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#2: Gunnar Nelson – UFC welterweight contender
Around seven years ago, Gunnar Nelson was arguably the best welterweight prospect in the UFC. ‘Gunni’ had debuted in the octagon in 2012, and quickly reeled off four victories, impressing hugely in all of them.
Losses to the likes of Rick Story and Demian Maia took the bloom off his rose somewhat, but as recently as 2019, he appeared likely to ascend into contention for the UFC welterweight title.
However, that year went badly for the native of Iceland, as he was defeated by Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns. Since then, he has not fought in the UFC, and appears to have fallen off the map entirely.
Nelson has never been released by the UFC, though, meaning that after spending over two years on the shelf, 2022 could be the year that sees him return to action.
What does he have to offer at this point? The answer, surprisingly, is plenty. Nelson is still only 33 years old, meaning he’s probably in his athletic prime right now, and he hasn’t really taken that much damage over the years.
While his style may not prove to be effective against top fighters like Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, his submission skills and sniper-like striking still make him a danger to most of the 170lbers on the roster.
If nothing else, Nelson provides a tricky stylistic challenge for any fighter that he steps into the octagon with. Meaning that a UFC comeback for him in 2022 would be hugely welcome.
#1: Zabit Magomedsharipov – UFC featherweight contender
With all of the furore around Russian, more specifically, Dagestani fighters rising up the ranks in the UFC right now, it’s hard to believe that perhaps the most talented of them all seems to have fallen off the radar.
Unfortunately, it’s now been over two years since we last saw Zabit Magomedsharipov in action. The Dagestani native was last seen outpointing Calvin Kattar in the headline bout of UFC Fight Night 163, and it was fully expected that he’d move into contention for the UFC featherweight title in 2020.
Since then, though, Magomedsharipov has not stepped back into the octagon. A planned fight with Yair Rodriguez fell through in August 2020, and in April 2021, he was officially removed from the UFC’s rankings altogether – despite sitting at #3 at the time.
Thankfully, he has not been released from his contract or anything similar. In fact, Zabit has reportedly been on the shelf due to health issues caused by a compromised immune system.
Despite rumors of his retirement swirling around at one point, according to his coach Mark Henry, 2022 could be the year that he returns to action.
If he does return, UFC fans have reason to be excited. Not only is Magomedsharipov one of the most dangerous fighters in the featherweight division, he’s also one of the most exciting. Fights with the likes of Rodriguez and Giga Chikadze could become instant classics.
While he may need a tune-up fight upon his return, it’s safe to say that if Magomedsharipov can indeed return in 2022, fireworks may well ensue.
