![Viacheslav Borshchev (left), Ramiz Brahimaj (right) [Images courtesy: @slavaclaus @ramizb170 on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/01/e3d8a-16420088380488-1920.jpg)
![Viacheslav Borshchev (left), Ramiz Brahimaj (right) [Images courtesy: @slavaclaus @ramizb170 on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UFC is finally back, and is kicking off 2022 with an exciting card headlined by an electric featherweight bout. Clinical boxer Calvin Kattar takes on kickboxing phenom Giga Chikadze in a fight that could have major implications for the future of the 145lb title picture.
Dynamic flyweights also feature, with Brandon Royval vs. Rogerio Bortorin promising to be a fan-friendly brawl. Former title challengers Katlyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia clash in the co-main event as they attempt to get back to get in the title picture.
However, there are a number of fights that are going under the radar for many fans. In the following list, we will shed some light on the names worth keeping an eye on in this weekend'sUFC event.
#5. Joseph 'Ugly Man' Holmes - UFC middleweight
Joseph Holmes could well be the biggest hit or miss pick of this list.
He makes his UFC debut this weekend, taking on Jamie Pickett in a middleweight bout. Holmes will step in on relatively short notice after Pickett's original opponent, Caio Borralho, pulled out of the bout.
Holmes is a natural finisher in fights, with all seven wins coming via stoppage. He hasn't lost a bout since his MMA debut, which took place at Bellator 218. Since then he has picked up multiple wins in numerous promotions. Winning bouts in the afore-mentioned Bellator MMA, as well as Fury FC, LFA and DWCS.
Holmes may be in trouble if Pickett is able to weather the storm, but doing so will be no easy task.
#4. Joanderson 'Turbaro' Brito - UFC featherweight
Another UFC newcomer, Joanderson Brito, cemented his place in the world's largest MMA promotion after he picked up an impressive win against Diego Lopes on DWCS in 2021. Still only 26 years old, Brito signed with promotion carrying an impressive 12-2-1 record.
In his past 12 fights, Brito has gone 11-0-1, with KO's, submissions and decisions all during that stretch helping demonstrate the Brazilian's well roundedness. This weekend he takes on Bill Algeo, a talented veteran with a 14-6 professional record.
The fight promises to be a barn burner, and if Brito is able to come out on top, the featherweight division may be looking at its newest rising star.
#3. Ramiz Brahimaj - UFC welterweight
Ramiz Brahimaj's introduction to the big show was a rough one at best.
The product of Fortis MMA nearly lost an ear in his bout against Max Griffin, forcing a doctor's stoppage. However, Brahimaj bounced back in emphatic fashion, putting Sasha Palatnikov to sleep in his most recent bout.
He now takes on one of the most experienced fighters on the welterweight roster, Court McGee. This will be the ultimate litmus test for Brahimaj, especially when considering that he is a submission specialist. Meanwhile, McGee has never been submitted in his entire 30-fight career.
Brahimaj's results speak for themselves as all nine of his victories have come by some form of submission. Rear-naked chokes, kimuras and guilotines all litter his record.
#2. Saidyokub Kakhramonov - UFC bantamweight
Hailing from Uzbekistan, Saidyokub Kakhramonov made an instant ripple in the UFC's bantamweight division when he submitted Trevin Jones in his promotional debut.
Kakhramonov takes on MMA veteran Brian Kelleher this weekend, who will certainly be his hardest test to date. However, should Kakhramonov overcome the veteran, his place within the division will shoot up, and he may only be a win away from the top 15.
Kakhramonov is currently 9-2, having finished seven of his nine wins. His record is littered with both knockouts and submissions. He also holds a KO win over top LFA prospect Askar Askar, who was set to make his UFC debut last year.
#1. Viacheslav 'Slava Klaus' Borshchev - UFC lightweight
Having recently been offered a contract off the back of an incredible highlight reel finish on Dana White's Contender Series, Viacheslav Borshchev has the potential to become one of the breakout stars of 2022.
Whilst 'Slava Klaus' may only be 5-1 in MMA, he is far from being a novice when it comes to combat sports. Borshchev only made his MMA debut in 2019, prior to which he was a well-known kickboxer, boasting a record of 18-2.
Borshchev appears to have transitioned smoothly over to MMA, having competed in several high-level regional promotions such as Titan FC and LFA. Whilst his past few fights have all ended in KO, Borshchev has previously proved that he is capable of going the full three rounds.
This weekend he takes on Dakota Bush, a gritty technician capable of threatening his opponents wherever the bout takes place. If Borshchev is to live up to his potential, it must start with a dominant victory against Bush.
