A new sporting year has everyone looking ahead to what lies in front of them. As with every year in the MMA scene, there are many exciting match ups that are hot on the fans’ lips.
UFC 270 kicks off the year in style at the end of January and there are some intriguing contests on the card. But what about the rest of the year? Which fights are the public desperate to see in the UFC’s famed Octagon and elsewhere, in 2022?
Table of Contents
Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz 3
After much speculation surrounding whether he will fight again, it seems that Conor McGregor still has a future with UFC. In 2021, he lost two fights in succession for the first time in his career, while a serious leg injury sustained against Dustin Poirier left questions on the table over how long it would take McGregor to return, if at all!
According to some media outlets, a trilogy fight against Nate Diaz would be McGregor’s most plausible next move. In their first clash back in 2016, Diaz caused one of the biggest shocks in the sport when he handed McGregor his first ever UFC loss.
The rematch was swiftly organised, with McGregor aiming for revenge later in the year at UFC 202. The Irishman got his redemption, as he ground out a hard fought decision in one of the most exciting fights of the year. The rivals now stand 1-1.
What would be the likely outcome of a third encounter between these two men? While there are no markets open as yet, UFC betting sites affiliated such as Asiabet.org are likely to make Nate Diaz the favourite. However, other sites may well have Conor as the betting favourite.
If McGregor v Diaz 3 were to happen, this is the place to be but what other battles does 2022 have in store?
Usman Nurmagomedov v Benson Henderson
It’s always tough to live up to the family name, especially when it’s as big as that of Nurmagomedov. A cousin of Khabib, Usman Nurmagomedov has just done enough to suggest that he can enjoy a stellar MMA career of his own.
He’s only 23 and is just three fights into his Bellator career but a record of 14-0 suggests he can go far. As a veteran fighter, 38-year-old Benson Henderson can provide the experience that can test Usman Nurmagomedov and see if he has what it takes to move forward.
Khamzat Chimaev v Colby Covington
While this championship bout has yet to be confirmed, it’s one of the more likely suggestions for 2022. This fight would depend on the outcome of recently confirmed grudge match between Covington & Masvidal. Should Covington win this fight, and should Chimaev continue his tear through the welterweight division, it may well be set up for later in 2022.
In just four UFC fights, Sweden’s Chimaev is undefeated and he’s suffered just two strikes in that time. It’s felt that a number of potential contenders are running scared but that won’t be the case with the combative Colby Covington.
Dominick Cruz v Jose Aldo
With Jose Aldo now a regular bantamweight contender, these two fighters, who were previously in different weight classes, may now get the chance to fight. Aldo has rebuilt himself as a bantamweight, after a storied career at featherweight. He comes into 2022 on the back of a three-fight winning streak and he’s enjoying fine form once more.
Cruz’s most recent defeat came against the then-champion of this division, Henry Cejudo. Maybe there wouldn’t be too much resting on it but Cruz v Aldo would be a fascinating match up.
