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#4: Doo Ho Choi – UFC featherweight contender
While Doo Ho Choi has never quite developed into the featherweight title contender that some fans once hoped, it’s probably still safe to say that he’s one of the most exciting fighters in the division.
‘The Korean Superboy’ has had some of the greatest fights in the history of the featherweight division, with his clashes with the likes of Cub Swanson, Charles Jourdain and Jeremy Stephens going down as instant classics.
However, Choi has not fought since his clash with Jourdain, which happened way back in December 2019.
The reasons for his absence have been two-fold. ‘The Korean Superboy’ was initially kept out of action due to his mandatory military service with the South Korean army, but he was due to return in July, only to withdraw from his fight with Danny Chavez due to injury.
So will 2022 be the year that UFC fans will see Choi in action again? Based on the fact that he was due to fight in July, it’s definitely possible.
If he does return, while it seems unlikely that he’ll rise into title contention, he could well provide some fun fights for the fans. Making his return to the UFC highly welcome.
#3: Tatiana Suarez – UFC flyweight contender
Right now, there’s a clear argument that UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is the most dominant fighter in the UFC. Seemingly, there isn’t a fighter alive at 125lbs who can really test her.
However, that may not be the case. In fact, the fighter with the best possible chance of dethroning ‘The Bullet’ should hopefully be set to return in 2022, and has been a part of the UFC’s roster since 2016.
That fighter is Tatiana Suarez.
Sure, the TUF 23 winner has not yet fought at 125lbs, and her planned flyweight debut against Roxanne Modafferi was nixed earlier this year due to Suarez suffering an injury. However, it hardly feels like a stretch to suggest she’ll succeed there.
Suarez has fought the entirety of her UFC tenure at 115lbs, and to say she’s been dominant would be an understatement. Her bullying style, built around a powerful wrestling game and dangerous submission arsenal, has allowed her to destroy tough opponents such as Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso.
The only thing that may now hold her back is her history with injuries. Suarez has been out of action for over two years now with a severe neck injury, and how well she’ll return from that is anyone’s guess.
However, if she returns on form, preferably in 2022, she could quickly rise into title contention and could even challenge Shevchenko before the end of the year. Hopefully next year will be an injury-free one for her.
