5 Potential UFC title fights to look forward to in 2022
After spoiling fans with UFC 267 and UFC 268 in consecutive weeks, there is now only one more pay-per-view for the remainder of 2021. UFC 269 will end the year's ppv calendar on December 11th and is headlined by Charles Oliveira against Dustin Poirier.
One final numbered card to see out 2021 and it's another absolute banger! What a card 🤩
#UFC269 | Dec 11 | BT Sport https://t.co/ajGEC9qvKn
This year has seen a number of great UFC title fights. Notably, Kamaru Usman has featured in three of them, finishing both Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal before grinding a decision victory over Colby Covington last Sunday.
2021 has also seen a number of crowning moments for veterans bent on their first UFC title. Charles Oliveira, Brandon Moreno and, most recently, Glover Teixeira, all became champion for the first time.
We've also seen more familiar faces dominate, with the likes of Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko continuing to add title defenses to their tally.
With new champions and contenders emerging, here are 5 UFC title fights we might enjoy after the new year arrives.
#5. Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk III
Thug' Rose Namajunas had a scintillat
ing 2021. She fought twice, first defeating Zhang Weili for the UFC women's strawweight championship and then successfully defeating Weili in the rematch.
Meanwhile, Joanna Jedrzejczyk did not compete this year. After her classic vs. Zhang, the 34-year-old took a while to heal and was even removed from the rankings.
That's not to say Jedrzejczyk now faces a long path back to the title. Following Rose's victory over Zhang this weekend, fans immediately called for a second bout between Weili and Jedrzejczyk.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk sees Zhang Weili rematch as 'money fight' for UFC: 'People want to see it' (via @dannyseguratv) wp.me/p3WzJ0-27To
Should Jedrzejczyk win that rematch, which many felt she had done in their first split decision, she would become the clear no. 1 contender. Rose, meanwhile, looks set to defend her belt next against steamrolling Carla Esparza.
If both are successful in their latest ventures, we could witness a third fight between Namajunas and Jedrzejczyk as soon as the summer of 2022. The winner would likely become the greatest strawweight of all time after proving their championship quality.