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2021 in the UFC has seen many of MMA's big stars stay at the top of their game while a number of new stars have joined the sport's elite. With that being said, it's also seen a number of notable absentees from some of the sport's biggest names.
A number of former champions did not grace the octagon for the duration of 2021. While 2022 may be too soon for some to make a return, for others it may be the year we see them back fighting in the UFC.
In the fight game it's not unusual for stars to face lengthy spells on the sidelines. Typically, this is due to injuries given the sport's violent nature, but we've also seen politics, financial disputes and legal issues creating hurdles for fighters.
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Here are 5 inactive fighters we can expect to return to the octagon in 2022, ranked just how likely we are to see them back in the UFC:
#5. Jon Jones - Former UFC light heavyweight champion
Many consider Jon Jones the greatest fighter of all time, however, 2021 was most certainly not his year. For the first time since the beginning of his professional career, Jones did not fight a single time in the calendar year. He was also arrested in September whilst attending the UFC's Hall of Fame ceremony.
That's not to say we should write the former light heavyweight champion off. He has stated he was taking 2022 off to bulk up for a move to heavyweight and recently suggested he would be returning to wrestle AEW's Jake Hager.
However, that no longer appears to be the case and his move up to heavyweight is still yet to materialize. On top of the financial disputes Jones has had with the UFC recently, 'Bones' continues to struggle to stay out of trouble away from the octagon and it remains to be seen if we will see Jon Jones return to the UFC in 2022.
#4. Henry Cejudo - Former two-division UFC champion
For a while, it looked as though Henry Cejudo would make a UFC return in 2021, when there was speculation about a potential featherweight title bout between himself and the champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
While that no longer looks likely, this was the first time since Cejudo's retirement that there seemed to be some demand for his return. With Max Holloway not desperate for his own title shot, fans and media seemed intrigued by a potential Cejudo-Volkanovski fight.
If Cejudo can capitalize on this interest, perhaps he will be able to negotiate a return to the UFC in 2022. The recent indication that 'Triple C' would be willing to make a full-time return to the sport might pique the interest of Dana White and co.
#3. Gunnar Nelson - UFC welterweight contender
Gunnar Nelson has been away from the octagon for some time now, with his most recent fight being a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns in September 2019. However, his return to the UFC now appears to be near.
Recently, both Nelson and his coach, John Kavanagh, have suggested 'Gunni' will be looking to secure a fight when the UFC returns to London on March 2022. Nelson even went as far as to suggest Khamzat Chimaev as an opponent.
Some may forget that Gunnar Nelson was once one of the top submission specialists in the UFC. Nelson has seven submission victories in the UFC and even fought Leon Edwards to a split decision in his penultimate bout prior to his lengthy absence through injury.
While all this sounds very promising, in a sport where injuries are a daily occurrence, staying healthy until March may be a tougher task than you might initially think. Here's hoping his injury woes are now behind him and we do indeed see Gunnar Nelson return to the UFC in 2022.
#2. Luke Rockhold - Former UFC middleweight champion
Luke Rockhold has not fought since July 2019 when his attempt to move up to light heavyweight was ended by a knockout loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 239. He was scheduled to return in November of 2021 but was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Sean Strickland due to herniated discs in his back.
The injury Rockhold is dealing with is undoubtedly serious but it should not keep him out of action for all of 2022.
The fact he was just a month away from getting back in the cage should give fans some hope that when he gets back to full health we will see him back in the octagon.
The former middleweight champion could return to the octagon sometime next year. With a resume as decorated as Rockhold's, you would imagine he will face a ranked contender right away.
#1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk - Former UFC strawweight champion
Joanna Jedrzejczyk's last bout in the UFC was heralded as the greatest fight in the history of women's MMA. However, following that fight in March 2020 Jedrzejczyk did not return to the octagon in 2021.
Jedrzejczyk may have been removed from the UFC rankings but remains very much in the picture as one of the world's best strawweights. She has stated her desire to return to the octagon in early 2022 and should immediately be in the title picture.
If not a title fight, potential clashes for her could include rematches with any of Zhang Weili, Carla Esparza or even Jessica Andrade. With no current obstacles preventing a Jedrzejczyk return, look for the former champ to be back fighting in 2022.
