5 Fights The UFC Should Make In 2023

The year 2022 has been one of the best years in UFC history, from unbelievable upsets and breathtaking performances to picture-perfect knockouts. The UFC also served up mouth-watering matchups like Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliviera, Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira and many more. We look at 5 fights the UFC should make in 2023.

There are a number of fights that are already in the works or rumoured to be taking place next year like heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou taking Jon Jones.

The UFC has also confirmed a few eye-catching fights for 2023 like the record-fourth fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 for the flyweight title, and a lightweight championship bout between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski in February.

Zhang Weili v Rose Namajunas 3

The current UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili has already lost twice to Rose Namajunas, so why make a third fight? These are arguably the two best strawweights in the world with their second fight much closer than the first after Namajunas knocked Weili out with a head kick to dethrone the current champion in their first fight.

There aren’t a lot of strawweights that can beat Zhang Weili but Rose Namajunas is certainly one of them. Weili has grown leaps and bounds since their last fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the bookies’ favourite leading up to a third fight. Either way, this is one fight that the UFC should definitely make next year.

Sean O’Malley v Marlon Vera 2

“Sugar” Sean O’Malley’s rise in the bantamweight division has certainly been an interesting one. He lost to Marlon Vera via TKO in their first fight in 2020 after suffering a leg injury that left him compromised in the fight. O’Malley recently beat former champ, Petr Yan at UFC 280. Even though many fans thought he lost the fight, he definitely proved that he belongs with the best bantamweights in the world.

Vera on the other hand has been improving with every fight since 2020. His last fight saw him knockout former bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz in breathtaking fashion to also establish himself amongst the best in the division. Sean O’Malley will most likely face the winner of Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo while Vera is scheduled to take on Cory Sandhagen earlier next.

Should both of them win their fights, the UFC should definitely run it back sometime next year.

Islam Makhachev v Beneil Darius

Islam Makhachev could go from a guy who earned a title shot without beating a top-five fighter to possibly being the pound-for-pound king in the space of four months. He takes on Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 in Australia next year with Volkanovski looking to become a double champion.

In an ideal world, Makhachev’s first title defence would come against Beneil Darius, who’s more than deserving of a title shot. He is on an 8-fight win streak and was scheduled to fight the Dagestani earlier this year but had to pull out through injury. If Makhachev gets past Volkanovski, then this is definitely the fight to make later in the year.

Colby Covington v Khamzat Chimaev

I don’t see this fight happening for a number of reasons but it would be one of the biggest fights of 2023 if the UFC could make it happen. Two talented and controversial fighters squaring off for a number one contender’s fight would be worthy of a pay-per-view co or main event.

The build-up to this fight would be entertaining, to say the least, with both fighters known for their trash-talking and skills on the mic. The fight itself would be an intriguing one as I feel both of them are bad matchups for each other (stylistically). Khamzat Chimaev would have the size and power advantage while Colby Covington’s cardio would be a huge advantage for him.

Hopefully, the UFC can make this fight happen and if it does, fingers crossed that Chimaev makes weight.

Conor McGregor v Michael Chandler

Even though there will be no title up for grabs, Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return will be the biggest fight of 2023. McGregor has not fought since injuring himself in the summer of 2021 against Dustin Poirier, but he still remains the biggest star in the sport.

Chandler is a worthy opponent. Despite losing three fights out of five in the UFC, the former Bellator lightweight champion is one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA and will bring excitement when battling with McGregor. Jorge Masvidal is another interesting opponent for the Irishman but Chandler looks like the most realistic.