##MMA trades we want to see##

Who would've concept we'd be speaking approximately fable trades in MMA? With reviews of the approaching Demetrious Johnson-for-Ben Askren switch, this will doubtlessly cause comparable offers down the street.

Who might I need to deliver into the UFC? That's the easy one. Michael Chandler. Arguably the fine light-weight fighter inside the world to now not have competed inside the UFC. A two-time Bellator one hundred fifty five-pound champion and still very an awful lot in his prime. Although he's been Mr. Bellator, I'm certain he's got the itch to test his mettle in opposition to the likes of Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, Kevin Lee and the listing goes on and on. His vintage "fight of the year" rival Eddie Alvarez made the leap and became capable of combat his manner to UFC gold. Is Michael Chandler up there with the first-class of them? I'd simply like to discover.

So, who goes the opposite manner? Who has a previous fighter/promoter dating with Scott Coker and would not thoughts working with him once more? Alistair Overeem jumps off the page. He's already said that retirement is creeping up on him and is simply around the nook. Wouldn't it's amusing to see him pass on one more legends excursion with the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Rampage Jackson, Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop?

But wait, there may be extra.

I assume it'd be tough for Bellator to part approaches with Chandler, so you'd ought to sweeten the pot. You got to head -for-one due to the fact Chandler's worth it.

I'd additionally exchange Mark Hunt. He's got a lawsuit towards the UFC and has repeatedly expressed his frustrations with the agency. Probably fine to component ways. He's a person Coker would paintings properly with, and, just like with Overeem, I'm positive the "Super Samoan" would like the prospect at preventing some antique pals from his days in Pride.

Rosenstein: One of my preferred opponents to watch in MMA is Michael Chandler. He simply brings it whenever he enters the cage. And it's why I was a bit unhappy Chandler determined to re-sign with Bellator in advance this yr in place of join the UFC. Bellator overall has stepped forward its expertise degree recently, but its lightweight department pales in contrast to the UFC's. Chandler towards any of that top 10 (Kevin Lee? Justin Gaethje? Anthony Pettis?) could be instantaneous fireworks and allow him to show he ought to cling with the first-class inside the global.

In return for Chandler, Bellator would gain Cris Cyborg. Arguably the maximum dominant woman fighter ever, Cyborg will combat Amanda Nunes, the bantamweight champion, on the cease of December. But the relationship between Cyborg and the UFC through the years has been something however easy. The merchandising has had a tough time locating strong matchups (largely due to her size) and in my view ought to have marketed her better. Scott Coker has validated to be one of the maximum creative minds in the sport over time courting back to his time main Strikeforce. I think a clean begin in a new organisation should pay foremost dividends for Cyborg as she enters the later a part of her profession.

Wagenheim: CM Punk to Bellator for one of those machines that shoot sparks into the air at some point of a fighter walkout? Or maybe the UFC would alternatively have Royce Gracie despatched back in return, only for q4's twenty fifth-anniversary birthday celebration of the merchandising's landmark first occasion, which Royce won as a younger man of 26?

Slightly extra significantly, how about if the UFC holds off on its wheeling and dealing till New Year's Day, at which point it starts offevolved off 2019 fresh by means of buying and selling Cris "Cyborg" Justino to the Professional Fighters League for the two warring parties who most impress Dana White & Co. At the PFL's season finale on Dec. 31?

Cyborg can have simply notable-fought bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes in possibly the biggest fight inside the records of girls's MMA, however win or lose on Dec. 29, where does Justino go from there? The UFC sincerely has failed to gather a featherweight roster for her to dominate. So, just as the upcoming departure of Demetrious Johnson has fueled speculation that the UFC is about to shutter the men's flyweight department altogether, possibly it's time for the advertising to mention goodbye to the girls's 145-pound weight magnificence, as nicely.

The PFL doesn't have a roster of one hundred forty five-pounders, both, however it does have Kayla Harrison. The -time Olympic gold medal judoka has fought simply twice in MMA, both times at a hundred and fifty five kilos, but she's publicly set her points of interest on Cyborg and possibly by way of subsequent spring she'd be ready for that project. For Justino, this will be an opportunity to finally choose on a person her personal size.

What could the UFC receive in return? Its expertise evaluators could select from the various PFL playoff finalists in six weight training. At the quarterfinals and semifinals earlier this month, all-movement welterweight Ray Cooper III scored multiple first-round KOs and previous UFC mild heavyweight Vinny Magalhaes submitted two fighters, each in much less than 2 mins. Maybe a person else will shine on Dec. 31.

Murphy: I don't know if he's a better fit in a one-of-a-kind merchandising, however a person I've been itching to peer make the ONE-to-UFC soar is ONE bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes. He become an extended-timer on the short listing of global's exceptional bantamweights -- and nearly joined the UFC in 2012. At age 38, it is now or in no way to see in which the Brazilian jiu-jitsu whiz may stack up at a hundred thirty five.

The tea leaves advocate the UFC flyweight department days are numbered, so the promotion ought to change any contenders of notice to gather The Flash and add intensity behind Demetrious Johnson in ONE.

One different opportunity: the UFC remains the closing MMA proving ground, and also you never need to dilute weight classes. For the sake of this story, why now not alternate to Bellator the loser of Kevin Lee vs. Al Iaquinta? They're set to meet at the final UFC on FOX card in December, a fight wherein the loser might fall manner down the road of name contenders.


A exchange to Bellator -- perhaps for a prospect and cash considerations à la important league baseball -- might positioned Lee or Iaquinta one win from a 155 title shot there. The Bellator strap has confirmed value and could kick-start a profession with extensive time left.


To get him, UFC wishes to repay Bellator by using buying and selling champion for champion. Tyron Woodley is a large celebrity, however never appears to get the proper push via Dana White and is screaming to get the purple carpet treatment. Woodley would get that at Bellator, in which he might be part of what will be the pleasant welterweight strong in MMA, with the capacity of some PPV-kind fights against Rory MacDonald, Michael "Venom" Page and whoever wins Bellator's Welterweight Grand Prix.