5 dream matchups that could bring back retired UFC legends
In a recent interview, retired UFC legend Ronda Rousey expressed an interest in returning to MMA to face fellow pioneer Gina Carano in what was once a dream matchup. She further shot down potential rematches with Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, the two women responsible for handing her the only losses of her MMA career. According to Rousey, she'd only return for Gina Carano due to the amount of respect she has for her. The fight has a fair amount of history with the UFC having attempted to book it when Rousey was still an active fighter.
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While Carano was reportedly offered $1 million to face Rousey, her request for a six-month training camp did not line up with the UFC's timeline and she ultimately felt pressured into accepting the bout after Dana White announced she'd agreed to face Rousey. Other MMA legends, however, might be goaded from the comfort of retirement to face dream opponents. Some fighters have expressed deep admiration and reverence for specific foes who might lure them back into the octagon, while others have expressed a desire to avenge a loss to an opponent they feel was gifted a win. This list aims to explore five potential matchups that might lure UFC legends out of retirement.
#5. UFC rematch between Chad Mendes and Conor McGregor
While Conor McGregor remains a permanent fixture in the UFC's plans, Chad Mendes retired from MMA following the loss to Alexander Volkanovski in 2018. Mendes, however, has long expressed his belief that his loss to McGregor at UFC 189 was due to being a late-notice replacement for Jose Aldo, who had pulled out of his scheduled bout with McGregor due to a rib injury.
#UFC189 Highlights Recap: Conor McGregor TKO's Chad Mendes to win interim featherweight title youtu.be/-Qdc1cqFf-4 http://t.co/Ms23VYodIU
Mendes fought valiantly against McGregor but inevitably fell victim to a second round TKO loss after McGregor's stabbing front kicks to the body sapped him of his energy, setting up the Irishman's straight and long left hooks. Mendes, however, insisted that the loss was due to having little time to prepare for the bout as he only had days to get himself into fighting shape. While the fight took place years ago in 2015 and Mendes retired from the sport, he could likely be convinced to return for a rematch with McGregor, especially given how lucrative a McGregor fight has become due to the level of superstardom the Irishman went on to acquire.
Not only would Mendes have the chance to avenge a loss to an opponent he believes he can defeat, but he'd earn the biggest payday of his career as McGregor is now a much bigger star than he was back in 2015.