Ensure you do not miss the best action in mixed martial arts by reading our guide on the anticipated upcoming MMA fights between top fighters in 2022.
Most Anticipated & Popular MMA Events in 2022
Fans of boxing used to wonder what they would do in the months between major fights. While those events are well worth the wait, sometimes having to go many weeks without anything exciting to watch can be a little dull.
That is where UFC came into the picture, as the competition has more than filled the void of boxing in the calendar. Many would argue that UFC now has an even greater following than boxing because the game is so accessible.
If you are a new UFC fan, or you are looking forward to the upcoming season, here are some fighters to look out for in 2022 that may get you excited
The best matchups, which feature the greatest fighters or the ones who are knocking on the door, are the ones every fan looks forward to watching.
Below are the four most exciting upcoming UFC match-ups.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones
Here is a fight that every fan of the sport wants to see at some stage in 2022. The former light heavyweight champion Jones has experienced controversies outside the Octagon, but he is still one of the most respected fighters in the ring.
Ngannou is someone that Jones may consider coming back to fight against. He has always stated that if he was to take up a challenge, it would be an instant-title bout. That could be accomplished if he took on Ngannou, who is the heavyweight champion at present.
The only question is whether Jones has the desire and skill set to threaten and defeat Ngannou. While he was an incredible champion in the past, he has not fought for a while and may find that coming up against a heavyweight challenger like Ngannou is a step too far during a comeback.
Conor McGregor vs. Tony Ferguson
If you were to ask ten people about UFC, eight or nine of them would respond by saying Conor McGregor’s name. The Irishman is one of the most popular and celebrated fighters in the sport.
He gets the largest paydays as well. That is why fans are so eagerly anticipating his next move. While McGregor has lost his two last fights, to Dustin Poirer in 2021, he is still someone who could compete with the best.
Taking on Ferguson, who is the boogeyman of the lightweight division, would be just the fight to get McGregor back in the ring. If he is to succeed in such a comeback, he would have to defeat a fighter who has gone 12 fights without a loss.
Jose Aldo vs. Dominick Cruz
Hardcore MMA fans are not necessarily excited about McGregor returning to the Octagon, at least not as much as they want to see Jose Aldo take on Dominick Cruz.
These two are extremely similar fighters, as they have both won the World Extreme Cagefighting competition’s featherweight divisions, and they both came into UFC when the WEC and UFC merged in 2010.
Since then, both fighters have suffered ups and downs in their careers, but they have won titles in their respective divisions. Taking on each other would be a wonderful way to cap their careers, and it would give hardcore fans of the sport the fight they want to see in 2022.
Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev
With Kamaru Usman taking the UFC welterweight championship belt in 2021, he is now the king of that division. His past few fights have seen him defeat the likes of Colby Covington and Gilbert Burns.
There are questions about who he could take on next, and it appears that Khamzat Chimaev is the most likely challenger for his crown in 2022.
The “Nigerian Nightmare,” as Usman is called, may appear unstoppable. However, he will have to contend with Chimaev in the coming months, as he is one of the fastest-rising fighters in UFC at the moment.
Chimaev has won ten out of his ten fights and is now seen as someone who has the power, flexibility, and personality to battle the very best in the sport.
Will Fans Get What They Want?
Supporters of the UFC will be hoping that all of the above match-ups take place in 2022. They are eagerly anticipating an excellent season, with many up-and-coming stars taking it to the titleholders in various divisions.
Aside from great title games, UFC fans want to see grudge matches such as the ones outlined above. They want to see fighters making comebacks against dream opponents, or to see two great veterans battle for one last shot at glory.
