3 MMA Superfights That Need to (But Probably Won’t) Happen in 2022
One reason MMA has grown in popularity over the years is that promotions regularly pit the best against the best–unlike boxing where premier fights seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some potential big MMA fights that haven’t materialized in the octagon. Keep reading to learn about three superfights that should occur this year – but likely won’t.
- Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones
Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones seemed game to go head-to-head in the octagon when talk of a superfight first emerged.
Jones’ last fight was on February 8, 2020, when he won a controversial decision over Dominick Reyes. Shortly after this fight, Jones relinquished his title and said he wanted to compete at heavyweight but would need time to bulk up and get ready for the bigger weight class.
This had the UFC and fight fans everywhere in a frenzy as it seemed like a Ngannou-Jones superfight was on the horizon. But there was a problem. Both wanted more money than the UFC was reportedly willing to pony up to stage what might have turned into the biggest event in the promotion’s history.
As for the hoped-for bout? Jones hasn’t fought since the Reyes fight. And Ngannou hasn’t fought since defending his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane on January 22, 2022. After the fight, the champ revealed that he had entered the contest with a serious knee injury and would need to get it surgically repaired. He might be back in the octagon later this year or sometime in 2023. So, fans will have to wait for a possible Ngannou-Jones clash–if it ever happens.
- Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes
UFC Head Hancho Dana White himself said in December 2021, after Amanda Nunes lost her bantamweight title in an upset loss to Julianna Pena, that a Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes match could’ve been one of the UFC’s biggest-ever fights.
At the time, White had been rumored to be interested in signing Kayla Harrison, a free agent at another MMA promotion, to the UFC roster. While fight fans everywhere had hoped that Harrison would sign with the UFC and ultimately fight Nunes despite the loss to Pena, it wasn’t to be since Harrison went on to sign with another promotion instead.
There’s still a glimmer of hope, though, since Harrison is still open to fighting the likes of Nunes at some point in the future. So, perhaps the paths of these two elite women fighters will cross. But it’s unlikely to be this year.
- Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz
The rubber match must happen. The first time Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz squared off in the octagon, in March 2016, the latter got the upset win by finishing off Mystic Mac via submission. When the two MMA superstars squared off again in August 2016, McGregor got the win in a competitive decision finish after five action-packed rounds.
It’s been a long wait since then. But there’s still interest in a rubber match to break the tie. McGregor has been off for an extended time after a gruesome leg injury in his last fight, and Diaz, who has one fight left in his UFC contract, is at odds with the organization. He’s even asked to be released from his contract. Will we see McGregor-Diaz 3? Hopefully. This year? Maybe.
These are three MMA superfights that should take place this year but probably won’t. If a superfight like one of the three above eventually is announced and you want to be there in person, you’ll want to do it in style.
Ensure you go with friends who are just as passionate about MMA as you are. When traveling with some friends, call a service provider that offers group transportation travel options. That way, you’ll be able to sit back and allow someone else to do the driving.
