Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall and Cris Cyborg v with Kayla Harrison - MMA fights we want in 2024

Britons Michael Page (centre) and Tom Aspinall (right) could be in massive fights in 2024

Mixed martial arts is set for one of its biggest years to date with the PFL and Bellator combining forces and UFC poised to stage its 300th major event.

Conor McGregor may make his comeback and Francis Ngannou is expected to return to MMA, while Britons Leon Edwards, Leah McCourt and Tom Aspinall are all set for world championship fights in 2024.

Here BBC Sport picks out some of the fights we want to see, and the contests which could ignite massive interest.

Jon Jones v Tom Aspinall

One major storyline is what to do with the UFC's heavyweight division. Manchester's Aspinall became interim champion in thrilling fashion in December in the absence of injured reigning belt holder Jon Jones.

American Jones, considered by many as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Dana White has repeatedly said he will fight Stipe Miocic on his return.

No UFC fighter has ever defended an interim title but that could change with Aspinall if White sticks to his guns. Or, Aspinall could fight Jones on his return.

Aspinall is desperate to fight 36-year-old Jones before he retires and it would make for a compelling fight as the young star tries to dislodge the pound-for-pound great.

Cris Cyborg v Kayla Harrison

With PFL's acquisition of Bellator, the possibilities are endless for the best of each promotion to face each other.

PFL has already said there will be a champion v champion event later in 2024, but there are plenty of fans who will be desperate to see Bellator's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg fight PFL's two-time lightweight winner Kayla Harrison.

The two stars have been linked with each other since 2021, when Harrison won her first PFL championship.

Harrison was dethroned by Brazil's Larissa Pacheco in the 2022 season and did not take part in the 2023 tournament, but made a winning comeback in November - immediately calling out Cyborg afterwards.

Pacheco might get the first crack at Cyborg considered she is the reigning featherweight champion, but Cyborg v Harrison remains one of the biggest match-ups in women's MMA.

Michael Page v Cedric Doumbe

Cedric Doumbe invited Michael 'Venom' Page into the PFL cage in Dublin in December

Michael 'Venom' Page was one of the hottest free agents in MMA before he signed with the UFC.

He held talks with the UFC as well as the PFL, who are his old employer's new bosses.

Cedric Doumbe made his PFL debut in Paris earlier this year with the likes of PSG star Kylian Mbappe at cageside and was an instant hit with a nine-second knockout.

MVP and Doumbe both have a striking-first style and an eye for promotion with elaborate walk-outs and celebrations.

A welterweight contest between the pair would probably be one of the biggest all-European bouts of the year, and although Page is now with the UFC, we are nothing if not wishful thinkers.

Francis Ngannou v Ryan Bader

Ngannou appears set to return to MMA after dabbling in boxing.

The former UFC heavyweight champion is signed to the PFL and although we would love to see Ngannou v Jones, that seems nearly impossible given the UFC's stance on cross-promotion.

Ryan Bader, the Bellator champion, is a good option for Ngannou. The 40-year-old is unbeaten at heavyweight since making his debut at the weight in 2018.

Ngannou needs a big name on his return to MMA and Bader is a clear frontrunner to welcome him back.

Alex Pereira v Israel Adesanya 3

MMA has had some great rivalries down the years, but Alex Pereira's history with Israel Adesanya in kickboxing and MMA is unique.

Adesanya levelled their MMA contests at 1-1 by beating Pereira in their rematch at UFC 287, but has since lost the middleweight title. Brazil's Pereira moved up to light-heavyweight to claim a second UFC title in record time in November.

Now appears the perfect time to stage a third fight with Pereira the champion, while Adesanya failed in an attempt in 2021 to add the 185lb (13st 3lb) title to his collection.

Honourable mentions: Brendan Loughnane v Aaron Pico (featherweight)

Alexa Grasso v Valentina Shevchenko 3 (flyweight)

Dustin Poirier v Arman Tsarukyan (lightweight)

Cris Cyborg v Leah McCourt (featherweight)

Johnny Eblen v Fabian Edwards 2 (middleweight)