The UFC rankings were first released in February 2013 and are determined by a voting panel composed of numerous media members. To rank the fighters, members of the press are allowed to vote on who they believe is the best in the UFC by weight category and pound-for-pound.
Fighters from three divisions are represented on the list, with veterans and rising stars, champions, and contenders graded according to their chances of success in the coming year. These top 6 potential rising stars whose previous performances have been overwhelmingly stellar.
Charles Oliveira
In the years leading up to 2022, the UFC's lightweight division had already been dominated by these two names: Khabib Nurmagomedov & Conor McGregor. One of them has never lost, while the other is so well-liked that it seems as if the division is constantly centered on him.
Oliveira is looking to change history after a tremendous year in which he won the championship over Michael Chandler and then defended it instead of Dustin Poirier. He reigns supreme in a class brimming with big titles and huge fights. But, according to Brett Okamoto, one of the analysts for ESPN2's MMA Live, his status will soar if he goes unbeaten this year.
Justin Gaethje
Gaethje has been consistently one of the sport's top successful players, not just the most exciting. Also, with the help of trainer Trevor Wittman, he has turned himself from a brawler to a tactician and craftsman, all while maintaining his fastball. Following that, he'll have a chance to add "champion" to his credentials.
While the UFC has yet to announce a date for Charles Oliveira's second lightweight championship defense, Dana White, the company's president, has indicated Gaethje fits and "makes sense" as the organization's next opponent.
After losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, this would be his second chance at gold. Gaethje's 2022 will be determined by this upcoming bout, which has the potential to be a game-changer for both men. According to Jeff Wagenheim, an author who served as MMA columnist for Sports Illustrated.
Ciryl Gane
Gane's ascension has been nothing short of phenomenal. He made his MMA debut in 2018, and then he'll now face Ngannou, a former teammate, for such UFC heavyweight title at UFC 270 in Anaheim, California, on January 22. The Undefeated Gane has improved with each bout. Last August, he headed to Derrick Lewis' hometown of Houston and demolished him on the way to a third-round finish and also the interim UFC heavyweight title.
According to Marc Raimondi, a sports writer at ESPN, if Gane can defeat the intimidating Ngannou, it will be a tribute to his training with mentor Fernand Lopez at MMA Factory in Paris. Also the beginning of a long reign for the versatile, clever, and athletic fighter.
Jon Jones
It isn't easy to foresee anything these days in Jones' view. Because of legal and other concerns outside the cage and a contract disagreement in 2021, one of the most certain things in MMA for a long time has become entirely uncertain. Nevertheless, Jones has stated that he plans to compete at heavyweight in the spring or summer of 2022. It's a move he's been teasing for a while, and it'd be welcomed in the sport.
The prospect of Jones pursuing a second title has always piqued the interest of the MMA community. Jones is poised for a huge year, but he constantly seems to create roadblocks for himself.
If he fights at heavyweight in 2022, it will undoubtedly be one of its most awesome headlines. You can witness this and bet online, just visit an online sportsbook like Bovada, BetOnline, and MyBookie.
Israel Adesanya
Adesanya has proved that he is willing to explore new possibilities. He set out to beat off his division's two leading contenders while also eyeing the bigger game, Jon Jones. Once, he established himself as the UFC middleweight champion in 2019. Although a fight with the then-light heavyweight champion never occurred, Adesanya still put his unbeaten record on the line against Jan Blachowicz, Jones' successor as the UFC's 205-pound champion.
After losing that superfight in March, Adesanya returned to extending his 185-pound rule by retracing some of his previous moves. Adesanya will face Whittaker for the UFC middleweight title by defeating Marvin Vettori again for the second time in his career.
Kamaru Usman
Usman entered 2021 with high expectations, and he excelled. Last year, he successfully defended his welterweight belt three times with a unique story:
He defeated his former comrade and friend Gilbert Burns in the first round, overcoming difficulties.
In April, he put a label on his two-fight series with Jorge Masvidal by striking a knockout candidate for Knockout of the Year.
In November, he defeated his old opponent Colby Covington in the main event at Madison Square Garden, winning by decision.
How could one follow up on a year like that? That could be Usman's most significant task in 2022, surpassing what he accomplished in 2021.
But it appears that he is the only one who can accomplish it. Last year, his progress with head coach Trevor Wittman was a big story, and he's currently a near-universal vote for greatest pound-for-pound fighter globally. The talents are present, and so is the desire to be active.
Final Thoughts
A fighter can only be voted on unless they are currently competing in the UFC. At any given time, a boxer can compete in multiple weight divisions.
The champion and interim champion are deemed to be at the top of their respective divisions, but they are not qualified for weight-class nomination. On the other hand, the champions could be voted on throughout the pound-for-pound rankings
