Super-fight anyone?
2016 was the year in which UFC titles became more insignificant than ever before as fighters discovered that chasing big-money fights was more beneficial than mounting a championship belt above their mantelpiece.
Arguably the biggest bout of 2016 was the welterweight rematch between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz, in the main event of UFC 202, and all that was at stake was pride.
So it comes as no surprise that other fighters are learning the value of trying to set up fights that fans will pay to watch.
And there would appear to be yet another super-fight on the horizon as the UFC welterweight champion and UFC middleweight champion recently shook hands on a catchweight clash.
Tyron Woodley and Michael Bisping, who both moonlight as FOX analysts, engaged in a relatively heated exchange backstage at UFC 207 on Friday night.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOvGaFWhRNL/
170lbs kingpin Woodley seemed to challenge the British fighter, who was not prepared to shy away from the opportunity.
180lbs was mentioned as a possible catchweight.
The men shook hands.
Deal done?
It seemed as though top middleweight contender Yoel Romero was next up for Bisping after the Cuban destroyed Chris Weidman with a flying knee at UFC 205.
Dana wants it, Romero wants it and now it sounds like 'The Count' is game too https://t.co/djwvVKAPqi
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 18, 2016
And, in Woodley’s case, all signs pointed to a rematch against Stephen Thompson after the pair of 170lbers fought to a majority draw later that evening.
But we should know by now that the UFC has a welcome habit of putting on fights that fans want to see ahead of bouts that make the most sense in terms of rankings.
So we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Bisping vs. Woodley at 180lbs.
And we’d certainly tune in for that.
