5 UFC fighters who enjoyed outstanding runs in 2021

#2. Charles Oliveira (2-0 in the UFC in 2021, both championship bouts)

Charles Oliveira joined the UFC in 2010. The Brazilian endured a tumultuous run in the promotion which culminated in spectacular fashion at UFC 262 earlier this year.

Oliveira took on Michael Chandler for the vacant UFC lightweight championship following the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Throughout the course of his career, ‘Do Bronx’ was accused of giving up in fights and not showing the heart of a champion. This was tested at UFC 262 as Chandler hurt Oliveira on numerous occasions in the first round of their bout.

However, the 32-year-old mounted an admirable comeback in the second round, knocking out his American counterpart 20 seconds into the round to win the belt.

Charles Oliveira took on Dustin Poirier in his first title defense at UFC 269, the final UFC pay-per-view of the year. The Brazilian was the betting underdog going into the bout as many believed he would struggle against the power and pressure of 'The Diamond'.

However, Oliveira made a resounding statement with a stunning victory over Poirier. Adding to his record for most submission wins and finishes in UFC history, 'Do Bronx' sunk in a rear-naked choke in the third round of the bout. Poirier was forced to tap and Oliveira secured his first title defense.

2021 saw Charles Oliveira go from being a top contender in the toughest division in the UFC to becoming an undisputed world champion. Moreover, there were a lot of lingering doubts surrounding the Brazilian's willingness to fight through adversity. He silenced his critics in style, producing two come-from-behind victories against top contenders in the 155 lbs division.

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#1. Kamaru Usman (3-0 in the UFC in 2021, all title defenses)

Going into 2021, Kamaru Usman wasn’t regarded the same way he is now.

‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ had an impressive run in 2019 wherein he won the belt against Tyron Woodley and subsequently defended it against Colby Covington. He fought just once in 2020, cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in a lackluster affair.

2021 saw Usman emerge as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

He took on former teammate Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 258 in February. The Brazilian presented a tricky stylistic matchup for Usman. Burns’ elite-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu deterred the champion from imposing his wrestling skills onto the challenger. The duo traded heavy blows on the feet instead of engaging on the ground.

Usman showcased his much-improved striking skills to knock Burns out in the second round to retain his belt.

Following his win over Gilbert Burns, Kamaru Usman called for a rematch with Jorge Masvidal. He believed that Masvidal accepted the first fight only because he had a “built-in excuse,” considering ‘Gamebred’ stepped in on short notice the first time they squared off.

Usman and Masvidal locked horns for the second time in the main event of UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida. The consensus opinion was that Masvidal possessed the superior striking acumen, and that Usman would have to use his wrestling in order to win the fight.

However, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ produced one of the most sensational knockouts of the year, landing a flush right cross straight onto the jaw of 'Gamebred' to defend his title.

With two successful title defenses in 2021, nobody would’ve batted an eyelid if Kamaru 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 the main event of UFC 268 in New York.

The duo fought in 2019, with Usman coming out on top after a sensational back-and-forth encounter. UFC president Dana White stated on numerous occasions that the first bout between Usman and Covington was one of the best fights he’d ever seen. The rematch was booked to headline the promotion’s return to the most iconic arena in combat sports history, Madison Square Garden.

Usman emerged victorious over Covington once again, solidifying his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world to cap off an incredible year.