We’re now officially in 2022, but the UFC is still organizing plenty of action-packed fight cards for us in the early months of the new year! As a result, we’ve got some highly-anticipated clashes very soon – including the heavyweight title fight between Francis Ngannou & Ciryl Gane.
Here, we’re going to take a look at six potential fights to happen inside the octagon over the next 12 months. Granted, some clashes are more far-fetched than others, but there are a couple that are also very likely – they just haven’t been officially confirmed. Here are six potential fights that we would like to see in the UFC in 2022!
Tony Ferguson vs Michael Chandler (Lightweight)
There are multiple reports that Ferguson vs Chandler is already in the works for later this year. Tony Ferguson has since turned to social media to address the situation. Ferguson said: “There’s my b****!!! The Brass relayed your message saying you would be ready for me April/June.
“Looks like your trying to delay that ass-whoopin’ I owe ya for cutting in line kid – it’s wrestling season MF, man up – Champ”.
Of course, this prompted a response, with Chandler replying: “I’ll beat you from bell to bell. Pray for a merciful ref. We shall see if this fight happens”. As it stands, it may be confirmed by ‘The Brass’ Dana White sooner, rather than later.
Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena 2 (Women’s Bantamweight)
After Julianna Peña shook up the world at UFC 269 last month, it’s likely that we’ll be looking at an immediate rematch between the two. ‘The Lioness’ Amanda Nunes will be out for revenge, after being stopped by Peña in the second round of their bout in December.
The submission by ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ early in the second round shocked the UFC world, and is currently being considered as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport – and rightly so. Now, it looks like there will be a rematch for the two already in the works – we’re already excited for this sequel.
Leon Edwards vs Jorge Masvidal (Welterweight)
The welterweight bout between Leon Edwards & Jorge Masvidal was originally scheduled as part of the UFC 269 fight card. However, Masvidal was forced to withdraw from the fight due to injury, and as a result Edwards did not fight anyone to end the year. Still on an eight-fight winning streak, the British welterweight will probably have his battle with Masvidal.
Following the news of Masvidal’s injury, Edwards took to Twitter: “Disappointed but honestly I knew this fraud didn’t want to fight me anyway. He was just a stop off on the way to the title”. Once ‘Gamebred’ is healthy, it could be on the cards for this fight to happen after all.
Sean O’Malley vs Cody Garbrandt (Flyweight/Bantamweight)
Both Sean O’Malley & Cody Garbrandt featured in UFC 269’s fight card. ‘Suga’ Sean moved up to the No.12 ranked bantamweight fighter after his first-round knockout win against Raulian Paiva. Having made a name for himself so early on in his UFC career, O’Malley is one fighter certainly on the rise.
Cody No Love made his flyweight debut at UFC 269, but was defeated by Kai Kara-France in the opening round. However, during the 269 pre-fight press conference, the two were separated after having an impromptu faceoff, as well as plenty of words between the two. Could these two fight inside the octagon in 2022?
Colby Covington vs Khamzat Chimaev (Welterweight)
For the past couple of years, Khamzat Chimaev has been one of the best fighters on the rise in the welterweight division. With an undefeated record at 10-0, he’s certainly one to watch. Chimaev has put the division on notice, and he’s not slowing down.
Now, despite Colby Covington losing to champ Kamaru Usman, he is still the No.1 ranked challenger in the welterweight division. This clash may be more far-fetched than others, with Chimaev currently at No.12. With that said, however, Chimaev isn’t one that thinks so. He has called out ‘Chaos’ Colby with a number of social media posts. Will Colby take the challenge from the Swede?
Dustin Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2 (Lightweight)
Back in 2018, Dustin Poirier & Justin Gaethje battled it out inside the octagon in what was arguably the best fight of 2018 in the UFC. Officially, the UFC ranked the fight as No.2, but many news sites ran their own polls, and the lightweight clash ranked top of the fights of the year. Now, almost four years have passed since the two shared the octagon, and there is a possibility that they may fight again soon.
While nothing has been reported, both Poirier & Gaethje have been in and around the top contenders of the division. With Poirier’s loss to Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 269, Gaethje could emerge as a top contender for the title, but may need to get past Poirier first. Here, we’d love to see a rematch between two of the best current fighters.
Special Mention: Islam Makhachev
Speaking of the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev is another talent around the top of the contenders list, and his rise in the division is likely to continue. The Russian lightweight hasn’t lost since 2015, and most recently beat Dan Hooker back in October 2021. Makhachev’s next challenge is when he fights on Saturday 26th February against the No.3 ranked Beneil Dariush – watch this space.
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