5 bold UFC predictions for 2023
The UFC enjoyed a stellar run in 2022, a historic year for the sport. There was no shortage of jaw-dropping moments inside the octagon last year, setting 2023 up for some huge matchups.
The UFC's first pay-per-view of the year will be underway in Rio de Janeiro this weekend. Over the next few months, the world's premier MMA organization will put on pay-per-views in Australia, the U.S.A. and England, where multiple championships could potentially change hands.
Last year saw shocking comebacks, Hail Mary finishes and some massive upsets, further solidifying MMA's standing as the most unpredictable sport in the world. Nevertheless, as we look ahead to 2023, we thought we'd make some far-out predictions for the year.
Here are five bold predictions for the UFC in 2023.
#5. Leon Edwards will upset Kamaru Usman, again
Leon Edwards turned the MMA world on its head in August last year when he dethroned former foe and pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman in spectacular fashion to win the welterweight strap. Despite Usman dominating the majority of the fight, Edwards produced a last-ditch head-kick knockout to put 'The Nigerian Nightmare' to sleep.
They are now set to run it back in the main event of UFC 286 in London in March. Given that Usman was cruising to a decision win in their title fight last year, he has opened as the betting favorite heading into their trilogy bout. However, Edwards cannot be counted out.
Notably, Edwards looked on-point in the first round of their rematch, even taking Usman down and latching onto his back. However, the high altitude of Salt Lake City clearly affected 'Rocky's cardio, as it did with numerous fighters on the night. Usman crucially trains at altitude in Denver, Colorado, so performed far better than his English counterpart.
In multiple interviews after the fight, Edwards made it clear that the altitude was hugely detrimental to his gas tank. The Brit has been in five-round fights previously and has never looked all that tired. With the rematch set to be contested in England, don't expect their trilogy fight to look anything like the rematch last year.
Edwards' title-winning knockout was as brutal as they come, and it remains to be seen whether Usman will be the same fighter since that devastating loss. The former champion is now 35 years old, having already dealt with a litany of injuries. All things considered if Edwards can avoid the takedown and stay elusive, expect the belt to stay in England.
#4. Khamzat Chimaev will claim UFC middleweight gold
When Khamzat Chimaev broke onto the scene back in 2020, the excitement surrounding the Chechen-born Swede was significant. Chimaev's seek-and-destroy style of fighting resonated with the masses and he is now among the most popular fighters in the sport.
'Borz' bounced back and forth between welterweight and middleweight upon joining the UFC and has now seemingly set his sights on the 170-pound strap. However, it's unlikely he can make that weight much longer, which means he'll likely do his best work at 185.
Whether Khamzat Chimaev pursues the UFC welterweight strap or fully commits to middleweight remains to be seen. His weight-miss debacle prior to UFC 279 last September was far from encouraging for his 170-pound title aspirations, and as such, expect him to move up sooner rather than later.
The UFC middleweight championship is currently held by Alex Pereira, who is set to rematch former longtime champion Israel Adesanya later this year. Whoever emerges victorious, Chimaev will be the betting favorite if he's given a title shot. Both Pereira and Adesanya are strikers, making 'Borz' a nightmare matchup for either one.
Despite never having beaten a ranked middleweight, Chimaev is rightfully seen as the biggest threat to the throne once Pereira and Adesanya settle their rivalry. While this seemingly inevitable prediction may not be very bold, the probability of 'Borz' claiming the 185-pound strap within the next 12 months is slim.
2023 is going to be a massive year for Chimaev, who has a chance to not only hold one but two UFC belts going into 2024.
#3. Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera will run it back for the UFC bantamweight title
When Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera were scheduled to fight one another back in 2020, nobody could've predicted that this rivalry would still be alive and kicking heading into 2023. At the time, O'Malley was an unbeaten rising star who was getting dealt seemingly favorable matchups, while Vera wasn't really considered a prospect with championship potential.
O'Malley sustained a rare and unfortunate injury in the very first round of the bout, allowing Vera to come away with a TKO finish, handing 'Sugar' the lone loss of his career. Almost three years removed from that bout, the bantamweight duo look set to run it back very soon, with a title potentially on the line.
Marlon Vera has really come into his own since his win over Sean O'Malley. The Ecuadorian has beaten Davey Grant, Frankie Edgar, Rob Font and Dominick Cruz in his last four fights to vault himself into the bantamweight top 5. 'Chito' has significantly improved his striking offense under the tutelage of Jason Parillo and is among the most dangerous 135-pounders in the world.
Meanwhile, O'Malley is unbeaten in his last five fights and now holds the No.1 ranking on the bantamweight ladder. His narrow decision win over former champion Petr Yan established 'Sugar' as an elite contender and he looks set to fight for the title this year.
O'Malley will likely be given the winner of the impending Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo title fight, while Vera is slated to take on Cory Sandhagen next month. If they win their respective next fights, a rematch for the UFC bantamweight title featuring the division's most lethal knockout artists could be on the cards by the end of the year.
#2. Conor McGregor will return to winning ways
While 2022 was a memorable year for UFC fans, Conor McGregor's absence from the sport was certainly felt. Irrespective of whether he's fighting for a title or not, McGregor's drawing ability is undisputed and as such, his return is much anticipated.
The last time McGregor returned from a lengthy hiatus, he delivered one of the best performances of his career, dispatching Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds back in 2020. This is notably the last win on his record.
Conor McGregor has been out of action since his loss to Dustin Poirier in 2021, when he suffered a gruesome foot injury. The Irishman took 2022 off as he rehabilited his foot and is now primed for a return to action in 2023.
As expected, there's no shortage of opponents throwing their names in the hat for a McGregor fight. 'The Notorious' has been called out by countless fighters already, with Michael Chandler seemingly the frontrunner.
Chandler has established himself as one of the most entertaining fighters on the roster since signing with the UFC three years ago. A fight against McGregor would be absolutely massive, and would offer the former two-division UFC champion a chance to return to winning ways.
While Chandler does pose a wrestling threat, his all-action style makes this matchup all the more enticing, especially if it's contested at welterweight. Despite there being no belts on the line, this has the potential to be the biggest fight of 2023, and McGregor will be desperate to return to the win column.
#1. Jon Jones will cement his status as the GOAT
Jon Jones is gearing up for a historic 2023. After a turbulent yet gold-laden championship run in the UFC light heavyweight division, Jones vacated his title and spent the next three years preparing himself for a highly anticipated heavyweight move.
'Bones' will contest the vacant title in March against former interim champion Ciryl Gane, and if he comes out on top, the entire GOAT debate becomes even more lopsided.
If we're looking exclusively at in-cage performances and accomplishments, no fighter comes even remotely close to Jon Jones. If you ignore his prior issues with USADA, run-ins with law enforcement, and overall bad-boy persona, there really isn't an argument for anyone else in the GOAT debate.
Since winning the 205-pound strap back in 2011, Jones has only ever competed in championship fights, an unprecedented feat. His claim to be the greatest ever would be undeniable if he resumes his scorching run of championship wins in the heavyweight division.
Jones has already outlined his plans for the immediate future. He will look to beat Ciryl Gane in March and defend his belt against former champion Stipe Miocic in the summer. If he pulls it off, the GOAT debate is unequivocally over.
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