5 trilogy fights we need to see in the UFC in 2022

#2. Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 – UFC welterweight division

The rivalry between Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz has produced some of the most memorable moments in UFC history. They are the two biggest stars in the sport at the moment, despite their recent shortcomings.

The first time McGregor and Diaz fought, ‘The Notorious’ was on an incredible tear in the UFC's featherweight division. The Irishman was coming off a sensational 13-second KO victory over then-featherweight champion Jose Aldo. He was set to fight then-lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in pursuit of champ-champ status at UFC 196.

However, dos Anjos was forced to pull out of the bout less than two weeks before the event due to a foot injury. Nate Diaz, the TUF season 5 winner and brother of MMA legend Nick Diaz, stepped in on short notice as a replacement for the 155 lbs champion. The bout was contested at welterweight as Diaz didn’t have enough time to make the lightweight limit.

Many expected McGregor to walk through Diaz. However, the Stockton native shocked the world as he choked out his Irish counterpart in the second round, handing the then-featherweight champion his first loss in the UFC.

Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz locked horns in a rematch at UFC 202, just five months after their first bout. McGregor dominated Diaz in the opening three rounds, knocking him down to the canvas several times with his infamous left straight. Nevertheless, Diaz survived and swarmed McGregor in the last two rounds.

The Irishman came away with a majority-decision victory and acknowledged Diaz's durability in his post-fight interview. He told Joe Rogan:

"He [Diaz] took them better than I expected. He didn't show, he didn't let me know [that he was hurt]. In the first three rounds, I proved the class difference. I was [on] another level to him. And then that toughness and that durability that he has crept back in the later rounds but I'm still happy to come away with the win. Hell of a fight! He's a hell of a competitor. [He] Brought out the best in me."

Watch McGregor and Diaz's post-fight interviews below:

This iconic rivalry deserves a fitting ending. It would be a travesty if a trilogy bout never comes to fruition.

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#1. Francis Ngannou vs. Stipe Miocic 3 – UFC heavyweight division

Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic have shared an incredibly memorable rivalry over the last four years. Ngannou went on an incredible six-fight winning streak between 2015 and 2017 to earn a shot at Miocic’s heavyweight title.

The Cameroonian’s stunning run comprised five knockout victories and one submission. He gained a reputation for possessing an incredible amount of power in his strikes. He was even the betting favorite going into his championship bout against the reigning champion.

At UFC 220, Stipe Miocic put on a clinic against Francis Ngannou, dominating him for 25 minutes en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Ngannou’s poor wrestling and limited gas tank were exposed by Miocic. ‘The Predator’ suffered his first loss in the promotion at the hands of the champion and has since credited his undeniable improvements over the last few years to that fateful defeat in 2018.

Francis Ngannou has since learned to use his power more effectively, setting up traps before throwing bombs. After putting together another scintillating winning streak, he secured another title shot. KO/TKO victories over Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruik saw ‘The Predator’ take on Stipe Miocic in a rematch at UFC 260 in 2021.

Ngannou knocked Miocic out in brutal fashion to become the new heavyweight champion.

Stipe Miocic is considered the greatest heavyweight champion in UFC history. No other heavyweight champion in promotional history has defended the belt as many times as the Cleveland native.

With his rivalry with Francis Ngannou standing at 1-1, a rubber match will determine who the best heavyweight of the modern era really is.