Daniel Cormier reveals the three fights he wants to see in 2023.
The UFC is back on our screens this weekend after having another incredible year. It feels like the days of watching numbered cards play out behind closed doors are finally behind us. Dana White and the UFC were able to put on 21 events with fans in attendance in 2022. This is the most they’ve managed since 2019. With numbered cards already planned for Rio, London, and Perth, it is no wonder why fans are already speculating on which fights they want to see.
Daniel Cormier Offers up Three of His Must-See Fights in the UFC in 2023
Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou
“I gotta see Jon Jones fight Francis Ngannou. I have to see him [Jon Jones] at heavyweight.”
The Jon Jones heavyweight talk started when he became the youngest UFC Champion in 2011. But his biggest leap to making fans believe he was serious about the move up was when he vacated the Light Heavyweight belt in 2020 after a controversial win over Dominick Reyes. Since then, there has been an endless cycle of speculation over the different dates that fans will get to see his return. But now fans believe 2023 will be the year we see Jon return as he looks to be the biggest we’ve ever seen him through social media posts documenting the bulk up to heavyweight, as seen below. Current rumours have him returning at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, with his opponent expected to be current heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou. As the former heavyweight champion, it is no doubt that Daniel Cormier will be watching this one.
Valentina Shevchenko vs Zhang Weili
“I know Zhang Weili just became the champ again, but i think I have to see her against Valentina Shevchenko. Because even though she hasn’t defended the belt, I believe that she’s the best.“
After losing the belt to Rose Namajunas in 2021 and coming up short in the rematch, Zhang Weili had a point to prove in 2022. She bounced back by obtaining two second-round finishes against game opponents. One was a real highlight knockout in a rematch against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in Singapore. And the other was against the champ Carla Esparza, which saw Weilis return to gold. So it is no surprise that DC is on the Weili train and believes a fight against an unbeatable Valentina Shevchenko would be one for the ages.
Khamzat Chimaev vs “One of the Top Three”
“I need to see him [Chimaev] vs either Edwards, Usman, or Covington because i thought we would of seen that already”
It’s not an understatement to say Khamzat Chimaev is in the vast majority of the most anticipated fights of 2023 amongst fight fans. Cormier is keen on a big fight at welterweight for “Borz”. However, after missing weight by 7.5 lbs, fans have been questioning whether we will see Khamzat make the welterweight limit (170 lbs) again. With Leon Edwards heavily rumoured to be fighting Kamaru Usman at the O2 in March, Colby seems the most likely opponent at 170 for Khamzat. This fight has previously had Dana White’s backing, with him saying, “I agree with you,” after The Mac Life suggested it should be the co-main to Edwards vs Usman at UFC 286.
Do you think we get to see any of these match-ups in 2023?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
