When it comes to upcoming UFC battles that fans want to see, there are plenty of matches — scheduled and yet-to-be-made — that will provide excitement for fans hungry for combat sports. While there have already been plenty of big title fights during the summer of 2022, there are still events left this year that have the potential to create lasting memories. While many fans are eagerly awaiting Charlies Oliveira’s next opponent to be announced, some fights are already on the schedule.
When it comes to MMA, things are often as uncertain as MLB odds, results can have a high variance due to the number of different skill sets fighters have. There is always a chance a fighter can spring a surprise result on any opponent who isn’t prepared. When it comes to the UFC, they usually don’t book easy fights for people looking to climb the ranks.
With that in mind, let’s look at some events on the horizon that will draw big interest.
The Lioness looks to regain her top spot
Amanda Nunes had won 12 fights in a row, capturing the UFC women’s featherweight and bantamweight championships along the way, before suffering a shocking loss last December. Fighting against a solid veteran in Julianna Pena, Nunes decided to engage in a wild brawl. Pena would clip Nunes and finish her with a rear-naked choke 3 minutes, 26 seconds into the second round.
Nunes has been so motivated by the rematch, that she has been living out of the gym in preparation for the late July fight. Much like with MLB lines, despite the fact Pena is the champion, Nunes is favored to win the fight due to her excellent run before the last loss.
Pena may end up feeling more pressure than Nunes. While Nunes’ legacy won’t take much of a hit, win, or loss, Pena will want this win to show the first one wasn’t a fluke.
Who wants some?
The only reason UFC lightweight Charles Oliveira isn’t the lightweight champion is that he missed weight during his last fight. The status of Oliveira’s next opponent is still up in the air. Many would like to see him fight highly-touted prospect Islam Makhachev, while the usual suspects like Michael Chandler, who already was knocked out by Oliveira, are trying to get back in the octagon with him.
Oliveira would like to have a big-money fight with former champion Conor McGregor. However, this fight will be difficult to book due to McGregor’s lack of recent success and there being too many other worthy contenders ahead of him.
No beer out of a shoe for me, please
Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa wasn’t too highly regarded before his fight with Greg Hardy in July 2021. After Tuivasa knocked out Hardy in the first round and scaled the octagon to drink beer out of a shoe, a legend was born. Tuivasa, who is 14-3 on his career with 13 KOs, handled his first step up in competition last February by knocking out former title challenger Derrick Lewis in the first round.
Tuivasa will get another shot at a highly-regarded fighter this September. Much like MLB spreads, anyone betting Tuivasa fights will want numbers on the shorter side. French fighter Cyril Gane, who held the interim UFC heavyweight title briefly, also previously knocked out Lewis. Both men are trying to establish themselves as title challengers so this September fight will be an exciting one.
Seven years, nine wins later
Leon Edwards has been in search of his title shot in the UFC since he lost to Kamaru Usman in 2015. Edwards will get that shot this August against Usman. While Usman has become one of the more dominant fighters in the sport, Edwards has been climbing the ranks in the background.
Usman, who is 20-1 in his career and hasn’t lost since 2012, won the bantamweight championship in 2019 and has defended his title five times since, with two defenses each against Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. Edwards will have needed to have shored up his takedown defense since the first two met.
Usman took down Edwards six times in their first bout. His wrestling negated Edwards’ striking, as Edwards was only able to land 36 of the 67 total strikes he attempted.