Kamaru Usman defined 2021 in many ways. UFC.com’s Fighter of the Year defended his title in spectacular fashion three times in the year, taking out Gilbert Burns, Jorge Masvidal (also UFC.com’s Knockout of the Year), and Colby Covington. He doesn’t have much time to sit back, though, as another wave of contenders is prepared to challenge his throne.
Leon Edwards returned in 2021 to mixed results. His return bout against Belal Muhammad turned out to be anticlimactic due to an accidental eye poke that led to a no contest, but he did look good against Nate Diaz at UFC 263. Edwards controlled that fight for 24 minutes before Diaz shook Edwards late but couldn’t finish the job. Edwards hasn’t lost in six years – his last defeat coming coincidentally to Usman. Vicente Luque is in top form, as well, and few are lining up to fight “The Silent Assassin.” He might need one more big win to earn a shot, but he also might have a case as it stands. Belal Muhammad turned in a dominant, breakout performance against Stephen Thompson, so he figures to play a heavy part in the title picture in 2022.
Khamzat Chimaev is the biggest question mark heading into the next year. Chimaev has been utterly dominant so far, and he passed his biggest test against Li Jingliang with flying colors. He seems like he’s on a fast track up the division, so how he decides to leap up the ladder might be determined by who wants to take that fight.
Names to Watch For in 2022: Gilbert Burns, Sean Brady, Geoff Neal