5 bold MMA predictions for 2017

Considering that 2016 saw the UFC sold for over $4 billion, Conor McGregor becoming the promotion's first-ever dual-division champion, and Brock Lesnar's return to the Octagon, almost nothing seems out of the realm of possibility for 2017.

Here are five bold MMA predictions that could come to pass in the next 12 months:

UFC co-promotes with McGregor Inc.

As a rule, the UFC doesn't co-promote. Then again, there's a lot of things it didn't do before Conor McGregor rolled into town.

"The Notorious" played a major part in the UFC shattering box office records last year, which gives him leverage most athletes can only dream of. The self-proclaimed "champ champ" is currently on a break as he awaits the birth of his first child, but don't be surprised if he demands his next appearance be brought to you by both the UFC and "Conor McGregor Inc."

Jon Jones returns, wins light heavyweight and heavyweight titles

Once Jon Jones returns from his suspension for banned substances and settles his business with light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, it will be time for him to finally move up.

"Bones" has frequently teased that he could be a titleholder at heavyweight, and a second win over Cormier would essentially clear out the 205-pound division (sorry, Anthony Johnson). The time is now for Jones to pick on the aging heavyweight pack and claim another championship belt.

GSP fights for Bellator

Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has flirted with a comeback for the past few months, and according to his lawyers, he is a free agent. Negotiations with the UFC are seemingly in limbo, leaving the door open for him to compete outside of the Octagon for the first time since 2003.

GSP looked awfully comfortable hopping into the cage at a recent Bellator event, and he could join ex-UFC stars Chael Sonnen, Benson Henderson, and Phil Davis as key acquisitions for the USA's No. 2 promotion. The jump would also do wonders for St-Pierre's involvement with the newly formed Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association, as it would show that marketable names are willing to compete outside the UFC.

Sage Northcutt joins forces with Diaz brothers

The UFC's resident choirboy needs to tap into his dark side if he wants to maximize his potential.

Twenty-year-old Sage Northcutt has the look and attitude that promoters kill for, but his results in the Octagon have left something to be desired - he's compiled a modest 3-2 record. Following his most recent setback, Northcutt bumped into Nate and Nick Diaz, two experienced fighters who could be the key to helping "Super Sage" take his skills to the next level.

It won't be enough for Northcutt to just train with them for a few weeks either. He needs to move to Stockton, Calif., where he will learn to walk (scrap), talk (swear), and breathe (smoke) like a Diaz brother.

Women's featherweight division folds by end of 2017

The women's featherweight division is doomed before it's begun.

It's probably a bad sign that Dana White's comments regarding the new weight class so far include that it "was never part of the plan" and "we'll see how this whole thing plays out."

With undisputed 145-pound queen Cris Cyborg provisionally suspended pending a USADA investigation, the women's featherweight roster is currently comprised of two fighters: 135-pound transplants Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie.

They'll fight for the inaugural divisional title in February, but after that, there are few compelling options on the horizon - and there's already plenty of concern about the dearth of talent at 145 pounds. Without a sudden surge of quality fighters, the whole endeavor will be shut down by year's end.