2023 MMA Fights to Watch Out For

If you’re a mixed martial arts fan, then 2023 is set to be a year that has a lot in store for you. With some incredible fights already scheduled as well as some potential fights likely to take place, there’s never been a better time to be an MMA fan. 

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the best potential MMA fights to watch out for in 2023 for opportunities for exciting MMA bets. 

Connor McGregor vs Michael Chandler 

Although McGregor is still recovering from the fractured leg he sustained in his 2nd fight against Dustin Porier last July, he is rumoured to be returning to the octagon next summer and there are plenty of fighters who’d love to get a shot at him. 

One of the more interesting fights available to him is against Michael Chandler. A powerhouse puncher, Chandler would provide a unique challenge for McGregor, who is still recognised as being one of the most technically gifted fighters in the UFC. 

It remains to be seen if McGregor, who could well be 35 by the time he steps back in the octagon, will still be at his best after coming back from such a big injury but this fight remains an intriguing one nonetheless. 

Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou 

One of the dream matches that MMA fans would love to see happen in 2023 is current UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou taking on pound-for-pound great Jon Jones. 

Jones hasn’t had a fight in the UFC for close to 3 years and at 35 years of age, some fans may doubt if he’ll be at his best when he does finally return to the octagon. However, Jones has proven his doubters wrong time and time again, so it will come as no shock if he were able to take the heavyweight title if this dream fight did happen in 2023. 

According to recent reports, talks between the UFC and Ngannou are going well and a March date at UFC 285 could easily be on the cards. 

Nate Diaz return

Longtime fan favourites, the Diaz brothers always make headlines when they return to the octagon and it looks like the younger of the two brothers, Nate is set for a return in 2023

Zach Rosenfield, Nate’s representative, recently said he expects his client to return to action next year, both in MMA and boxing. It’s unclear at this point if a return to action means he’ll be seen in the UFC, particularly since his contract with the organisation recently came to an end, making him a free agent. 

Even if it wasn’t in the UFC though, Nate Diaz fighting in the octagon is always huge news and he’d no doubt draw a big crowd no matter which organisation he was fighting for. 

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev – UFC 284

Moving onto fights that have been confirmed for 2023, is Alexander Volkanovski vs. Islam Makhachev set to take place at UFC 284 on 12th February. 

Fighting for both the lightweight belt and pound-for-pound status, this is a fight that fans have wanted to see for quite a while. Volkanovski is currently ranked at number 1 in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings and is moving up a weight class to take on Makhachev, who is ranked as no.3. 

After defending the featherweight title 4 times after first winning it with a defeat over Max Holloway in 2019, Volkanovski will look to add another huge win to his record if he’s able to overcome a formidable lightweight in Makhachev. 

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno 4 – UFC 283

Set to be the UFC’s first ever quadrilogy fight, Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno is a hugely anticipated matchup and one of the biggest fights currently announced for 2023. 

Taking place on the 21st January in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at UFC 283, the fight will be on home soil for Figueiredo, who will be looking to get a second successive win of Moreno in front of his own fans, after having previously lost and drawn with him prior to their last fight. 

The first time the two fighters met was at UFC 256, when the fight was declared a draw by majority decision. Their next meeting was at UFC 263, where Moreno won by submission with a rear-naked choke. Their most recent encounter saw Figueiredo winning by majority decision. Fans will be hoping to see a fight as exciting as their previous encounters come January 21st.

Also confirmed for UFC 283 are fights including Maurício Rua vs. Ihor Potieria, Thiago Moisés vs. Guram Kutateladze and Josiane Nunes vs.Zarah Fairn Dos Santos.