5 UFC heavyweights who could challenge for the title in 2022

#4. Tai Tuivasa - No.11 ranked UFC heavyweight

Tuivasa holds a record of 13-3

Tai Tuivasa may be even lower in the UFC rankings but he takes on a higher-ranked fighter next and will be back in action earlier in the year. While not so long ago Tuivasa was on a three-fight losing streak, he has now recorded four straight finishes and is more popular than ever.

Tuivasa is scheduled to face the No.3 ranked Derrick Lewis on February 12. A win there would put the Australian in a position where he would likely only need one more before he possibly challenges for the belt.

Like Aspinall, if this were to come to fruition it would likely mean a title fight towards the end of the year. This might just be possible as Tuivasa has shown a new focus in recent times that has transformed him into a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division.

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#3. Derrick Lewis - No.3 ranked UFC heavyweight

Lewis holds a record of 26-8 (1NC)

Derrick Lewis was unsuccessful in his interim championship fight against Ciryl Gane in August last year. However, he quickly bounced back with a first-round KO of Chris Daukaus to get back in the win column.

Lewis' chances went up considerably when Francis Ngannou picked up the win on Saturday. This is because 'The Black Beast' holds a win over Ngannou back in 2018, so there is a chance for the pair to meet in the future. Lewis is also one of the more popular fighters on the roster which will make the UFC keen to put him in big spots.

Should Lewis defeat Tuivasa and the returns of Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic fail to materialize, 'The Black Beast' could conceivably be the next man to challenge for the heavyweight belt.