5 UFC fights that we would love to see in 2022

#2. UFC welterweight title: Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev

UFC fans would salivate over a potential welterweight title bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman.

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.

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#1. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz

Is 2022 finally the right time for the UFC to book a third bout between Conor McGregor and 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.