5 lesser-known UFC fighters who could move into title contention in 2022

#4. Arman Tsarukyan – UFC lightweight contender

Arman Tsarukyan might be the most underrated fighter in the UFC lightweight division

The UFC lightweight division is probably the promotion’s most loaded when it comes to world class talent. Right now, arguably the hottest contender is Islam Makhachev. The Dagestani has become known as the heir to the throne vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, while he’s currently on an eight-fight win streak, it’s probably also fair to consider the only fighter to really test him as a potential contender too.

The fighter is Arman Tsarukyan. His loss to Makhachev, a tight decision that saw him go takedown-for-takedown with the Dagestani, was his UFC debut. Since then, he’s gone 4-0.

Like Makhachev, Tsarukyan’s primary weapon is his grappling. He’s used his takedowns to grind down the likes of Matt Frevola and Davi Ramos, essentially not giving them a moment to breathe.

In his most recent win, however, Tsarukyan showed off a different aspect of his game entirely. He waylaid the tough Christos Giagos with a series of brutal punches in just over two minutes.

That win, his first finish in the UFC, moved him directly onto the radar of many more UFC fans than his previous wins had done. Somehow he’s still largely flying under the radar.

However, he’d almost certainly stand a chance of beating a number of the fighters currently raked above him, Dan Hooker, Tony Ferguson and Diego Ferreira, for instance. That means it shouldn’t be a shock at all to see him reach title contention in 2022.

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#3. Grant Dawson – UFC lightweight contender

Grant Dawson is unbeaten in the UFC at 5-0

Another rising lightweight contender flying under the radar in terms of making a UFC title run is Grant Dawson. Right now, ‘KGD’ is not even ranked in the top-15, something that will have to change quickly for him to climb to the top. However, he certainly seems to have the potential to make it there in the near future.

Dawson debuted in the UFC back in 2019 as a featherweight and quickly reeled off four wins in a row. The only caveat was his failure to make the 145-pound weight limit on two occasions. It came as no surprise to see him move to 155 pounds earlier this year.

What did surprise some fans was the way in which he dealt with veteran Leonardo Santos, who was unbeaten in the UFC at the time, in his lightweight debut. ‘KGD’ knocked Santos out in the final round of their fight with literally a second remaining.

Admittedly, Dawson remains somewhat unproven against the upper echelon of 155lbers and his next fight against Rick Glenn isn’t likely to change that. However, it’s impossible to sleep on anyone who can reel off five straight wins in the UFC, with three of them coming via finish. If Dawson can deal with Glenn in impressive fashion, it’ll be impossible to ignore him any further.

If he can then beat a ranked opponent in the octagon, the sky could be the limit for him in 2022.