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#2. Bellator lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov
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One Bellator fighter that will be gaining more attention when he fights is Usman Nurmagomedov. The third-ranked lightweight has risen the ranks at 155lbs and will look to earn a title shot in 2022. Nurmagomedov is the cousin of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and trains out of AKA.
Usman has an undefeated 14-0 record and has looked impressive. It's not too far fetched to assume that the 23-year-old could eventually become one of the faces of the promotion. They clearly have high hopes for him and rightfully so. He has enormous potential and is already proving to be one of the sport’s top prospects.
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He has expressed his desire to fight ranked opponents and could get his wish this year. Based on the lightweight rankings, Usman could realistically be matched up with Goiti Yamauchi or former title-challenger Peter Queally. We’ll have to wait and see what the promotion has planned for him, but 2022 could be a big year for the 23-year-old.
#1. Bellator featherweight champion A.J. ‘Mercenary’ McKee
Topping this list of Bellator fighters to keep an eye on in 2022 is A.J. ‘Mercenary’ McKee. The reigning featherweight champion is coming off the biggest win of his MMA career. He defeated Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire to become the new featherweight champion and also win the featherweight Grand Prix.
‘Mercenary’ has an undefeated 18-0 record with all his fights taking place inside the Bellator cage. He's defeated a who’s who at 145lbs and now has a decision to make. McKee has said on numerous occasions that he intends to move up to lightweight and might do just that.
McKee could decide to defend against ‘Pitbull’ in a rematch, which gives him an opportunity to earn a title defense. Another possibility could see McKee vacate the featherweight championship and challenge Patricio’s brother Patricky for the lightweight championship. McKee challenging Patricky would add another interesting chapter to the rivalry and could garner plenty of attention for the promotion.
