The UFC held their last fight card of 2022 this past weekend as Sean Strickland, and Jared Cannonier closed out the year with UFC Vegas 66 in the APEX. 2022 was an amazing year for UFC fans, with tons of fantastic fights with a ton of hype. We saw 3 Champions lose their belts via finish in the 5th after dominating the first four rounds on the scorecards, multiple belts exchanged hands, and many legends rode off into the sunset after many successful years in the sport they love. The UFC looks to carry over the momentum from a great 2022 and has a great slate of cards that are all sure to start 2023 with a bang!
UFC 283 – Rio De Janeiro, January 21st
The UFC makes its return to Brazil with a card that is sure to entertain audiences both in and outside of the arena. The card is stacked top to bottom with some of the best and most entertaining fighters that Brazil has to offer, as they all have their eyes set on showing off for their countrymen. The card was already exciting with Figueiredo vs Moreno 4 but has become even more of a must-watch event with the sudden addition of Teixeira vs Hill after Dana White was unimpressed with the main event of UFC 282.
UFC 284 – Perth, February 11th
Islam Makhachev’s first defense of his belt will be against Alexander Volkanovski as he moves up a weight division with his eyes set on claiming a second belt. Meanwhile, Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett will be facing off for the Interim Featherweight Belt and a shot at Volkanovski when he moves back down. Volkanovski currently sits as a heavy underdog in the betting lines, and when the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world is an underdog, you already know the fight is going to be amazing.
UFC 286 – London, March 18th
The UFC will make its return to London in March in what will be the second PPV of the month after the promotion makes a stop at home in Las Vegas for UFC 285 on March 4th. No one has been scheduled for either card, but with the card being in London, it’s a safe assumption that Leon Edwards will be making his first defense in the O2 arena. Recent rumors have come out that Usman may not be ready to fight in a rematch with Edwards come March, and if that is true, I’d personally like to see Belal Muhammad get a rematch with Edwards after their first fight ended in a no-contest. Another safe bet is that Paddy Pimblett will be making his return to the Octagon in front of a home crowd and after his controversial win over Gordon, will most likely find himself once again in a favorable matchup in front of thousands of adoring fans.
