5 UFC fighters who could become double champions in 2022

Becoming a UFC champion is the epitome of success in mixed martial arts. There have been over 100 different champions in the promotion since its inception in 1993. However, there have only been seven double champions throughout the history of the UFC.

Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo are the only fighters to have won titles in two different weight classes.

Fighters like T.J. Dillashaw, Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya have tried and failed at becoming two-division champions, highlighting just how hard the feat is.

That said, we thought we'd look at five UFC fighters who could become double champions in 2022.

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#5. Khamzat Chimaev – UFC welterweight and middleweight

Khamzat Chimaev is undoubtedly the hottest prospect in the UFC right now.

The Russian-born Swedish phenom made waves in the MMA community with a couple of dominant performances in Abu Dhabi in 2020. Subsequently, Chimaev took on Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley. 'Borz' knocked Meerschaert out just 17 seconds into the bout, establishing himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in years.

In 2021, Chimaev was booked to fight No.11-ranked Li Jingliang at UFC 267 on Fight Island. Many believed that the durable Chinese welterweight, who had never been finished in the UFC, would pose a threat to Chimaev and that the bout would be a conclusive litmus test to show whether he was a legitimate title contender.

Chimaev secured a double-leg takedown and effortlessly choked out Jingliang in the very first round of their bout.

There was no doubt after the bout that Khamzat Chimaev is a real threat to Kamaru Usman's reign as the UFC welterweight champion. His background in sambo-style wrestling, coupled with his underrated striking and relentless aggression, will prove to be a real handful for anyone in the 170 lbs and 185 lbs divisions.

Chimaev is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC, making him an incredibly tough matchup for anyone he fights. At just 27 years of age, it's scary to think that ‘Borz’ still has a lot to learn and is not even close to his prime.

Considering the fact that the UFC recognizes they have a superstar on their hands, as well as Chimaev's desire to stay active, it isn't out of the realm of possibility that he goes into 2023 as a two-division champion.

#4. Israel Adesanya – UFC middleweight champion

Israel Adesanya, the reigning UFC middleweight champion, has already made one attempt at becoming a double champion in the promotion. In 2021, Adesanya took on then-light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259. He came up short on that occasion, losing via unanimous decision.

While the striking exchanges were competitive, Adesanya struggled against the size and weight of Blachowicz on the mat. The Kiwi weighed in at 200.5 lbs and didn't cut any weight. Meanwhile, his Polish counterpart cut down to the light heavyweight limit of 205 lbs and likely ballooned up to 220 lbs on fight night.

Adesanya has teased a return to the light heavyweight division on quite a few occasions. Looking at the fighters atop the weight class at the moment, the likes of Glover Texeira and Magomed Ankalaev pose a real threat to 'The Last Stylebender', considering their grappling prowess.

Adesanya will need to bulk up if he is to have a legitimate shot at gold at 205 lbs. Additionally, he will need to improve his takedown defense in order to avoid being dragged down to the canvas again. If he can keep the fight on the feet, very few fighters can outstrike the former kickboxing world champion.

Israel Adesanya is running out of challengers in the middleweight division. He could opt to focus entirely on a permanent move up to light heavyweight in the near future.

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#3. Alexander Volkanovski – UFC men's featherweight champion

Alexander Volkanovski is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. The Australian is riding an astonishing 20-fight winning streak and is a stylistic nightmare for almost anyone he goes up against.

Under the tutelage of Eugene Bareman and the coaching staff at New Zealand's City Kickboxing, Volkanovski has emerged as one of the savviest strikers in the UFC. Testament to this notion is the fact that he has outstruck former featherweight champion Max Holloway twice, a fighter famous for drowning his opponents with his endless volume-striking.

In his fight against Chad Mendes at UFC 232, Volkanovski showed he can hang with a seasoned wrestler quite easily. His background in rugby, a notoriously rough and rugged sport, has contributed to his explosiveness and toughness. He has also showcased his otherworldly resilience in extremely dangerous positions, most recently against Brian Ortega at UFC 266.

Interestingly, Volkanovski has competed in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions over the course of his MMA career. In fact, his solitary loss came in a welterweight bout in his native Australia back in 2013.

He has hinted at a move to the UFC's 155 lbs weight class on quite a few occasions.

The lightweight division is already the most stacked weight class in the UFC right now. Things could get even more interesting at 155 lbs if 'The Great' chooses to make the move up.

#2. Valentina Shevchenko – UFC women's flyweight champion

Valentina Shevchenko has established herself as one of the best fighters in the UFC in recent years, irrespective of gender. The lifelong martial artist has enjoyed an incredible career so far. The Kyrgyzstani phenom is one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, having defended her flyweight title six times.

However, Shevchenko spent almost half her UFC career competing at bantamweight before dropping down to the 125 lbs division. Despite clearly being undersized, ‘Bullet’ emerged as one of the best fighters in the bantamweight division, picking up wins over Holly Holm and Julianna Pena.

In fact, it was Shevchenko and Amanda Nunes who were the clear-cut best fighters in the division. The duo locked horns twice, with Nunes securing a unanimous decision victory in the first and a split-decision in the second. However, many believe Shevchenko should have come out on top in their second bout.

Shevchenko’s impressive bantamweight run pre-dated the UFC’s flyweight division altogether. When the division was eventually created, she secured a title shot with a win over Priscila Cachoeira and took on Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title at UFC 231, where she came out on top. She has been defending her 125 lbs title ever since.

In one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, Julianna Pena choked out Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. Considering Shevchenko already has a win over Pena, she could look to return to the 135 lbs division once again and challenge for the title. Who knows? Perhaps a trilogy bout with Amanda Nunes is on the cards as well.

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#1. Jon Jones – Former UFC light heavyweight champion

Arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history, Jon Jones, looks set to finally return to the octagon sometime in 2022. The former light heavyweight champion is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

Following his final title defense at 205 lbs against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, Jones opted to vacate the belt and subsequently set his sights on the heavyweight division. Ever since then, 'Bones' has been packing on quite a bit of size and muscle as he prepares to make the move up.

Speaking to ESPN MMA, Jon Jones shared that he intends to be as big as the current heavyweights in the division. He said:

“I’m 255 [pounds] right now. I’d like to get to 270 and cut down to 265. I just don’t want to feel smaller than any of the other guys [in the heavyweight division]. I want to be more conditioned, more skilled and just as strong, if not the strongest guy.”

Watch Jon Jones’ interview with ESPN MMA below:

With Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane set to lock horns in a title-unification bout at UFC 270 in January, Jones will be eyeing the winner as he looks to make his much-anticipated return to the cage.

Irrespective of who he goes up against, Jon Jones has the skillset to beat anybody as he has proved year after year in the 205 lbs division. ‘Bones’ could become a two-division champion in 2022, further solidifying his status as the greatest of all time.