5 UFC fighters who could become double champions in 2022

#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.