There are some intriguing possible returns set for 2022
The last couple of years have been a test for all sports. Some have coped better than others, and there is little doubt that the UFC has coped among the very best. It is a feature of MMA in general but also of the UFC specifically that it is both willing and able to be flexible, to quickly adapt to the market and its prevailing conditions.
Use of the UFC Apex, introduced as a temporary measure has enabled the promotion to stage more Fight Nights than ever, at a fraction of the cost. Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island was another iconic venue that came to the fore in trying circumstances and looks set to be a venue for years to come. 2021 saw the welcome return of The Ultimate Fighter after a brief hiatus. So at a time when the sport could have retreated, it did the opposite, firmly establishing itself as America’s number one fight sport. So what are the dream fights/events that could happen in 2022?
Conor McGregor Dustin Poirier IV
If the Irishman is to return to the octagon, it is hard to see him fighting anyone else other than the man who he has faced three times already. There will be asterisks attached to both of the last two fights, at least in McGregor’s mind and those of his legion of fans. The fight, if it were to go ahead would be a hard one to pick, odds on Unibet sports would likely slightly favour Poirier, but the side story to the fight happening or not is whether the man who rightfully claims credit for helping to put the UFC where it is today, ever fights again.
Jon Jones against… anyone
Jones’ UFC career and his life has been one hell of a rollercoaster, but there is no doubting the fact the sport needs people like him, especially if McGregor does decide to call it a day. One thing for sure is that if Jones does come back, it will be at heavyweight. When he first mentioned that he was moving up from light heavy, the owner of the heavyweight strap was his biggest rival in the octagon, Daniel Cormier. That did not seem like a step too far. Things have moved on since then however, and Francis Ngannou looks like a whole different prospect on paper, especially for someone fighting above his natural weight class. If Jones is true to his word, it is unlikely that his first fight at that weight will be a title shot, but either way it will be a bout every fight fan will tune in for.
Khabib Nurmagomedov against… anyone
The noise from his steadily growing number of fans that accompanied Khabib’s undefeated rise through the ranks became deafening and impossible to ignore, and he certainly delivered on his potential. When he announced his retirement there was little doubt that he would have been able to dominate the lightweight division for years to come, and perhaps even move up a weight to become a two-weight champion. Though he has not stepped away from MMA – coaching and promoting – whispers will always remain surrounding his return to the octagon proper.
Whether current 155lb champion Charles Oliveira would be able to provide the Russian with a sterner test that he has faced before is questionable, but just the thought of Khabib throwing down again is thrill enough for MMA fans the world over.
Unlikely though it is that all three of those dream fights are made in 2022, there is a good chance we will see Jones fight again, something that has been far from a certainty, even when he still held a belt. Regardless of those huge stars, the UFC is in a healthy state, with the fight cards that have already been put together offering enough mouth-watering match ups.