5 rematches we need to see in the UFC in 2022

Rematches have played a major role throughout the history of the UFC and combat sports in general. They add to the drama and storyline of a rivalry between two fighters and have produced some iconic moments that’ll be etched in UFC folklore for many years to come.

The UFC recently announced the much-anticipated rematch between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. They previously squared off over two years ago at the Marvel Stadium in Australia at UFC 243 where Adesanya emerged victorious.

Some of the most memorable rematches in promotional history include Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir 2, Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn 2, Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald 2, Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 2 and Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2.

That said, we thought we’d look at five rematches we need to see in 2022.

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#5. Marlon Vera vs. Sean O’Malley 2 – UFC bantamweight division

Sean O’Malley is confident that he will cross paths with Marlon Vera again. Vera remains the only fighter to have a win over O’Malley, albeit the legitimacy of his victory is debatable.

In a video posted to his YouTube channel, O’Malley was asked about potentially running it back with ‘Chito’ in the future, to which he replied:

“It’s satisfying knowing that he [Marlon Vera] knows that [the first fight’s result was illegitimate]. Will we have a rematch someday? I say ‘yes’. I think a hundred per cent we’re going to have a rematch someday. I just feel like he needs to earn it.”

Watch Sean O’Malley give his take on a potential rematch with Marlon Vera below:

Sean O’Malley took on Marlon Vera in August 2020 in Las Vegas. Vera landed a leg kick in the first round that hit the peroneal nerve in O’Malley’s calf. This caused the ‘drop-foot’ phenomenon – something we’ve seen only a handful of times in the octagon.

Vera subsequently finished O’Malley after the latter basically became a one-legged fighter.

While Vera’s strike clearly caused the injury and he deserves all the credit, the question regarding which fighter is more skilled is still up for debate. O’Malley was significantly faster than 'Chito' in the striking exchanges before the injury. There’s only one way to find out which of the two is better at their craft.

Moreover, because of the contentious nature of the result of their first bout, there is real animosity between O’Malley and Vera.

In an interview with TMZ Sports, Vera had this to say:

“The guy is a cry baby. He’s a little b*tch, you know? [If] you’re a b*tch once, you’re a b*tch forever, you know? So I don’t care about the guy. He can talk whatever he wants.”

'Chito' added:

“Let’s be real. This is not big money in the rematch because first thing, he’s not Conor McGregor. Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz are money [fights]. Sean O’Malley is just like a lower version of Conor McGregor, [he’s] like the China version of him. Made in China. He’s fake.”

Watch Marlon Vera’s full interview with TMZ Sports below:

#4. Charles Oliveira vs. Max Holloway 2 – UFC lightweight division

Charles Oliveira, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, has vowed to hold on to his belt for a very long time. The Brazilian has no shortage of opponents at 155 lbs. He is rumored to be taking on Justin Gaethje in the first half of 2022 and has teased a potential bout with Conor McGregor as well.

However, there is another potential bout looming on the horizon for ‘Do Bronx’ against former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway. Holloway fought Oliveira back in 2015 when the duo were both plying their trade at 145 lbs. Unfortunately, the fight ended unceremoniously.

The fight came to an unfortunate end after the Brazilian sustained a neck injury in the first round. Holloway was awarded a TKO victory at UFC Fight Night 74 as a result.

Almost seven years after their first fight, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira are among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Considering Holloway’s championship credentials and status as one of the greatest UFC featherweights of all time, ‘Blessed’ should be allowed a direct title shot against Oliveira, despite not being in the rankings at 155 lbs.

Holloway recently hinted at a potential rematch against Oliveira down the line. Following his most recent victory over Yair Rodriguez, he had this to say in his post-fight interview:

“I got a win over the 155 lbs champion [referring to Charles Oliveira], we got Alex [Volkanovski], I’m on the shortlist for Conor McGregor. Tell ‘em hit my line. We’ll be ready whenever!”

Holloway has also stated on numerous occasions that he will be looking to move to the lightweight division permanently at some point in the future. A title fight against Oliveira would certainly be a fitting re-introduction to 155 lbs for the Hawaiian sensation.

