MMA Fights to Look Forward to in January 2019

MMA Fights to Look Forward to in January 2019
December 25, 2018
By Ryan Porzl

Note that at the time I release these, the full card of certain events have not been released so there may be other fights I would recommend but aren't announced until after I complete this. Also, card subject to change.



Henry Cejudo vs. TJ Dillashaw (UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, 1/19/19)- For the UFC Flyweight Championship. Cejudo is riding a three fight win streak with his recent win being over Demetrious Johnson by split decision at UFC 227 on August 4th. Dillashaw is riding a four fight win streak with his recent win being over Cody Garbrandt by TKO at UFC 227 on August 4th. Normally, I wouldn't put this here cause I don't think Dillashaw has done enough for a title shot but with the uncertainty of the flyweight division you might as well catch this because it could be the final UFC Flyweight Championship fight. Both fighters can also bring it and it should be a fun fight to watch. Both have a lot going here as Cejudo is coming off winning the title and getting the biggest win of his career ending the six year title reign of Demetrious Johnson. After all that, he wouldn't want to follow up with a loss especially his first defense especially after winning on a split decision. Cejudo would love to show he's not a paper champion. As for Dillashaw, he's been lobbying for a flyweight title fight for months and now, he's getting what he wants so it obviously doesn't look good if he loses. Plus, a loss for Dillashaw could lead to Cejudo arguing for a shot at his bantamweight title.

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Ryan Bader (Bellator 214, 1/26/19)- This is the finals of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix and for the vacant Bellator Heavyweight Championship. Emelianenko is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Chael Sonnen by TKO at Bellator 208 on October 13th. Bader is riding a six fight win streak with his recent win being over Matt Mitrione by unanimous decision at Bellator 207 on October 12th. April 4, 2014. That was the day Bellator had their most recent heavyweight championship fight as Vitaly Minakov successfully retained against Cheick Kongo. From there, failed contract negotiations saw Minakov disappear from Bellator and the title went dormant until now. After five years, Bellator will once again have a heavyweight champion so this alone makes it worth it along with the fact that this is the finals of the heavyweight grand prix so the winner gains quite a bit. There's more on the line here. Long considered the greatest fighter of all time or at least the greatest heavyweight of all time, Fedor Emelianenko gets the chance to do what he hasn't in ten years which is compete for a heavyweight championship. With this win, Fedor pretty much confirms he is MMA's greatest heavyweight as this would mark his third heavyweight championship after PRIDE and WAMMA while also being his second grand prix having won PRIDE's in 2004. Many questioned Fedor coming back in 2015 after a three year retirement and while the road has been bumpy, he's finally putting it together again this year entering this grand prix and adding two good names to his hit list in Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen. While losing the finals of a grand prix isn't the end of the world, a win would make the comeback all the more worth it and be considered one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history. Bader also has a lot going in as he's undefeated in Bellator and things couldn't be better as he's the light heavyweight champion and other than his close win over Davis for the championship, he's been steamrolling through opponents having his way with Linton Vassell and Matt Mitrione while demolishing King Mo. A win over the legendary Last Emperor would be the biggest win of Bader's career. Best of all, with Rory MacDonald having come up short against Gegard Mousasi in September, Bader has the chance to become the first in Bellator history to hold two championships simultaneously with a win. Again, a loss isn't the end of the world but it would hurt Bader to come up short in the biggest fight of his career and when he's on the cusp of making history. Regardless of who wins, history will be made as either Emelianenko solidifies his comeback by becoming heavyweight champion again or Bader becomes the first to hold two titles simultaneously.

Joshua Pacio vs. Yosuke Saruta (ONE Championship: Eternal Glory, 1/19/19)- For the ONE Strawweight Championship. Saruta is replacing Hayato Suzuki. Pacio is riding a four fight win streak with his recent win being over Yoshitaka Naito by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Conquest of Heroes on September 22nd. Saruta is coming off a win over Alex Silva by unanimous decision at ONE Championship: Destiny of Champions on December 7th. After coming up short in 2016 and some setbacks while having to climb back into contention, Pacio finally put it together in 2018 and avenged his loss to Naito to become the ONE Strawweight Champion. After coming up short once before and having to go on a win streak, the last thing Pacio wants is to come up short in his first title defense. Not to mention he was supposed to face Hayato Suzuki who is the only other man to defeat him and a win will likely set that fight up in a few months thus allowing Pacio to avenge a loss which would mean he's avenged both losses. Saruta had a successful ONE debut in December but now is being given a golden opportunity quickly as he replaces Hayato Suzuki and makes the quick return to challenge for the championship. Saruta is being given an opportunity he couldn't refuse but is he coming back too soon? He fought for fifteen minutes in December and will now challenge Pacio. We'll see if this is a gamble that will pay off or if it was a mistake.

Geje Eustaquio vs. Adriano Moraes (ONE Championship: Hero's Ascent, 1/25/19)- For the ONE Flyweight Championship. This is a rematch from ONE Championship: Rise of the Kingdom on September 12, 2014 and ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power on June 23, 2018. Eustaquio is riding a two fight win streak with his recent win being over Adriano Moraes by split decision at ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power at June 23rd. Moraes is coming off a loss to Geje Eustaquio by split decision at ONE Championship: Pinnacle of Power at June 23rd. This is the third fight between them and they're tied with one win apiece. Not only is the championship on the line but so are bragging rights. As mentioned above, the last fight went to a split decision so Moraes would love to prove that it was a fluke and bad judges call while Eustaquio would love to prove he is the better fighter and put an exclamation point on it this time. On paper, Eustaquio is the underdog but he upset Moraes before. The question is can he do it again? As for Moraes, he has the chance to become the first three time champion in ONE history but a loss would result in the first losing streak of his career and could take a while before he gets another title shot.