With 2021 almost done and dusted, we look at some of the most intriguing UFC bouts we’d like to see in 2022 - that are yet to be made. There’s plenty of options given the level of competition throughout the promotion, and some do feel some way off, but it’s a wish list. So we’re allowed to have some fun …
Kamaru Usman v Khamzat Chimaev
The sport’s No 1 pound-for-pound athlete against the hype train currently motoring with most momentum? Yes please. Usman is working his way towards “greatest of all-time” status, unbeaten in 15 UFC appearances and now lapping the welterweight division as champion. Chimaev, meanwhile, burst on to the scene in Abu Dhabi last year, won again 10 days later, and has overcome Covid-19 to vault to 4-0 in the company. His win against Li Jingliang in the capital in October was as terrifying as it was impressive.
Conor McGregor v Nate Diaz 3
One of the biggest rivalries in UFC history, with the series level at 1-1? What’s not to like? McGregor and Diaz met twice in five months in 2016, with the former two-division champion losing the first by submission and then winning an epic rematch on points. OK, it’s five years since – soon to be six – and both are coming off successive defeats, but this remains the most money-spinning fight the UFC could make. Surely, it will happen at some stage.
Charles Oliveira v Justin Gaethje
Unquestionably the fight to make in the lightweight division. Oliveira is coming off a stunningly successful first title defence against Dustin Poirier this month, and Gaethje picked apart Michael Chandler in November in a Fight of the Year contender. UFC president Dana White says this will be next, with the two potential rivals since exchanging barbs. The talk is Brazil in May, with Gaethje openly wanting to go into Oliveira’s back yard to take the belt. Guaranteed fireworks.
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Charles Oliveira reacts after defeating Dustin Poirier by submission to defend his UFC lightweight title at UFC 269, Saturday, December 11, 2021, in Las Vegas. AP Photo -
Charles Oliveira, top, pounds Dustin Poirier. AP Photo -
Dustin Poirier, left, fights Charles Oliveira. AP Photo -
Charles Oliveira, left, fights Dustin Poirier. AP Photo -
Charles Oliveira celebrates after defeating Dustin Poirier. AP Photo -
Charles Oliveira reacts after defeating Dustin Poirier by submission in a lightweight mixed martial arts title bout at UFC 269. AP Photo -
Charles Oliveira pins Dustin Poirier to the mat. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira, left, moves in with a hit against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Dustin Poirier moves in with a hit against Charles Oliveira. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira moves in with a hit against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira pins Dustin Poirier to the mat. Reuters -
Dustin Poirier moves in with a hit against Charles Oliveira. Reuters -
Dustin Poirier moves in with a hit against Charles Oliveira. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira moves in with an elbow hit against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Dustin Poirier lands a hit against Charles Oliveira. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira moves in with a hit against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira applies a hold against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Dustin Poirier reacts following his loss by submission against Charles Oliveira. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira celebrates his victory by submission against Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira celebrates his victory. Reuters -
Charles Oliveira celebrates his victory by submission against Dustin Poirier. Reuters -
Amanda Nunes moves in with a hit against Julianna Pena. Reuters -
Julianna Pena moves in with a hit against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Julianna Pena moves in with a hit against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Julianna Pena moves in with a hit against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Julianna Pena moves in with a hit against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Julianna Pena defends against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Amanda Nunes applies a hold against Julianna Pena. Reuters -
Julianna Pena, top, submits Amanda Nunes during their women's bantamweight title bout. AP Photo -
Amanda Nunes reacts following her loss by submission against Julianna Pena at UFC 269. Reuters -
Julianna Pena is declared the winner by submission against Amanda Nunes. Reuters -
Julianna Pena celebrates her victory by submission against Amanda Nunes to claim the UFC women's bantamweight title. Reuters -
Amanda Nunes reacts following her loss by submission against Julianna Pena. Reuters -
Santiago Ponzinbbio moves in with a hit as Geoff Neal defends. Reuters -
Santiago Ponzinbbio lands a hit against Geoff Neal. Reuters -
Geoff Neal lands a hit against Santiago Ponzinbbio. Reuters -
Santiago Ponzinbbio moves in for a hit against Geoff Neal. Reuters -
Santiago Ponzinbbio lands a hit against Geoff Neal. Reuters -
Geoff Neal is declared the winner by split decision against Santiago Ponzinbbio. Reuters -
Santiago Ponzinbbio takes down Geoff Neal. Reuters -
Geoff Neal lands a kick against Santiago Ponzinbbio. Reuters -
Geoff Neal lands a hit against Santiago Ponzinbbio. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley lands a hit against Raulian Paiva. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley reacts following his TKO victory against Raulian Paiva. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley is declared the winner by TKO against Raulian Paiva. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley celebrates. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley punches Raulian Paiva. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley defends against Raulian Paiva at T-Mobile Arena. Reuters -
Sean O'Malley, left, defeats Raulian Paiva via TKO during a bantamweight bout at UFC 269. AP Photo
Francis Ngannou v Jon Jones
Granted, heavyweight champion Ngannou has a blockbuster matchup next month with the fast-rising Ciryl Gane, but get through that and a mouth-watering meeting with Jones more than whets the appetite. Jones has yet to compete at heavyweight having ruled the light-heavyweight division for years, and is regarded by many as the greatest of all-time. Ngannou, meanwhile, is frighteningly powerful. Dispatch No 1 contender Gane at UFC 270, and welcoming Jones into the big-boys domain must be next.
Alexander Volkanovski v Max Holloway 3
OK, so a 2-0 series doesn’t exactly scream trilogy, but that’s looking past the previous two bouts. Volkanovski defeated then-champion Holloway by unanimous decision in December 2019, then again in Abu Dhabi last year – this time a controversial split decision. Both have since put on brilliant performances: Volkanovski against Brian Ortega and Holloway against Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez. So a third clash, with the champ versus the No 1-ranked contender, would be absorbing – and extremely lucrative.
Julianna Pena v Amanda Nunes 2
This month’s shock victory for Pena could lay claim to represent the greatest upset in UFC history. Pena, a huge underdog going into UFC 269, stunned the two-division champion in the second round, winning by rear-naked choke to take the bantamweight title. Was it a fluke? Did Nunes, unbeaten in 12 fights going back seven years and widely considered the greatest female of all-time, underestimate her opponent? Now a mother, has she lost focus? The MMA world would certainly love to see how Nunes responds.
Colby Covington v Jorge Masvidal
A friends-to-foes rivalry that’s been bubbling for years ticks all the boxes, even if Covington has lost two of his past three and Masvidal his past two. All four losses, though, were dished out by Usman. What’s more, the beef between these former roommates is said to be as real as it gets. Covington ranks as the No 1 welterweight challenger and is incredibly skilled. Facing off against a huge fan favourite, underpinned by genuine enmity, is a script that writes itself.
