5 UFC storylines from 2022 that grabbed the most attention
The UFC has recently completed 29 years since its inception, delivering yet another year of top-class mixed martial arts entertainment. The promotion saw eight new undisputed champions crowned in 2022 across 511 fights.
The UFC also likely did a better job of promoting its events than most other martial arts promotions. This obviously made space for a lot of intriguing storylines and controversies that once added more spice to the lives of UFC fans.
Along with moments like Leon Edwards' head kick knockout of Kamaru Usman or Charles Oliveira's win over Justin Gaethje, fans were equally entertained by the fiasco leading up to UFC 279 and the streetside brawl between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington. With the closure of another yearful of drama, here are five storylines that got the most attention in 2022.
#1. Jorge Masvidal-Colby Covington brawl outside Miami restaurant
Colby Covington, like his usual self, directed various distasteful comments at Jorge Masvidal and his family leading up to their UFC 272 clash in March. 'Chaos' went on to dominate Masvidal with his wrestling over five rounds to earn an emphatic unanimous decision win.
However, the matchup failed to settle the rivalry between Masvidal and Covington inside the octagon despite the decisive outcome. 'Gamebred' allegedly sucker-punched Covington outside the Papi Steak restaurant in Miami, hardly two weeks removed from their UFC 272 clash.
'Chaos' was reportedly left with a broken tooth, an abrasion on the wrist and damage to his Rolex watch. He subsequently filed charges against Masvidal, who pleaded not guilty to counts of aggravated battery and criminal mischief.
NEW FOOTAGE of Colby Covington detailing the alleged assault he suffered at the hands of Jorge Masvidal at a Miami Beach steakhouse back in March.
Full story: insidefighting.com/police-footage… https://t.co/arITsf8xyq
The trial date for the case saw two delays due to continuance in order to gather additional information regarding Covington’s medical records following the claim that he suffered brain damage after Masvidal’s alleged attack.
#2. Charles Oliveira stripped of his title after missing weight
Charles Oliveira being stripped of his belt ahead of UFC 274 is arguably one of the most controversial moments in the history of the UFC lightweight title. 'Do Bronx' was deemed ineligible to win the title after missing weight by half a pound.
The Brazilian weighed in at 155.5 pounds and was unable to cut the extra half pound despite being given an additional hour to do so.
Statement given to me by Lenee Breckenridge, UFC pr director https://t.co/oZJ2nKxDh2
While the initial report was only saddening, controversy arose when other fighters from the card verified Oliveria's claims of a "heavy scale." According to several fighters, 'do Bronx' made weight on the unofficial scale but weighed heavier on the official one.
Oliveira went on to coin the iconic phrase, 'the champ has a name,' and followed it up with a spectacular submission win over Justin Gaethje.
#3. The UFC 279 fiasco
The UFC 279 pre-fight press conference was the first presser to be canceled in the history of the promotion. Dana White made the unprecedented decision due to a brawl that broke out backstage moments before the presser involving Khamzat Chimaev, Kevin Holland and Dana White. According to a report by MMA Junkie, Chimaev initiated the brawl by kicking Holland, and things escalated with the arrival of the Diaz army.
'Borz' drew even more ire from fans by missing weight by 7.5 pounds for his scheduled matchup against Nate Diaz, which would be the Stockton native's last fight. The Chechen-born Swede turned into the promotion's new heel by flipping off a booing crowd and blaming his weight miss on doctors.
The drama went to a whole new level after Dana White made three changes to the main card a day prior to the event. The new main event was between Nate Diaz and Tony Ferguson, while Kevin Holland was promoted to the co-headliner event spot against Chimaev. Li Jingliang, who was originally scheduled to fight Ferguson in the co-main, was pitted against Daniel Rodriguez.
UFC NEWS ALERT: UFC 279 has undergone massive changes. The new top of the card is now:
-Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
-Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
-Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez https://t.co/l8M3eoUZcI
Fans who accused Dana White of rigging the card were dismissed by the UFC president as "f***ing lunatics."
#4. Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya's UFC 281 middleweight title clash against Alex Pereira was one of the biggest build-ups of all time. Adesanya had already lost to Pereira twice during their GLORY Kickboxing days, which also included the only KO loss of the future champ's career.
'The Last Stylebender' was believed to have progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of MMA, while Pereira took time with his transition. However, 'Poatan', despite being only four fights old at that point, has been touted as Adesanya's kryptonite since he entered the UFC.
The Brazilian proved that the hype behind him was real by sleeping Sean Strickland with his famed left hand in his third promotional fight, also earning a title shot. Adesanya expectedly went in as the favorite and seemed to be justifying the odds as he almost knocked his opponent out at the end of round 1.
While Pereira bounced back in round 2, 'The Last Stylebender' continued to outclass him in rounds 3 and 4. The Kiwi only had to survive another round to retain his title when 'Poatan's left hand struck in the final round, earning the Brazilian a TKO win.
#5. James Krause betting controversy
Former fighter-turned-coach James Krause reportedly got involved in the most serious controversy of 2022 that led to questions about the integrity of the sport at large. Shortly after the UFC banned fighters and their teammates from betting on their fights, a fight between Darrick Minner and Shaliyan Nuerdanbieke made headlines due to suspicious betting line movement just hours before the clash.
Sportsbooks were concerned to see money continuing to pour in for Nuerdanbieke just 2-3 hours before the fight despite making the odds less attractive. Their doubts were proved right when Minner went on to suffer a first-round TKO loss after evidently compromising his leg.
While the promotion initially refused to jump to conclusions, Minner's coach James Krause, who is well-known in betting circles and regularly provides betting tips, came under the scanner. Krause lost his cornering license, and Minner was released from the promotion. Fighters involved with Krause and his gym Glory MMA were also banned from competing in the UFC.