony is the worst match up for Conor besides maybe Nate. He's long with decent striking, solid chin, good cardio and has a killer ground game. Not saying it's a lock by any means but again, my money is on Tony if this happens relatively soon.

Rockhold vs Whittaker. These are the 2 best MWs currently fighting in the UFC (thinking of you @Mousasi). Luke is a beast but he looked pretty hittable in his last fight, hopefully that's due to a lay off. Whittaker is also great but I haven't seen much of his BJJ skillz so tough to say if he could defend himself if it went to the mat.

 

[Mad Dog]

Some good choices in the thread so far.

Stipe vs. Ngannou - Because somebody is going out in a body bag.
Conor vs. Tony - I want to see how Conor will handle Tony's crazy style. I want to see how Tony will deal with Conor's heat seeking missile left hand.
Whittaker/Rockhold - Two top of the food chain MWs in their prime. What's not to like?

 

[ECC170]

Gaethje vs Lee- gaethje by pressure that busts lees pipes..He wilts inside 2

Ngannou vs Stipe-ngannou via round 2 No

Gsp vs Woodley-gsp beats him down and finishes him in the 4th