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The year 2022 is now upon us. It is set to be a big one for the UFC, with many huge fights and major events likely to be on tap.
The UFC will undoubtedly look to book some big clashes throughout the year, with a handful already booked. Which potential classics could also take place in 2022?
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There are plenty of UFC title fights and major grudge matches that could be booked in 2022, which could be one of the best years in UFC history.
Considering the same, here are five UFC fights we’d love to see in 2022:
#5. UFC bantamweight title: Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes
The biggest upset of 2021 took place in the final UFC event of the year. Julianna Pena somehow managed to overcome the greatest female fighter in MMA history – Amanda Nunes. She submitted Nunes in the second round of their fight to take the latter's UFC bantamweight title.
Nobody expected ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ to pull off the victory, save for Pena herself. So, understandably, the fight immediately entered UFC lore.
The promotion often books immediate title rematches that aren’t often justified. However, in this case, it’d be difficult not to let Nunes have a shot at redemption.
Not only had ‘The Lioness’ held the title for over five years, but she had also established herself as a major star in that period. Nuns had put together a total of five successful defenses along the way.
There’s a ton of intrigue around a potential rematch. The big questions naturally are whether Nunes can make the necessary adjustments to avenge her loss, whether Pena simply caught ‘The Lioness’ on a bad day, or if she’s a potential all-time great too.
As their first meeting only took place in late December, it’s highly likely we’ll have to wait until the early part of the summer, at best, for this rematch. That gives the UFC plenty of time to let things simmer and hopefully draw even more interest for the fight.
There are many strong women's fights to look forward to in 2022. However, there’s no doubt that this UFC title rematch sits at the top of that list.
#4. Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington
The UFC loves to book major grudge matches between its stars, particularly when they don’t really need to add a lot to an already-existing rivalry. Considering the same, 2022 could be the year when bitter rivals Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington finally face off in the octagon.
Once training partners and good friends – Covington apparently stayed on Masvidal’s couch for a period of time. However, the two welterweight contenders fell out a few years ago. ‘Chaos’ blamed jealousy, while Masvidal claimed Covington had 'ripped off' one of their coaches.
If anything, it’s a surprise the UFC hasn't already attempted to book the two against one another. However, with both men receiving shots at UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in 2021, the time perhaps wasn’t right.
In 2022, though – with both men arguably out of title contention following their losses to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ – a fight between the two makes perfect sense.
There would be an immense amount of trash talked before the fight – guaranteeing the interest of fans to be piqued. Moreover, it could also prove to be an exciting clash inside the octagon.
Could Masvidal’s sharper boxing allow him to outstrike and knock Covington out, or would the wrestling game of ‘Chaos’ allow him to grind ‘Gamebred’ down? Essentially, it’s a fight that makes almost too much sense for the UFC to not book it at some point in 2022.
#3. UFC lightweight title: Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev
The UFC has already suggested that Charles Oliveira’s next UFC lightweight title defense could come against Justin Gaethje.
There have also been rumors around ‘Do Bronx’ potentially defending his title against Conor McGregor. However, the opponent most fans really want to see the Brazilian square off with is undoubtedly Islam Makhachev.
A training partner and close friend of former UFC lightweight kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is riding an impressive nine-fight win streak dating back to 2016.
Last year was probably his most impressive year to date. He pulled off three submission wins in a row, over Drew Dober, Thiago Moises and Dan Hooker.
The Dagestani is already booked to fight top-ten ranked Beneil Dariush in early 2022. If he can get past that fight, and Oliveira holds off the challenge of Gaethje, fans would hope that the UFC puts together a fight between the two.
An Oliveira/Makhachev clash could be one of the best grappling matches ever seen in the UFC. Moreover, it’d also provide a lot of intrigue, as it’d probably be the closest fans would ever get to seeing a fight between Oliveira and Khabib.
With both men likely to fight against other opponents first in 2022, there’s doubt around if this clash would happen. However, most UFC fans would hope it does.
#2. UFC welterweight title: Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev
UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman had a stellar year in 2021. He knocked back the challenges of Gilbert Burns, Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, finishing the first two opponents with violent knockouts.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ now has five successful title defenses under his belt, putting Georges St-Pierre’s record of nine firmly in his sight. More to the point, he’s just one more win away from equalling Anderson Silva’s record of 16 consecutive wins in the octagon.
Who’s next for Usman? Given that he’s ranked #3 in the division, and is riding a lengthy win streak of his own, it’s likely to be Leon Edwards. However, ‘Rocky’ is not the most intriguing potential opponent for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ at 170lbs.
That opponent would be Khamzat Chimaev. Sure, ‘Borz’ has just one big win under his belt, and is only ranked #11 right now. However, it’s safe to say he’s a very special fighter.
Going 4-0 in the UFC thus far, Chimaev hasn’t just been beating his foes. He has absolutely dismantled them, and has yet to absorb a significant strike during his tenure with the promotion.
More to the point: the native of Chechnya is clearly a confident fighter. He has already talked plenty of trash on the rest of the division, and seems set on earning a shot at the UFC welterweight title.
If Usman gets past Edwards and ‘Borz’ keeps winning, the UFC may not be able to avoid booking this fight at some point in 2022. If they do so, it could prove to be one of the biggest title fights in a while.
#1. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
Conor McGregor has talked about potentially facing off with Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title in 2022. However, the truth is that he probably needs to pick up at least one big win before that happens.
‘The Notorious’ remains the UFC’s biggest superstar and drawing card. However, he has won just one fight in the octagon since 2016 – his early 2020 win over Donald Cerrone. He lost twice in 2021, coming up short against Dustin Poirier on both occasions.
McGregor clearly needs a tune-up fight of sorts. However, given his profile, it’s impossible for the UFC to match him with someone too low on the totem pole. Considering the same, it’s pretty clear the realistic fight every UFC fan would love to see the Irishman involved in would be a long-awaited trilogy bout with his bitter rival Nate Diaz.
McGregor and Diaz famously split two bouts in 2016. Diaz won the first by submission, while McGregor came out on top in the second in a razor-close decision. Since then, there’s been plenty of talk about a third bout, but thus, it hasn’t come to fruition.
Considering the fan interest that still swirls around the two stars despite their difficulties inside the octagon in recent years, 2022 finally seems like the right time to get this fight booked.
Diaz is now heading into the final bout of his current UFC contract. He is actually looking like a potentially beatable foe for McGregor. So the time must surely be right for the promotion to finally put together the trilogy, and settle the grudge for good.
