Top Five January UFC Fights To Watch
After one of their best years to date, the UFC in 2021 had a breakout year with massive events and major cards. So to continue the momentum, the UFC in January are headlined by Fight Night 46: Kattar versus Chikadze and UFC 270: Ngannou versus Gane. As here are five matchups you should watch.
Image courtesy of the UFC on Twitter
In what anticipates to be a high volume and strategic striking matchup. (22-5) Calvin Katter takes on (14-2) Giga Chikadze in a potential title contending scenario as both men are a few fights away from a bout against UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
However, to focus on the present, this main event will be a story of styles as Katter out of the rising MMA camp the New England Cartel, is known to be a prolific boxer who can knockout anyone with his hard-hitting shots. On the other side of the octogan will be Kings MMA rising star Giga Chikadze, who will bring his kickboxing background to the cage were he has showcased knockout kicks and striking.
I think this fight can go one of two ways either Katter goes in and takes over on the feet or Giga establishes his kicks as well as his underrated ground game.
Prediction: Calvin Katter wins by KO/TKO
2. (#5 Flyw) Brandon Royval vs (#7 FlyW) Rogerio Bontorin
Image by MMA DNA
Apart from the main event UFC Fight Night 46 features a top 10 flyweight matchup that could win the Fight of the Night. Considering both athletes will garner a high pace and balanced matchup.
Before suffering back-to-back losses (Brandon Royval was on the road towards a title shot however when suffering an injury and a submission loss his stock began to plummet. Royval on Saturday night will look to get a key victory and start 2022 back towards the title.
Similar to Royval, Rogerio Bontorin was establishing himself as future contender in the flyweight division but after suffering back-to-back losses. Bontorin improved parts of his game and secured a victory over Matt Schnell.
Overall in this matchup, two aspects you’ll to look out for is both men's submission skills. As both of their victories throughout the years have been via submission. Besides that expect a high paced and possibly violent matchup because once this fight heads to the ground whoever can establish their dominance will win.
Prediction: Brandon Royval wins via unanimous decision.
3. (Fw) Ilia Topuria vs (FW) Charles Jourdain
Image from Marcel Dorff on twitter @BigMarcel24
In a organized matchup a week before UFC 270, (11-0) Ilia Topuria versus (12-4-1) Charles Jourdain will be a candidate for fight of the night. As both men are known for firework performances and leaving everything out in the octogan.
Topuria, an emerging prospect has shown to be an all-around mix martial artist by winning his fights via submission, finish, or by unanimous decision. In the octogan, shown through his fight against Ryan Hall and Damon Jackson; Ilia has the power to end someone’s night and ground game to make his opponents tap.
Originally in what was supposed to be Movsar Evloev, Charles Jourdain has stepped in on short notice to steal the hype of Topuria. Which can happen considering Jourdain’s experience and amazing performance last month at UFC Fight Night 45. Winning through the use of striking and dominate pressure similar to that of Holloway vs Katter.
This fight will surely live to the hype and will get the crowd standing however what gives me cause for concern is the question of Jourdain’s cardio entering on short notice and this fight being Topuria’s first real test in the UFC. Considering Jourdain’s championship accolades and his striking output. Luckily for Topuria however Jourdain does have one submission loss and has shown he does lose against other great strikers.
Prediction: Ilia Topuria wins by split decision. I won’t be surprised if Jourdain can carry his momentum from his last fight into this one but with this fight being on short notice and expected to be fireworks. I give Topuria the slight edge.
4. (C) Brandon Moreno vs (#1 FlyW) Deiveson Figueiredo
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images
Now with everything on the line, this trilogy between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo has been nothing short but amazing. From a fight of the year candidate in 2020 to a heart-warming upset in 2021. 2022 may exceed those moments and end with a fight that will last for the ages.
For the Flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno his key to winning the fight was his jab, how fast he was at the point of every attack, and ground game. Combining overall on that night to be a dominate performance. However, this time around Moreno must establish the jab and agility once again but mix in the ground game more than ever.
When it comes to Deiveson reclaiming his title, his best method of victory would be to grapple and wrestle Moreno throughout the duration of the fight. Considering Moreno was faster than him on the feet and landed the bigger shots. One thing to note however, when entering the fight, Figueiredo has been training with former UFC double champ Henry Cejudo and his team out in Arizona. So I expect a much improved Figueiredo and more wrestling incorporated at UFC 270
Prediction: Brandon Moreno win via unanimous decision
5. (C) Francis Ngannou vs (IC HW) Ciryl Gane
Image by mmaindia.com
In the first pay per view of 2022, Francis Ngannou versus Ciryl Gane is a matchup worth watching. As this unification bout will be the most anticipated matchup since Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Justin Gaethje.
For more about the matchup, our very own Alon Tamir discusses why this fight will be one for the ages.
Prediction: Francis retains the heavyweight title via KO/TKO. Also side note this is Francis’s last fight on his contract. Will he resign with UFC or will he leave as a free agent?
Thumbnail, rankings, and stats courtesy of the UFC and Tapology
