Predicting Every UFC Champion in 2019

---

Women’s Featherweight

Incumbent champion: Amanda Nunes

Prediction: A rematch between Nunes and former champion Cristiane Justino comes together, with “Cyborg” being forced to sign a multi-fight contract in exchange for a shot at redemption. Nunes loses a decision and goes back down to 135-pounds. Justino closes out her MMA career by decimating Megan Anderson.

Explanation:Women’s 145-pounds has a grand total of three “natural” featherweights: Justino, who just lost after a 13-year unbeaten streak; Anderson, who won her first UFC bout over the weekend via toe-poke; and Leah Letson, who hails from the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter and has just six professional fights. As of Saturday, the weight class is ruled by a woman who spent the last seven years of her career at bantamweight and has obligations in two weight classes -- putting the future of the division into a state of uncertainty.

Given the promotion’s general reluctance to build its 145-pound division -- and White’s lack of interest in a Nunes-Cyborg rematch -- it’s possible that the UFC cuts its losses and shutters the weight class. But my bet is that this is just a ploy to leverage the former champion, who has only one fight left on her UFC deal, into signing an extension. A rematch is undoubtedly the biggest female fight to make right now, especially given the dearth of contenders at 135 pounds, and my bet is it comes together sooner rather than later.

As for the outcome? I suspect we’ll see a much more conservative approach from Justino, who takes a decision victory, leading to a rubber match later in the year, which she also wins.

Women’s Bantamweight

Incumbent champion: Amanda Nunes

Prediction: Nunes loses her 145-pound title in a rematch with “Cyborg,” leading to a rubber match, which she also loses. The bantamweight title isn’t defended at all in 2018, with Aspen Ladd making a solid case for a shot in early 2020.

Explanation: See above.

Read More » Women’s Flyweight