From McGregor to Jones - the bouts we can’t wait to see
This year has had some of the biggest fights ever and we cannot wait to see what happens in 2022. As we come towards the end of the year, all SEOBrothers team is looking forward to the highly anticipated battles of the future.
Here at SEOBrothers, we like to do our research. That is why we talked to some of the world’s top MMA fighting writers and websites about which bouts they think will be a part of the biggest UFC fight night 2022.
But let’s talk about the outgoing year first.
The Biggest Fights Ever
Dustin Poirier’s win versus Conor McGregor, Francis Ngannou’s impressive duel with Stipe Miocic, and Kamaru Usman’s victories over both Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington, were just a few of the biggest UFC fights that took place this year.
Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier are two superstars of the sport. Both men’s names feature in the top 25 most popular mixed martial arts on Google Trends over the past 12 months.
McGregor’s bout against Khabib at UFC 229 is the highest-selling pay-per-view of all time, with 2.4m sales. It is number one on the list of biggest UFC fights.
Not every brilliant fighter has highly anticipated bouts. Until relatively recently, Kamara Usman’s style looked as though it would not be part of one of the best UFC events.
He was notorious for having the ability to take fighters down, but he wasn’t able to finish them. As he said himself, “It’s one thing to get somebody down on the ground, but it’s another thing to finish (them) there.”
Not every brilliant fighter watches UFC’s biggest fights. For instance, when we contacted some rising star, he told us that he isn’t overly interested in next year’s biggest fights.
He said: “I mainly watch my own and my opponents’ fights. I know that might sound strange, but I only occasionally watch UFC fighters that I’m not in line to face myself”.
Outside of McGregor fight nights, here is a list of some of the other best UFC events.
UFC 100: Lesnar Vs. Mir 2 ( 2009)
UFC 129: St-Pierre Vs. Shields (2011)
UFC 200: Tate Vs. Nunes ( 2016)
UFC 217: Bisping Vs. St-Pierre (2017)
UFC 239: Jones Vs. Santos (2019)
Only time will tell if a single fight night 2022 will make the list of best UFC events. However, with the bouts involved, we would be shocked if they didn’t.
Best UFC Fights 2022
What will be the best UFC fights in 2022?
1. Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor
When: Potentially December 2021.
Is this fight possible in 2022?
After McGregor suffered a horrific injury against Poirier in their last bout, many fight fans moved away from wanting a UFC 2022 version of this fight.
Can it happen in 2022 or maybe later and why?
If Poirier defeats Charles Oliveira and McGregor wants a fourth bout with Poirier as his next fight, he may just get it. Money talks and McGregor brings in the money.
Who will win?
The Louisiana native’s upcoming UFC fight will tell us much about where he is mentally, but in recent showings, he has the beating of McGregor.
What do famous bloggers and MMA sites think?
Abarron Singh, the editor at MMAIndia echoed this point. He said: “I think there are more lucrative options available for both fighters. Do I think the fight will happen at some point later? Absolutely. With that being said, I think Dustin Poirier takes the fourth fight too.”
2. Deiveson Figueiredo and Henry Cejudo
When: Potentially January 2022.
Is this fight possible in 2022?
The likelihood of whether or not this will happen depends on Figueiredo’s upcoming UFC fight against current flyweight champ, Brandon Moreno. Cejudo isn’t going to come back for anything less than a title fight.
Can it happen in 2022 or maybe later and why?
As said, this bout only happens if one of the two men is champion.
Who will win?
Cejudo has been out of the game since his questionable retirement. If he comes back, he may have ring rust. Meanwhile, it is clear that Figueiredo wants to reclaim his spot atop the pile. It’s a great fight, but we think Figgy takes it.
What do famous bloggers and MMA sites think?
The good people over at SpeakMMA.com don’t know if this bout is a genuine possibility.
They said: “The only way this fight will happen is if Figueiredo beats Moreno in their 3rd title fight and Cejudo sees a big payday in coming out of retirement.”
3. Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling
When: February or March 2022, depending on when Sterling is fit.
Is this fight possible in 2022?
Yan claiming the interim title made this bout much more likely. However, its likelihood depends on Sterling’s injury
Can it happen in 2022 or maybe later and why?
If both fighters are healthy, this is a potential ‘UFC Best Fight 2022’ winner.
Another rematch, where fans are eager to see the UFC 2022 version.
Who will win?
Yan is a man obsessed with reclaiming his gold and nobody is going to stand in his way.
What do famous bloggers and MMA sites think?
Abarron Singh also thinks this fight is only going in one direction. He added: “Yan will be looking forward to finishing Sterling and not letting the fight go to the judge’s scorecards.”
4. Israel Adesanya vs Jon Jones
When: A dream fight, so who knows.
Is this fight possible in 2022?
Simply, not going to happen. Adesanya tried going up in weight and lost, while Jones’ personal problems are keeping him from competing.
Can it happen in 2022 or maybe later and why?
It certainly won’t happen in 2022.
Who will win?
Adesanya struggled against Jan and Jones is another level higher than that.
What do famous bloggers and MMA sites think?
MMAHypeWatch agrees.
They said: “Adesanya moving up to the light heavyweight and losing the way he did only gives the UFC the signal that Adesanya would only do worse than that in the heavyweight division.”
5. Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou
When: February or March 2022.
Is this fight possible in 2022?
They are currently tied, with one win and one loss against each other. They may have a trilogy, but we actually think it is much more likely if Ngannou loses to Ciryil Gane in his upcoming UFC fight.
Can it happen in 2022 or maybe later and why?
Potentially, but the UFC will want new contenders coming forward as title challenges, so it is unlikely to be a title bout. However, it will be another one that could win the award of ‘UFC Best Fight 2022’.
Who will win?
MMAHypeWatch fancy Ngannou and we have to agree. They said: “Ngannou will improve faster and better than Stipe… Ngannou takes the win in their third fight.”
Every year, the UFC produces wonderful events and excellent fights. Next year will be no different and we cannot wait to see them.
From Conor McGregor, to Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo, there are questions about a number of the organisation’s star names. However, there is little doubt that by this time next year, there will be a number of new fighters who will be superstars and part of the best UFC fights 2022.
The UFC in 2022
Every year, the UFC produces wonderful events and excellent fights. Next year will be no different and we cannot wait to see them.
From Conor McGregor, to Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo, there are questions about a number of the organisation’s star names. However, there is little doubt that by this time next year, there will be a number of new fighters who will be superstars and part of the best UFC fights 2022.
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