Additionally, the stylistic matchup would truly be a sight to behold. Both fighters are excellent strikers who rarely take a backward step. It’ll be interesting to see how Holloway’s volume-boxing fares against Oliveira’s highly technical Muay Thai skills.

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#3. Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2 – UFC strawweight division

Rose Namajunas has emerged as one of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster in recent years.

Namajunas sits atop the 115 lbs weight class and is primed to become a long-reigning UFC champion. However, there is a litany of top talent on the rise in the division and she has her work cut out for her if she is to continue defending her belt.

Namajunas has already beaten some of the best fighters in the division, having secured victories over the likes of former champions Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk.

Namajunas and Carla Esparza were contestants on The Ultimate Fighter 20. They were clearly the best fighters on the reality show and made it all the way to the final. The victor was to be crowned the promotion's inaugural strawweight champion.

Carla Esparza came out on top and became the first-ever champion of the 115 lbs division. She remains an ominous presence in the weight class. ‘Cookie Monster’ is undeniably the best wrestler in the division, a strong asset in a bracket seemingly brimming with strikers.

A rematch against Esparza is the obvious next step for Rose Namajunas. The strawweight pair started the division together and the stage is set for them to run it back.

#2. Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 – UFC welterweight division

2021 saw Kamaru Usman, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, emerge as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Usman defended his title twice in the first half of last year, securing KO/TKO victories over top contenders Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal.

With two successful title defenses in three months, nobody would’ve batted an eyelid if Usman opted to take some time away from the sport and return in 2022. This wasn’t the case, as he squared off against bitter rival Colby Covington in a rematch in New York City at UFC 268 in November, where he came out on top to cap off an incredible year.

Kamaru Usman is seemingly lapping the rest of the fighters in the UFC welterweight division. Having beaten both Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington twice each, Usman is running out of legitimate contenders at 170 lbs.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has one more fighter to lap – Leon Edwards. The duo squared off for the first time back in 2015 at UFC on Fox 17, when they were both making their way up the rankings. Usman secured a unanimous decision victory on the night.

Edwards, back then, was nowhere near the fighter he is today. The Brit had barely trained in wrestling at the time and struggled against the former NCAA Division II national champion. Additionally, he revealed that he went into the fight with the wrong gameplan and mindset. He said:

"I fought with a defensive mindset. I wasn't thinking about what I needed to do, it was more just about what he's going to do and do I let him do it. That's not a good way to look at life or fighting."

Since his loss to Kamaru Usman seven years ago, Leon Edwards has compiled an incredible 10-fight unbeaten streak to put himself in contention for the title.

The key to victory for Edwards against Usman is stopping the inevitable takedown. While Usman’s striking has significantly improved, Edwards is undoubtedly the more polished striker. The Englishman claims the reigning champion will avoid exchanging blows with him and will resort to shooting for takedowns out of desperation.

It’ll be interesting to see how a second fight between the two will play out.

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#1. Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2 – UFC women's bantamweight division

Julianna Pena was just another fighter in the UFC women’s bantamweight division before UFC 269. She won The Ultimate Fighter in 2013 and put together a 6-2 run before finally getting a crack at bantamweight gold.

Pena was booked to take on the GOAT of women’s MMA, Amanda Nunes, in December 2021. Most were of the opinion that Nunes would make light work of Pena and the betting odds reflected the same. Nunes was a -1100 favorite going into the bout.

Julianna Pena produced one of the greatest upsets in combat sports history as she choked out Amanda Nunes in the second round.

She took the fight to ‘The Lioness’ unlike anyone had done previously, repeatedly catching the long-reigning champion with her jab. With Nunes noticeably fatigued, Pena dragged her to the ground and locked in a rear-naked choke to complete one of the biggest upsets of all time.

Pena's win over Nunes left MMA fans around the world in shock. What made the victory even sweeter was the fact that she predicted how the bout would play out and executed her gameplan perfectly.

Amanda Nunes took to social media a few days after the historic upset, revealing that she is looking to redeem herself in a potential rematch. She will undoubtedly be eager to return with a vengeance.

Will 'The Lioness' draw level in her rivalry with Julianna Pena, or does 'The Venezuelan Vixen' have her number? Time will tell.