5 best fighters outside the UFC in 2022

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#2. Vadim Nemkov - Bellator

Vadim Nemkov holds a record of 15-2

Vadim Nemkov is a big reason why many pundits feel the UFC and Bellator's light heavyweight divisions are very evenly matched.

In a stacked division featuring names like Phil Davis, Ryan Bader and Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson, the Russian has managed to rise to the very top.

Nemkov is in the midst of a nine-fight winning streak, with eight of those wins coming via finish. His next fight will be against former UFC contender Corey Anderson in the finals of Bellator's light heavyweight world grand prix.

That bout may well be his biggest challenge yet, however, should he manage to secure another victory he will start turning more heads. Nemkov is still young at 29 years old and if he continues to churn out one impressive performance after another, don't be surprised if the UFC try and get their hands on him.

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#1. A.J. McKee - Bellator

A.J. McKee holds a record 18-0

You can make a very strong case that A.J. McKee is the best talent in the world outside of the UFC. The featherweight phenom is undefeated in 18 fights. McKee, in his last fight, also won the Bellator title with a stunning first round submission of Patrício Pitbull.

McKee has consistently produced highlight reel finishes since debuting in 2015 and has earned his spot as the pound-for-pound king of Bellator.

'The Mercenary' is such a talent that fans are already discussing how a potential bout with UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski would play out.

While any potential move to the UFC is still some way off yet, look for McKee to continue racking up wins in Bellator in the meantime.

With 2022 now upon us, he truly seems to be the best fighter in the world who's not currently competing for the UFC.