The Ultimate Fighting Championship will have a huge 2022, but there are still many blockbuster fights that the MMA leader has yet to make.
The premier promotion in mixed martial arts is about to kick-start their pay-per view schedule on January 2022.
UFC will begin their pay-per view schedule on January 22
Francis Ngannou, heavyweight champion, will defend his belt against Cyril Gane, interim champ.
The UFC 271 will see Israel Adesanya, a rising superstar, renew his rivalry against Robert Whittaker, a former middleweight king.
The UFC has dominated the first quarter 2022, but there are still many blockbuster fights to be had.
SunSport felt it was only right to include seven fights that we must see next year.
Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor IV
Conor McGregor has lost his series with Dustin Pourier 2-1. However, it is still a worthy fight considering their last trilogy fight.
McGregor's horrific leg injury in round one of their July rubber match raised more questions than it answered.
Poirier was clearly losing his cool, but it was impossible to say with certainty that he was going for the raise.
McGregor has a history of making second-round comebacks. His UFC 189 win over Chad Mendes is a testimony to this fact.
A fourth fight between these two is inevitable because of the bad blood and the what-ifs.
It's possible that it will come to fruition, given Poirier’s defeat to Charles Oliveira the champion.
Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns
Despite his Covid-enforced stop from the octagon, the steam train of Khamzat Chimaev continued to roll in 2021.
Borz dominated Li Jingliang, who was previously ranked No11 at UFC 267 in order to consolidate his status as an elite Welterweight.
He must also face Gilbert Burns, the Brazilian grappling phenom, if he is to climb up the ranks faster and fight for the title at the end of the year.
SunSport believes the match-up was planned last month. However, it appears to have been abandoned.
It is exciting to think of the two grappling gurus facing off against each other.
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Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou
Jon Jones will make his long-awaited debut as a heavyweight champion next year, now that all of his legal issues are resolved.
Bones is focusing on Gane's January clash against Ngannou.
If Ngannou beats his former team-mate then the UFC should do everything possible to put The Predator in an epic showdown with Bones.
Jones's body of work at just 205lbs has earned Jones the right to enter a title shot regardless of Ngannou or Gane.
Let's pray that his problems with the UFC are resolved and he can face Ngannou, who, stylistically, fans believe, will be the winner.
Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards's UFC gold crack is one of the most mysterious in UFC history.
The brutal, soft-spoken Brummie bruiser is unbeaten in his last ten fights. He was on an 8-fight win streak prior to his no-contest with Belal Muhammad in March.
Rocky did more than enough to win a rematch against Kamaru Usman (welterweight king), who was responsible for his second defeat in the Octagon.
It's time for meritocracy to return to the sport, and it's time that the slick southpaw gets his chance at revenge.
Jorge Masvidal vs Colby Covington
Jorge Masvidal, former best friends and now rivals, has been exchanging emails for over two years.
Masvidal claims that the feud began when Covington refused payment to one of his coaches to fight Rafael dos Anjos for his interim title fight at welterweight in 2018.
The former roommates have been arguing verbally in the media ever since, with Covington calling his friend 'Street Judas.'
This heat between the needle-movers is very real, and can bring in a lot of money to the UFC.
They would be wise to give the fights that both men long for.
Nate Diaz vs Vicente Luque
Nate Diaz still has one fight on his UFC contract. Why not make it a barnburner!
The Ultimate Fighter Season Five winner was keen to face Vincente Luque, a fellow scrapper, months before the showdown.
A bout with the Brazilian would be exactly the kind of matchup Diaz would excel in. Fans want it. Both the men and the fans want it. The UFC brass seems to be unwilling to allow it for some bizarre reason.
They may want Diaz to be on the ice in case McGregor returns. Who knows?
They could also take advantage of Diaz's starpower by having him join a Luque dog friend.
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Sean O'Malley against Cody Garbrandt
Sean O'Malley, a rising bantamweight prospect, is poised to establish himself as a serious contender for the bantamweight title next year.
Why not challenge Cody Garbrandt, a former champion? Both have huge followings and show real dislike for each other.
Their viral fight at the UFC 269 press conference earlier in the month only increased fans' anticipation for the match-up.
It would also be a great reward for the victor. O'Malley would be able to win against the respected former champion and climb up the ranks of the stacked bantamweight section's top five.
Gabrandt is now 1-5 in six of his last six fights after a devastating loss to Kai Kara-France in his flyweight debut. A win over Suga would help his stock soar and get him back on track to reclaiming his 135lb belt.
All the seeds have been planted for an O'Malley-vs. Garbrandt fight that will be fan-friendly. Let's pray that the UFC does not lose this fight.
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