5 UFC fighters who could enjoy a breakout 2022

#4. Manel Kape – UFC flyweight contender

Manel Kape has the striking ability to become a genuine UFC star in 2022.

Manel Kape, a former bantamweight champion with Japan’s Rizin promotion, earned a lot of hype before his UFC debut in February. However, early on at least, it looked like he wouldn’t quite reach his potential inside the octagon.

Kape was well beaten by high-level flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja in his first UFC outing. He then fell to a second defeat against Matheus Nicolau a month later, which put his future with the promotion in serious doubt.

However, since then, Kape has looked absolutely fabulous. He has used his blistering striking style to take out both Ode Osbourne and Zhalgas Zhumagulov in devastating fashion.

His win over Osbourne, in particular, was amazing. Kape knocked out the veteran with a savage flying knee in the first round, demonstrating some serious athleticism in the process.

Kape clearly has the style and charisma to break out as a genuine star for the UFC in 2022. However, there are, admittedly, a couple of question marks around him.

Firstly, he has missed the 125 lbs flyweight limit in one of his four fights. That is a hurdle he should be able to overcome, but it's worth keeping a close eye on going forward. Secondly, while he looked excellent in his win over Zhumagulov, questions remain regarding his wrestling defense.

However, with arguably the most explosive striking game in the flyweight division, Kape is clearly a threat to anyone. If he were he to be matched with a highly ranked foe like Alex Perez or Brandon Royval, he'll fancy his chances of winning.

If he does that, Cape could become a genuine contender for the UFC flyweight title next year.

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#3. Bruno Silva – UFC middleweight contender

Bruno Silva picked up three UFC wins in violent fashion in 2021.

Initially supposed to debut with the UFC in 2020, a USADA suspension sidelined Bruno Silva till June this year. That meant very few fans were excited about his first octagon appearance.

However, it’s probably fair to say that UFC fans know exactly who ‘Blindado’ is now. The Brazilian has quickly established himself as one of the middleweight division’s most explosive prospects. In fact, you could easily argue that Silva was quietly the most successful UFC debutant of 2021.

‘Blindado’ won his first three fights in the octagon this year. Most impressively, he defeated all three opponents – Wellington Turman, Andrew Sanchez and Jordan Wright – by either KO or TKO.

His wins over Turman and Wright were hugely impressive in their sheer violence. However, his win over TUF 23 winner Sanchez, arguably, stood out the most.

That’s because Silva appeared to lose the fight through the first two rounds. Sanchez used his wrestling game and strength in the clinch to largely nullify Silva's striking power.

However, ‘Blindado’ was able to turn things around in the third round. He blitzed a tired Sanchez with brutal punches until the latter could take it no more. This comeback was a message to any future opponent that one simply cannot count Silva out at any time.

Right now, ‘Blindado’ remains unranked in the UFC’s middleweight division. However, with a fight against kickboxing legend Alex Pereira planned for early 2022, a win could see him emerge as a star. If the Brazilian can repeat his 2021 form going into next year, he could definitely enjoy a breakout year.