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- JPdachamp27
- 5th Degree Black Belt
- Member Since 2021.01.23
My MMA Rankings
Best UFC Fighters Without a Fight in 2022
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1
- Jon Jones
- "Bones"
- 27-1-0, 1 NC
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For a second straight year, Jonny Bones takes the top spot. This year it seemed we would finally see the mythical heavyweight Jones, even in talks to fight at UFC 282 against Stipe Miocic, but alas nothing came together. While it seems highly likely Jones hiatus since 2020 will end in 2023, nothing can be certain with the debatable GOAT.
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2
- Conor McGregor
- "The Notorious"
- 22-6-0
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The Notorious hasn't fought since the "doctah stoppage" that left him writhing in pain on the mat threatening to kill Dustin Poirier's family. Since then we've seen Connor bulk up "like a balloon" on social media, looking more like a light heavyweight than his once featherweight self. Being out of the USADA pool has led to skepticism, and also all but ensures we won't see the former double-champ until at least early summer in 2023.
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3
- Stipe Miocic
- 20-4-0
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Cleveland's finest volunteer firefighter hasn't seen the Octagon since he lost his title in a KO loss to Frances Ngannou in May 2021. However, the often-overlooked potentially best UFC heavyweight champ has been content to take his time and live his life. Some may even think he's quietly retiring. But you never know how close Stipe is to getting a title shot, with his two title runs,14 UFC wins, and four total title defenses speaking for themselves. Hopefully, we will see the now 40-year-old Miocic at least once more before he hangs up the gloves.
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4
- Germaine de Randamie
- "The Iron Lady"
- 10-5-0
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Another second-time member of this list, the former Women's Featherweight Champion was AWOL in 2022. Her last performance was an October 2020 submission over future bantamweight champ Julianna Pena. While not the greatest champ ever, the Iron Lady still deserves respect and has never lost to an opponent not named Amanda Nunes in the UFC (Holly Holm controversy aside).
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5
- Kelvin Gastelum
- 18-9-0, 1 NC
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A former interim challenger, Gastelum is already booked for the first event of 2023, having last lost a close decision to recent title challenger Jared Cannonier. Despite only being #13 in the middleweight rankings and being 1-4 since the all-time great fight with Adesanya at UFC 236, Gastelum is still dangerous, losing his last two fights to top-ranked fighters in Cannonier and a 2021 FOTN performance with former champ Robert Whittaker. If Gastelum can defeat #12 Nassourdine Imavov in January, look for a return to the top 10 in competition.
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6
- Gregor Gillespie
- "The Gift"
- 14-1-0
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At 7-1 in the UFC we last saw Gillespie winning a FOTN against Carlos Diego Ferreira in May 2021. The Gift was removed from the rankings leading some to believe he's no longer with the UFC, though this was later disputed by Gillespie himself. Still with six finishes in seven wins, the UFC's self-proclaimed best fisherman may still have plenty of great fights in front of him.
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7
- Michael Chiesa
- "Maverick"
- 16-7-0
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The former TUF: Live winner may have lost his last two fights to Sean Brady and Vincente Luque in 2021 but at #13 in the welterweight rankings the 17-fight UFC veteran is still dangerous. With a four-fight win streak after moving up to welterweight before the aforementioned fights, Maverick is a threat on the ground with six submission in the UFC, and should still get a ranked fighter in his next outing.
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8
- Yana Santos
- "Foxy"
- 14-8-0, 1 NC
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At #6 in the Women's Bantamweight rankings, the only thing stopping Kunitskaya from being higher on the list is her lack of finishes, lack of divisional depth, and 2-2 in her past four fights. But with wins over high-level talent like Ketlen Vieira. After having a baby with former title challenger Thiago Santos, Foxy was just booked for March 2023 against former champion Holly Holm. If Kunitskaya can pick up a win, look for the Russian to crack the top three of the division.
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9
- Tatiana Suarez
- 10-0-0
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Another fighter to make this list twice, Suarez is still 5-0 in the UFC, 8-0 overall but the standout wrestler has not fought since before COVID-19 existed. At just 31 with power in the hands and submissions on the ground, the two-time World Jiu-Jitsu Championship may still have a bright future ahead.
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10
- Chris Weidman
- "The All-American"
- 16-7-0
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While the former Middleweight Champion has had a steep fall from grace, going just 2-6 since losing his title back in late 2015, All-American is still a respected name who defeated recent PFL runner-up Omari Akhmedov back in 2020. A freak leg break against Uriah Hall last year had people wondering if Weidman would ever fight again. However, Weidman himself hopes to fight again, and the wrestling stand-out may still have some wins left in the tank.