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SportsJOE’s fantasy UFC 200 card: The fights that we want to see but probably won’t

Published 15:03 28 Mar 2016 BST

Updated 22:49 28 Mar 2016 BST

SportsJOE’s fantasy UFC 200 card: The fights that we want to see but probably won’t

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These fight cards are NOT going to happen.

But one can only hope and our two chief MMA writers have been dreaming of the bouts that could possibly take place on July 9. We did somewhat play by the rules by including the two bouts that have already been confirmed for UFC 200. We took into account the fighters who already have fights booked relatively close to the event which explains the distinct lack of Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Rory MacDonald. But other than that, anything goes. Darragh Murphy wants...

Main card:

Conor McGregor vs. Frankie Edgar (FW title) Conor McGregor has to play a part in the biggest UFC event in history, there is no question about that. What part he will play is still up in the air but if it's my fantasy card then I'm giving Frankie Edgar this fight all day long. Edgar doesn't have to do anything more to prove himself as the number one contender and McGregor does owe it to the division to go back down to defend his title. Robbie Lawler vs. Rafael dos Anjos (WW title) We haven't had a champion vs. champion fight in quite some time and bouts like this should be reserved for the most special of occasions. Robbie Lawler should realistically be on the card and I'm not too sold on a Carlos Condit rematch, nor a Tyron Woodley title shot. Why not see RDA go up and see how he fares at 170 lbs? This would be immense although I'd like to stress that this is what I would like to see happen, not what I think is likely to happen.

Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm II (BW title) I don't care if Ronda Rousey comes back. I want to see a repeat of the UFC 196 co-main event. Miesha Tate's comeback victory over Holly Holm earlier this month was one of my favourite individual performances of all time. I felt honoured to be in the arena to watch it live and want more than anything to see the rematch. Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz II Firas Zahabi said he might come back so in Fantasyland, GSP is definitely fighting at UFC 200. And what better way for the welterweight legend to mark his comeback than to take on a fighter making one of his own. GSP vs. Nick Diaz I, in 2013, wasn't exactly the classic it was supposed to be but, on the grandest stage of all, I want to see these legends go at it.

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Jose Aldo vs. Max Holloway Jose Aldo deserves to be at UFC 200 but I'm not sure the UFC can sell an immediate rematch with 'The Notorious.' Max Holloway should really get the chance to break out into a position where he is discussed in the title frame. Get these together and the winner fights the winner of the main event - simples. Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne Already confirmed, card placement TBD.

Prelims:

Cyborg vs. Amanda Nunes (catchweight if needs be) With more eyes on the UFC's women's bantamweight division than ever before, the UFC would have been remiss to miss out on the opportunity to bring Cristiane Justino into the fray. Luckily, they finally saw the error of their ways and set up a fight between 'Cyborg' and Leslie Smith at catchweight this May. I see nothing other than a victory for the Brazilian and would love to see her matched up with her fellow countrywoman with a short turnaround.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson Already confirmed, card placement TBD. Diego Sanchez vs. Joe Lauzon For my money, Diego Sanchez is the most entertaining fighter in the UFC. Get him in there against the bonus-machine known as Joe Lauzon and you've got the price of admission right there.

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BJ Penn vs. Takanori Gomi Nik Lentz won't take the fight but BJ Penn has to be at UFC 200. A fighter with a big enough name, big enough following and a fellow legend of the sport is Takanori Gomi. Plus Penn stands a solid chance of a comeback win.

Early prelims

Joe Duffy vs. Johnny Case The Poirier fight was too soon for Joe Duffy, admittedly, but that's not to say that the UFC should stop pushing him. Pop him in there against a fellow prospect who's also coming off a loss.

Paige VanZant vs. Aisling Daly This one is something of a no-brainer. Paige VanZant is still one of the bigger names at 115 lbs despite dropping that loss to Rose Namajunas in December and Aisling Daly will garner even more Irish interest in the card to ensure that the fans travel over in their droves. Get it booked and thank me later. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ben Kiely wants...

Main card:

Conor McGregor vs. Frankie Edgar (FW title) The Answer is right. The best way to prove all the doubters wrong is to defend your belt against the number-one contender. The welterweight clash against Diaz at UFC 196 didn't make much sense when it was booked and a rematch will have no bearing on the welterweight rankings. It would only serve to give the Notorious a do-over. Go on, give Frankie his shot. Jon Jones vs. Anthony Johnson (LHW title) The beauty of this fight is that it makes sense regardless of the outcome of Jones v Cormier II. Both Rumble and Bones have run out of top tier contenders to face, and they've yet to fight each other, so why not?

Georges St-Pierre vs. Nate Diaz GSP has nothing left to prove. I'd prefer not to see him fighting the murderers at the upper echelon of 170. Although I feel like he could beat the likes of Lawler and Woodley, why should he put himself in those wars at this stage of his career? He's explained at length that the pressure of being a champion was one of the main reasons why he walked away from the sport, so he should follow Anderson Silva's lead and go after the big-name non-title fights. Diaz has earned another huge payday after that stunning performance against UFC 196 too. Jose Aldo vs. Max Holloway It's the logical featherweight title eliminator to make, right?

Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne Already confirmed, card placement TBD. Cyborg vs. Cat Zingano After a couple of years of the women's bantamweight division looking like a one-horse race, we suddenly have three fighters at the top of the heap who look like they could be each other's kryptonite. Now that Cyborg has been thrown into the mix with a promotional debut against Leslie Smith, I'd love to see her matched up with Zingano, who has a win over the current champ. That, ladies and gents, is one stacked division.

Prelims:

Raphael Assuncao vs. Aljamain Sterling Assuming Dominick Cruz defeats Urijah Faber again, the bantamweight champion will need another name to defend his title against in his next trip to the Octagon. This should definitely prove who's the number-one contender in the division.

Jimi Manuwa vs. Ilir Latifi Two head-hunters with heavy hands, there are certainly worse options for a preliminary card bout. Dennis Bermudez vs. Doo Ho Choi Two fighters who could well be future champions of the featherweight division. Considering Tatsuya Kawajiri refuses to fight Choi, the Korean Superboy might as well take on the last guy to beat the Japanese fighter. Gegard Mousasi vs. Derek Brunson Already confirmed, card placement TBD.

Early Prelims:

Wilson Reis vs. Louis Smolka Two of the most underrated fighters in arguably the most underrated division in the UFC. Stylistically a very intriguing fight too. Smolka's reach advantage and excellent ground game means he'll cause problems for pretty much everyone at flyweight.

Joseph Duffy vs. Takanori Gomi Both are coming off losses and are extremely exciting to watch. Admittedly, my bias towards Duffy also wants to see him get a victory over a "name" in the sport. I think the Donegal native has the requisite skills to defeat the PRIDE legend.