5 most exciting divisions in the UFC right now

#4. UFC women's strawweight division

The UFC women’s strawweight division is the most competitive division in all of women’s MMA. Rose Namajunas sits atop the 115 lbs weight class and is primed to become a long-reigning champion. However, there is a litany of top talent on the rise in the division and Namajunas has her work cut out for her if she is to continue defending her belt.

Former champions Zhang Weili and Joanna Jędrzejczyk have both suffered losses to the reigning queen. Nevertheless, both Weili and Jędrzejczyk are among the best female fighters to have ever graced the octagon.

Jędrzejczyk won the title in 2015 and defended it five times before losing to Namajunas at UFC 217 in 2017. The Polish phenom is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with and could easily return to her best.

Weili is among the most powerful fighters in the 115 lbs division and arguably won her second fight with Namajunas, irrespective of what the judges scored their bout. Regardless, the difference in talent and ability between the Chinese powerhouse and Namajunas is minimal.

Weili and Jędrzejczyk are rumored to be squaring off at some point in 2022 in a rematch. Their first fight won the 'Fight of the Year' accolade in 2020.

Carla Esparza was the first-ever champion of the women’s strawweight division and remains an ominous presence in the weight class. ‘Cookie Monster’ is undeniably the best wrestler at 115 lbs, a strong asset in a division seemingly brimming with strikers.

Additionally, the former TUF winner has a win over the reigning champion, Rose Namajunas. The duo are set to lock horns in 2022 as well.

Brazilian kickboxer Marina Rodriguez, Chinese ace Yan Xiaonan and grappling wiz Mackenzie Dern are also on the rise at 115 lbs. The trio will more than likely enter the title picture in the coming years as they continue to improve. Keep an eye out for surging prospects like Amanda Lemos and Luana Pinheiro as well.

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#3. UFC men’s featherweight division

The UFC’s featherweight division houses some of the most exciting fighters in the world. Considering almost all the fighters in the weight class are deadly strikers and lethal finishers, the matchmakers can randomly select any two opponents and we’ll have ourselves a mouth-watering matchup.

Alexander Volkanovski is the reigning champion of the division. His back-to-back wins over Max Holloway and his most recent victory over Brian Ortega have cemented the Australian’s status as the best fighter in the division. ‘The Great’ has vowed to stay champion for a long time to come and has no shortage of opponents waiting in the wings.

Max Holloway, the former king of the featherweights, is more or less on par with Alexander Volkanovski atop the division. ‘Blessed’ may have lost to his Aussie counterpart twice, but most fans are well aware that both bouts were razor-thin decisions.

Instead of angling for a third fight against Volkanovski, Holloway opted to take on rising contenders Calvin Kattar and Yair Rodriguez in 2021, defeating them both via unanimous decision in two scintillating bouts.

The Hawaiian is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He is expected to take on Volkanovski in a trilogy bout at some point in 2022.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu prodigy Brian Ortega, Mexican kickboxer Yair Rodriguez, South Korean legend Chan Sung Jung and rising Georgian contender Giga Chikadze are all fan-favorites for their all-action styles of fighting. All four are among the elite at 145 lbs and will likely compete in championship bouts in the coming years.

Additionally, Russian phenom Zabit Magomedsharipov is expected to make his long-awaited return to the octagon at some point in 2022. Magomedsharipov is unbeaten in the UFC and is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the division.

Undefeated prospects Bryce Mitchell, Movsar Evloev and Ilia Topuria are also expected to emerge as title contenders down the line. The 145 lbs division is unquestionably in a very healthy state for many years to come.