MMA 2022: Biggest events worth waiting for

MMA Match-Ups

2021 was undoubtedly a great year for MMA, and 2022 is shaping up to be even better. The fights that we already have lined up this early in the year are already some of the best that most MMA fans could ever hope to see. Of course, you never know what might happen; during 2020 and 2021, fights were called off more than once in some cases, but we’re hoping that 2022 will be the year of all-out MMA mayhem. Though the landscape changes all the time, here are some of the fights we are the most excited to see this year in the cage and some of our favorite fighters to look out for.

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Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes

One of last year’s most dramatic MMA moments was at UFC 269, when Julianna Pena finally came out on top in a match against Amanda Nunes, landing Pena the bantamweight title. It’s a victory that Pena is and should be very proud of, and it was an upset that no one saw coming. However, one win doesn’t have fans entirely convinced that Pena is the better woman; Nunes was the ruler of the bantamweight and featherweight classes for so long that many fans and critics put last year’s loss down to a stormy night. Was that match a fluke, or will Nunes submit to Pena once more when they meet again this year? Only time will tell.

Leon Edwards vs. Jorge Masvidal

The history between these two fighters is a long one. Coming to blows in the backstage area of a 2019 UFC event in London brought on a trash-talking war waged in the media. When the fighters were finally set to face off last year, the fight was postponed last minute due to Masvidal sustaining an injury. In terms of ranking, a match between these two fighters doesn’t make much sense, but the tension has been built up to such a point that it’s a fight that needs to go down no matter what. Even if Edwards and Masvidal decide to squash the beef, fans simply won’t stand for the bout not taking place.

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Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka

One fighter who certainly had a memorable 2021 was Glover Teixeira. At 42 years old and after 21 UFC fights, he took down Polish fighter Jan Blachowicz and took home the light heavyweight title. It was a mind-blowing moment for the Brazilian fighter and fans worldwide. However, following that success, Teixeira now has to take on the rest of the light heavyweights starting with Jiri Prochazka. While Teixeira is an incredible athlete given his age, he will have to put up a serious fight to win against the Pole. Teixeira has defied the odds before; let’s see if he can do it again!

Aleksander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway

This pair makes for an exciting rivalry, that’s for sure. When they first met, Volkanovski came away victorious and took home the featherweight title for his trouble. Their next match wasn’t as clear-cut, but Volkanovski still won by a split decision. Both fights were incredible to watch, and the controversy surrounding the second match has only left fans more eager than ever to see them face off again. Holloway has racked up some truly incredible victories since the last time he fought Volkanovski. Will those wins be able to push his confidence up high enough to get him a win against his foe this time? Will the third time be the charm? We should find out before the first half of the year is over.

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Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan

This match is, without a doubt, one of the most important ones on the horizon. Neither competitor is particularly huge on the MMA scene, but the unfinished business that they have is rippling into the entire bantamweight division. This story started at UFC 259 in 2021; the fight for the title ended disastrously, with Yan employing an illegal knee in round four. Sterling won the fight by default, as he was unable to continue and Yan was, of course, disqualified. This re-match has been on the cards for quite some time, but it’s been quite a challenge getting the fight to come about. Yan Defeated Cory Sandhagen in October last year and was named the interim Bantamweight champ but who knows if he’ll be able to hold onto that title.

Wrap Up

As you can see, the MMA calendar for 2022 is already looking pretty interesting. While we know that nothing is set in stone and that changes can happen at the last minute, these are the fights that we’re most looking forward to seeing this year. How about you? Was your dream fight on the list?