With Christmas just a few days away, I\u2019m cutting it close for asking Santa for a present. But I was a very good boy this year, giving all you lovely readers winning UFC picks all year long, so I deserve a present. Actually, make that 11 presents. Here is my list of fights I want to see happen in each of the UFC\u2019s weight classes in 2022. Now it\u2019s in your hands Santa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Women\u2019s Strawweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rose Namajunas vs Carla Esparza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Women\u2019s Flyweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Manon Fiorot vs Taila Santos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Two streaking, up-and-coming women\u2019s flyweights and superb strikers. Manon Fiorot has won all three of her UFC fights; Taila Santos has won four straight after dropping her big show debut. The winner continues on to the top of the division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Women\u2019s Bantamweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Aspen Ladd vs Miesha Tate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These two have been duking it out verbally, now let\u2019s settle the beef in the cage. Former champ Miesha Tate has shown to have plenty left in the gas tank since her return, and Aspen Ladd needs a big scalp to add to her resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flyweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kai Kara-France vs Askar Askarov<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kai Kara-France is perhaps the most dangerous striker in the flyweight division. Askar Askarov is perhaps the most dangerous grappler. A classic style vs style matchup. Winner gets a title shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bantamweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sean O\u2019Malley vs Dominick Cruz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Phenom Sean O\u2019Malley has been throwing shade on former champ Dominick Cruz recently. Put the two in the cage and see if elite striker O\u2019Malley can handle the wizened veteran\u2019s defense, footwork, and unique fighting style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Featherweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Giga Chikadze vs Max Holloway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Giga Chikadze is fighting on the first UFC card in 2022 and Max Holloway seems destined for another title shot, so this is dream matchmaking, not reality. These two striking with one another would be Fight of the Year worthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mateusz Gamrot vs Tony Ferguson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mateusz Gamrot has shown to be the real deal in the UFC, so let\u2019s throw him in there with a big name on his way down, Tony Ferguson. It would be a highly entertaining grappling battle and would show if Gamrot is ready for the elite and if Ferguson has anything left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Welterweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Khamzat Chimaev vs Colby Covington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Khamzat Chimaev and Colby Covington are smothering grapplers and push a relentless pace. This would be Chimaev\u2019s biggest test to date, with a win very likely propelling him into a title shot. Plus, I wouldn\u2019t mind someone shutting Covington\u2019s mouth up, which Chimaev surely is capable of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Middleweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Gerald Meerschaert vs Andre Muniz<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s put two of the best grapplers in the 185-pound class up against once another and see what happens. Andre Muniz is the superior and more powerful fighter of the two, but Gerald Meerschaert can never be counted out in a fight until the bell rings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light Heavyweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Glover Teixeira vs Jiri Prochazka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is another fight that appears likely to happen early in 2022. New champ Glover Teixeira\u2019s first title defense could be his last, as Jiri Prochazka is an explosive, unorthodox striker. But old dog Teixeira has shown to have plenty of new tricks. Another fun style vs style matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heavyweight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Derrick Lewis vs Tai Tuivasa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Derrick Lewis showed in his last fight that he is still among the elite, so let\u2019s see if Tai Tuivasa can join him up there. Two chunky guys with big personalities throwing concussive blows in the cage is always a recipe for fun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With Christmas just a few days away, I\u2019m cutting it close for asking Santa for a present. But I was a very good boy this year, giving all you lovely readers winning UFC picks all year long, so I deserve a present. Actually, make that 11 presents. Here is my list of fights I want […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":39465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[811],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ufc"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong>This one appears to actually be happening in 2022. Carla Esparza beat current champ Rose Namajunas in 2014 to become the UFC\u2019s inaugural women\u2019s 115-pound champ. Now she\u2019s worked her way back up to #1 contender status and can try to best Namajunuas once more for the belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n