8. Anthony Pettis vs. Michael Chiesa
UFC 223 “Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov”
April 7 | Brooklyn, New York
Pettis has yet to recapture the magic that led to his becoming UFC lightweight champion and saw him appear on a Wheaties box. Since his successful title defense against Gilbert Melendez in December 2014, “Showtime” has compiled a disappointing 2-5 record, his wins over Jim Miller and Charles Oliveira overshadowed by losses to Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez and Rafael dos Anjos. At 31 years of age and on the backside of his physical prime, Pettis’ window may be closing. Chiesa has not fought since his controversial submission loss to Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night in June, when referee Mario Yamasaki waved off their main event without giving “The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner the chance to tap out to a rear-naked choke. It closed the book on a three-fight winning streak for the Sikjitsu export.

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