Written By: Tyson Rybak.
Each year, UFC’s International Fight Week is a treat for the fans. Every July, fans pack Las Vegas to take part in a week filled with fun UFC activities, including a fan expo, a triple-header of events topped off with an annually stacked pay-per view card, and more. This year, fans should expect things to be no different, however, we are stuck here wondering which fights the UFC can deliver to stack the deck for its July event.
In 2015, the later postponed Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor title fight was announced in late January as the International Fight Week headliner. Fast forward to 2016, the again, later postponed rematch for Nate Diaz vs. McGregor was set in mid-March. This year, we nearly enter April with no news of expected match-ups for the company’s marquee event. I think its time we brainstorm some possible fights for UFC 213.
Perhaps the best choice to headline the event would be the dateless Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre fight announced earlier this month. This being undoubtedly the most fan friendly fight the UFC has to offer at the moment, with Ronda Rousey drifting away from the sport, and Conor McGregor off pursuing other things. The company should expect no less than a sell out and a huge PPV drawing for Bisping/GSP given the attention the fight has already received.
The timing of the fight would be troubled however by St-Pierre’s intent to fight later in the year as he has expressed. With the event quickly approaching, it would be difficult to slot GSP in after taking nearly four years away from the sport. Given that St Pierre is a fighter who has traditionally taken all the time needed to prepare for the fight, it remains less than likely that he will be ready for July as time progresses. With this said, Bisping has expressed an interest in moving onto number one contender Yoel Romero should St Pierre not be ready to fight in July, as he announced on his podcast, ‘Believe You Me’. Due to the magnitude of the event Bisping/GSP would be, it is hard to tell if this is something Bisping is seriously considering or just gamesmanship in an attempt to force the Canadian to accept the fight, but only time will tell. All that said, a Michael Bisping fight of any sort could be something we may see announced for July very soon.
Another option for headlining the event would be UFC’s former light heavyweight champ, Jon “Bones” Jones. Despite his troubles and inactivity in the past couple years, Jones still stands as one of the most popular draws in the sport today. Last year, him and Daniel Cormier were set to main event the July card, UFC 200, after McGregor and Diaz were forced off the card. The biggest trouble with booking Jones as the main event would point to his withdrawal from UFC 200 days before the event after failing a drug test. With this still fresh in the minds of fans, it is difficult to trust the reliability of Jones as the main event of such a major card, and there is a possibility that this could hurt ticket sales.
Still, should other options be limited, booking Jones could be the best option to headline the card. And given that his suspension for the positive test ends days before the event, the timing is perfect. Now we ask: who could he face off against? The most attractive option would obviously be the winner of the Daniel Cormier vs Anthony Johnson title fight set to take place next weekend. Before even considering this, the UFC would need to wait to see how the fight pans out first, being that there is only three months separating the two events. Should Cormier or Johnson not be ready, other options are there for an opponent for the former champion. Jimi Manuwa is coming off an impressive knockout in his last outing, and would probably be the next best option for Jones if a title fight doesn’t work.
If we don’t see this, the other option for “Bones” could be taking a heavyweight fight, as he has teased in the past. A long list of heavyweights could be potential opponents, and most of them would sell tickets facing off against Jones. Either way you like it, having Jones as the main event for 213 would open many doors for opponents, many of which would draw big numbers.
A number of other fights are there for the taking if not Bisping or Jones. Bantamweight kingpin Cody Garbrandt is expected to take on TJ Dillashaw around this time of year. The two coached against one another in the newest edition of the Ultimate Fighter, so they would more likely fight the night before UFC 213 on the shows finale. If other main event options are slim, we may see the two rivals get booked on the PPV card instead. Cris Cyborg has also shown interest in taking on newly crowned Women’s Featherweight champ Germaine De Randamie. I would expect this fight to be used as a co-main event or filler fight for the pay-per view before I would see it as the headliner for such a major event. A fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Schevchenko for the Women’s Bantamweight title falls in a similar boat, and would likely not draw the numbers they would like for the International Fight Week card. With this said, if no other options are available, we may see one of these fights take the main event slot for the card.
Overall, so many champions and major draws being either unready or already booked poses a major hurdle for the promotion. The clock is ticking for the UFC to announce a main event for July, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these options announced to headline the card very soon.
