Dana White makes 2019 predictions: women’s 145 sticks around, Diaz brothers won’t fight, and more

2019 is marking a fresh start for MMA’s top promotion in the UFC. Things are kicking off with new title belts, new broadcasting stations, and just a new era overall.

With the word ‘new’ comes expectations and potential changes. But what could some of those be?

There are several questions that the community would love some answers to, as there always is… But to kick things off, UFC President Dana White recently ran down a list with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter to see what he thought would happen in the coming year.

Starting things off with a controversial one, White said yes to former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar returning to the UFC in 2019. Lesnar last fought in 2016 and hasn’t picked up an official victory since 2010. He’s expected to challenge for Daniel Cormier’s title upon his return.

Next, White was asked if Conor McGregor will fight the following in 2019: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dustin Poirier, Georges St-Pierre, Nate Diaz, Max Holloway, Tony Ferguson, Tyron Woodley, or the field.

White surprisingly went with ‘the field’ option which in betting terminology means an option outside of what was listed.

With UFC Brooklyn coming up tomorrow night on ESPN+, the talk is all about the flyweight division and for how much longer it may or may not be around for. White’s answer here? “I’m gonna skip that one,”

Another division that’s future has been seemingly up in the air or speculated upon… Really since its creation in February 2017, is that of the women’s featherweight division. That of which White did say he expects to be around at this time next year.

Continuing with division talk, White would say no to 165-pound and 175-pound divisions existing at this time next year.

When it came to fighter returns, the UFC boss predicts that St-Pierre and both Nick and Nate Diaz will not compete for the UFC in 2019. As for fights, he gave a yes to Cormier vs Jon Jones 3 happening along with McGregor not competing in boxing and Cormier being retired by this time next year.

When it came to how he feels about all the predictions he made, White said “I’m very confident in those bets,”

Which did you find most interesting out of all of Dana White’s 2019 predictions?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 1/18/2019