5 biggest non-title UFC fights already booked in 2022

#4. Beneil Dariush vs. Islam Makhachev - UFC Fight Night 202

Darisuh and Makhachev (pictured) have a combined record of 42-5-1

Islam Makhachev was one of the UFC's star performers in 2021 and many feel he is now just one win away from securing a title shot. He will have an opportunity to get that win when he faces the man ranked one spot above him on February 26.

Both fighters enter this one off the back of enormous win streaks. Dariush has won seven in a row whilst Makhachev's streak stands at nine. They are also ranked highly in the lightweight division at No.3 and No.4 respectively, making this a massive fight.

The reason this bout doesn't rank higher is due to the convoluted title picture at lightweight. With Conor McGregor potentially about to jump the queue and Justin Gaethje also in the mix, it's a little tricky to predict just where the winner of this bout will land in regards to challenging for Charles Oliveira's belt.

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#3. Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic - UFC Fight Night 205

Blachowicz (pictured on left) and Rakic have a combined record of 42-11

One only needs to look at this duo's rankings to see just how big a fight this will be in the light heavyweight division. The No.1-ranked Blachowicz will face the No.3-ranked Rakic in an important fight at 205 lbs currently scheduled for March 26.

Jan Blachowicz lost his title in his last fight whilst Aleksandar Rakic has been calling for a number one contender bout for some time. Should Rakic win here he would likely cement his position for a title fight against the winner of Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka.

Should Blachowicz win the fight, the situation becomes a little trickier to predict, which is why this fight isn't placed higher. Blachowicz is a former champion but beating Prochazka might not see him get the next title shot. In any case, watching these two behemouths collide in March is something for UFC fans to look forward to.