5 UFC fighters who could become double champions in 2022

#2. Valentina Shevchenko – UFC women's flyweight champion

Valentina Shevchenko has established herself as one of the best fighters in the UFC in recent years, irrespective of gender. The lifelong martial artist has enjoyed an incredible career so far. The Kyrgyzstani phenom is one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, having defended her flyweight title six times.

However, Shevchenko spent almost half her UFC career competing at bantamweight before dropping down to the 125 lbs division. Despite clearly being undersized, ‘Bullet’ emerged as one of the best fighters in the bantamweight division, picking up wins over Holly Holm and Julianna Pena.

In fact, it was Shevchenko and Amanda Nunes who were the clear-cut best fighters in the division. The duo locked horns twice, with Nunes securing a unanimous decision victory in the first and a split-decision in the second. However, many believe Shevchenko should have come out on top in their second bout.

Shevchenko’s impressive bantamweight run pre-dated the UFC’s flyweight division altogether. When the division was eventually created, she secured a title shot with a win over Priscila Cachoeira and took on Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title at UFC 231, where she came out on top. She has been defending her 125 lbs title ever since.

In one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, Julianna Pena choked out Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. Considering Shevchenko already has a win over Pena, she could look to return to the 135 lbs division once again and challenge for the title. Who knows? Perhaps a trilogy bout with Amanda Nunes is on the cards as well.

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#1. Jon Jones – Former UFC light heavyweight champion

Arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history, Jon Jones, looks set to finally return to the octagon sometime in 2022. The former light heavyweight champion is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

Following his final title defense at 205 lbs against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, Jones opted to vacate the belt and subsequently set his sights on the heavyweight division. Ever since then, 'Bones' has been packing on quite a bit of size and muscle as he prepares to make the move up.

Speaking to ESPN MMA, Jon Jones shared that he intends to be as big as the current heavyweights in the division. He said:

“I’m 255 [pounds] right now. I’d like to get to 270 and cut down to 265. I just don’t want to feel smaller than any of the other guys [in the heavyweight division]. I want to be more conditioned, more skilled and just as strong, if not the strongest guy.”

Watch Jon Jones’ interview with ESPN MMA below:

With Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane set to lock horns in a title-unification bout at UFC 270 in January, Jones will be eyeing the winner as he looks to make his much-anticipated return to the cage.

Irrespective of who he goes up against, Jon Jones has the skillset to beat anybody as he has proved year after year in the 205 lbs division. ‘Bones’ could become a two-division champion in 2022, further solidifying his status as the greatest of all time.