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After spoiling fans with UFC 267 and UFC 268 in consecutive weeks, there is now only one more pay-per-view for the remainder of 2021. UFC 269 will end the year's ppv calendar on December 11th and is headlined by Charles Oliveira against Dustin Poirier.
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This year has seen a number of great UFC title fights. Notably, Kamaru Usman has featured in three of them, finishing both Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal before grinding a decision victory over Colby Covington last Sunday.
2021 has also seen a number of crowning moments for veterans bent on their first UFC title. Charles Oliveira, Brandon Moreno and, most recently, Glover Teixeira, all became champion for the first time.
We've also seen more familiar faces dominate, with the likes of Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko continuing to add title defenses to their tally.
With new champions and contenders emerging, here are 5 UFC title fights we might enjoy after the new year arrives.
#5. Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk III
Thug' Rose Namajunas had a scintillat
ing 2021. She fought twice, first defeating Zhang Weili for the UFC women's strawweight championship and then successfully defeating Weili in the rematch.
Meanwhile, Joanna Jedrzejczyk did not compete this year. After her classic vs. Zhang, the 34-year-old took a while to heal and was even removed from the rankings.
That's not to say Jedrzejczyk now faces a long path back to the title. Following Rose's victory over Zhang this weekend, fans immediately called for a second bout between Weili and Jedrzejczyk.
Should Jedrzejczyk win that rematch, which many felt she had done in their first split decision, she would become the clear no. 1 contender. Rose, meanwhile, looks set to defend her belt next against steamrolling Carla Esparza.
If both are successful in their latest ventures, we could witness a third fight between Namajunas and Jedrzejczyk as soon as the summer of 2022. The winner would likely become the greatest strawweight of all time after proving their championship quality.
#4. Petr Yan vs. T.J. Dillashaw
2021 was a strange year for Petr Yan as he lost his belt via DQ to Aljamain Sterling in March before winning the interim UFC title in a bout against Cory Sandhagen. Yan looked great on both occasions and is now the man to beat at 135 lbs.
2021 also saw the return of T.J. Dillashaw, who bounced back from his doping ban with a closely fought split decision win over Cory Sandhagen. While Dillashaw suffered a knee injury in that fight, he will be back in the title hunt in 2022.
The one man standing in the way of us getting this bout immediately is Aljamain Sterling. He remains the rightful champion following his DQ win and one imagines the UFC will look to book him in a title unification bout against Yan next.
If Yan were to win that one, we could be set for him to take on Dillashaw next.
#3. Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev
As noted earlier, Usman has had an outstanding 2021 with wins over Burns, Masvidal and Covington. He's established himself as a dominant champion and we've already seen him beat a number of the UFC's top welterweights.
Chimaev had a somewhat challenging year that saw him battle the COVID-19 virus and even hint at retirement. He bounced back in fine form at UFC 267, demolishing Li Jingliang and charging into the rankings at no. 10.
This matchup is likely a little further from happening than the prior two as Chimaev still needs to ascend the rankings before commanding a title shot. However, given the hype surrounding him, he is likely only two fights away.
If he gains the necessary victories, it would set up a huge fight with the similarly dominant champion.
#2. Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor IV
2021 was very good to Dustin Poirier and it has the potential to get even better on December 11th when he attempts to win the UFC lightweight crown. He's already secured multiple finishes over Conor McGregor to cement his top-contender status.
McGregor, in contrast, has had a difficult year. He suffered those two losses, the latter of which saw him break his tibia, which has left him out of action and away from the UFC for some time.
When McGregor returns, however, it doesn't seem unlikely that he goes right after the man who inflicted these two losses upon him. If that is his wish, you would imagine neither Dana White nor Dustin Poirier are going to say no.
McGregor remains the biggest draw in the sport and continues to make the UFC a lot of money whenever he competes. While some may feel McGregor's best days are behind him, seeing him fight for the gold again would be special.
#1. Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko III
Could 2022 be the year we finally complete the trilogy between the two best female fighters in the UFC, Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko? The timing would certainly seem to make sense.
Shevchenko has looked dominant over all the top contenders in her division and the only challenge left for her seems to be finally defeating Nunes. If Nunes overcomes Julianna Pena at UFC 269, she would then find herself in a similar position.
While Nunes may feel she has less to prove given she owns two victories over Shevchenko, the first was only three rounds and the second was a split decision many felt she lost. There remains plenty of intrigue regarding who is better.
Should Nunes win in December, it could finally be time to settle the score between these two legends.
