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2021 has certainly been a wild ride for the UFC. From new champions such as Francis Ngannou and Charles Oliveira to the shocking downfall of Conor McGregor, it's been unpredictable.
Now, nearly three quarters into the year, talks of what is to come in 2022 are already stirring. Several big fights are coming up before 2021 closes, including Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington II as well as Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira.
Several contenders have made their presence felt in 2021. These fighters have been rising through the ranks of their respective divisions. For now, there appears to be no ceiling in sight. Instead, the prospect of exciting new champions and bouts is on the horizon.
There’s also a certain veteran star set to debut at a new weight class to look forward to in 2022. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at five UFC fighters who could win gold next year:
#5. Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier
‘The Diamond’ is on the run of his career thanks to his bizarre feud with Conor McGregor. After handing the Irishman his first ever knockout loss at UFC 257, Poirier remained the cool in the face of relentless trash talk. Heading into UFC 264, it was clear the hot-tempered Poirier who’d fallen at UFC 178 was no more.
Improving in all areas, Poirier has lost just twice in the past five years. Outside of his defeats to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Michael Johnson, Poirier has shown great power in all areas.
On the feet, Poirier’s leg kicks are debilitating and his punches have netted him several knockouts. On the ground, Poirier is an efficient grappler with a diverse arsenal of submission holds at his disposal.
Racking up multiple ‘Fight of the Night’ and ‘Performance of the Night’ honors, Poirier is all set for a title fight with Charles Oliveira. That is, of course, if he wants it. The Louisiana star opted out of a title fight earlier this year for a trilogy bout with McGregor.
Rumors are also now swirling of a Poirier vs. Nate Diaz clash. It’s clear ‘The Diamond’ has his eyes on big money fights. Should he opt to face Diaz or even a fourth McGregor bout next, his title chances are non-existent. If, however, he commits to fighting Oliveira for the top prize, he could become lightweight champion.
Oliveira is one of the finest submission artists of his generation. As dangerous as 'do Bronx' is, Poirier has all the tools to get the job done. 2022 can be his year if he focuses on the gold over the cash. Of course, even if he does win the UFC lightweight title, his reign may be shortlived considering another entry on this list...
#4. UFC welterweight Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards has won 9 of his last 10 UFC fights (an NC against Belal Muhammad is the one blemish on this streak). He hasn’t eaten defeat since his December 2015 unanimous decision loss to Kamaru Usman.
In the years since, Edwards has drastically improved his grappling abilities whilst maintaining his top quality kickboxing. Most recently, Edwards picked up a unanimous decision victory over the returning Nate Diaz. Edwards dominated much of the fight, only coming slightly undone in the closing stretch thanks to Diaz’s superior cardio.
Regardless of the fifth round, it was another impressive display from ‘Rocky’ as he continues to move up the rankings. Now at number three, it’s plausible that just one more win might be enough to net Edwards his long-awaited title shot.
Assuming he continues his winning ways, he could be looking at a 2022 clash with the winner of Usman vs. Covington II at UFC 268. ‘Rocky’ is a different level of fighter now to 2015 should he face Usman again.
This time, with his improved wrestling ability, his takedown defense against the scarily strong Usman should be more consistent. The same goes for a clash with Colby Covington, who is a wrestling machine in his own right.
Regardless of who he faces, Edwards’ chances of becoming UFC’s welterweight kingpin are solid. 2022 could very well be the year of ‘Rocky’.
#3. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones
It appears Jon Jones’ interminable bulking season may finally come to an end in 2022. After a decade of dominance as a light heavyweight, ‘Bones’ is moving up a weight class.
The controversial yet seemingly unbeatable MMA legend announced his decision to go heavyweight in August last year. It came six months after his last fight, a debatable unanimous decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247.
Interestingly, Jones’ title defense prior to this was one of his most difficult bouts yet. Thiago Santos just missed out on securing light heavyweight gold in a grueling split decision loss to Jones at UFC 239.
Some have speculated that Jones, now 34, may be slowing down and moving past his athletic prime. Owing to financial disputes with Dana White and difficulty in packing on the pounds, ‘Bones’ has kept delaying a return to the octagon.
While none of this sounds promising, it’s impossible to count out one of the sport's most dangerous and efficient fighters. Jones has proven to be near perfect in all areas of combat over the years. He also has a long reach and is an exceptional defensive wrestler.
Assuming his speed and mobility aren’t hindered by his weight gain, the increased strength will make his strikes even deadlier. Jackson Wink’s finest student could be a nightmare for the likes of Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane in 2022. If he secures heavyweight gold, his argument as the UFC’s GOAT will be even stronger.
#2. UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev
The UFC lightweight everyone’s talking about of late, Islam Makhachev, is on a tear. The former combat sambo world champion is gradually rising through the ranks of the division.
The only problem the Dagestani warrior is facing right now is that next to one wants to fight him. As a result, the high-intensity grappler has been ripping apart lightweights outside of the division’s top ten.
Assuming he continues to impress, there’ll come a time when the big guns of the division can no longer duck him. The 20-1 rising star is set to face former UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267. Assuming he can get past dos Anjos, Makhachev’s chances of a title fight next year will be very high. 2022 may well be the year when the lightweight title returns to Dagestan.
Makhachev, a lifelong friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a relentless pressure fighter. As if his offense wasn’t hard enough to handle, Makhachev’s self-preservation in the octagon is commendable. He currently has a significant strikes absorbed per minute rate of 0.77 - the best in company history. No wonder so few are willing to step into the octagon with him.
#1. UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka
With a higher than 95% finishing rate, it’s safe to say Jiri Prochazka is one of the scariest fighters in the world right now. The ferocious Muay Thai master fights out of Brno, Czech Republic and has not lost a bout since 2015.
The 28-3-1 knockout artist joined the UFC last year after a dominant run in the Rizin Fighting Federation. For his UFC debut, he sent Volkan Oezdemir to the shadow realm with a fatal punch early in round two. Since then, he has added Dominick Reyes’ scalp to his collection, knocking him out with a rare spinning back elbow in May this year.
Prochazka has expressed strong interest in fighting current UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz. Interestingly, ‘Denisa’ has been rumored as the back-up fighter for Blachowicz’s upcoming UFC 267 clash with Glover Teixeira.
Assuming the Blachowicz vs. Teixeira bout goes off without a hitch, the winner could be in deep trouble come 2022. Prochazka is a fast and efficient fighter with explosive high knees and multi-faceted upper body striking.
He’s on a twelve-fight winning streak and has great discipline through his dedication to the Bushido code. Prochazka maintains a calm, focused temperament through his following of the code's traditional samurai principles.
Couple his laser-focus with his deadly striking and you have a surefire champion in the near future.
