With another action-packed year of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie takes a look at the best fights from January to December 2022.
As voted on by our entire staff, here are the top five and winner of MMA Junkie’s Fight of the Year.
Honorable mentions
5
Stephen Thompson def. Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN 42
Stephen Thompson got back on the winning track after nearly two years when he defeated Kevin Holland in their welterweight headliner.
Thompson earned a fourth-round TKO victory by corner stoppage over Holland, who sustained a hand injury early in the bout, breaking a two-fight losing skid and putting “Wonderboy” back in the win column for the first time since December 2019.
THE SOUND OF THIS KICK 🔊 #UFCOrlando pic.twitter.com/sLrNgAoUO4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 4, 2022
4
Matt Schnell def. Su Mudaerji at UFC on ABC 3
Matt Schnell pulled off one of the more remarkable feats in recent memory when he rallied from what felt like certain defeat to finish Su Mudaerji in their flyweight bout.
After getting worked over on the feet through the first and into the second round, Schnell turned the tables on Mudaerji and landed shots of his own before locking in a savage triangle choke to finish the job.
INSANE FINISH TO AN INSANE FIGHT 😱
Watch #UFCLongIsland NOW on ABC 📺 pic.twitter.com/bGAOtPTkYt
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 16, 2022
3
Dustin Poirier def. Michael Chandler at UFC 281
Dustin Poirier returned from a career-long layoff and defeated Michael Chandler in their highly anticipated lightweight showdown.
Poirier, a former interim lightweight champion, returned from a title-fight loss when he earned a third-round submission win over Chandler after a bloody back-and-forth affair that earned Fight of the Night honors.
THE DIAMOND GETS IT DONE IN AN INSTANT CLASSIC 💎 #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/56vHlHqfaI
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
2
Khamzat Chimaev def. Gilbert Burns at UFC 273
Khamzat Chimaev left no questions about his legitimacy when he defeated former welterweight title challenger Gilbert Burns in a memorable war.
Chimaev passed his biggest test to date as he stood toe-to-toe with Burns for the majority of three rounds and got the upper hand. Chimaev spilled blood in the cage and had some sketchy moments, but ultimately he persevered with the unanimous decision win and his undefeated record intact.
These two just left it ALL in the Octagon. What. A. Fight 🔥
[ #UFC273 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV: https://t.co/KOluT78H6K ] pic.twitter.com/zTz9bbGVOf
— UFC (@ufc) April 10, 2022
1
Jiri Prochazka def. Glover Teixeira at UFC 275
Jiri Prochazka submitted Glover Teixeira with 28 seconds left in the fifth round of their thrilling championship bout, scoring what seemed like an improbable tap.
Prochazka remained unbeaten in the UFC and crowned himself light heavyweight champion after just three fights with the promotion. The bout against Teixeira was a dramatic, all-out war that had many ups and downs for both fighters.
In the first two rounds, Prochazka had success on the feet and looked to be the faster and more explosive fighter. However, that would only work in his favor early in the rounds as Teixeira eventually closed the distance and took the fight to the ground using his single-leg takedowns. Teixeira was relentless with his ground-and-pound and top control.
The third round started very similarly to the first and second. Prochazka was able to shine more. He was landing the better shots and hurting Teixeira with speed. But again, two minutes in, Teixeira got a takedown, but this time Prochazka was able to get up and resume carnage on the feet. Teixeira looked to close the distance and find a takedown but was not effective.
On a failed takedown, Prochazka got top position and began to wear on Teixeira with constant ground-and-pound. Prochazka attempted a submission just to get reversed and end up on bottom. Teixeira made the most of the 30 seconds and punished Prochazka with shots, but it was clear Prochazka had done most of the damage that round.
In the fourth, Teixeira clipped Prochazka with a left early and got a takedown. The Brazilian got the mount and dropped heavy shots on Prochazka. He looked to submit Prochazka with an arm-triangle but was unsuccessful in his first attempt. He was reversed and found himself on bottom. From there, Prochazka stayed on top until the bell.
In the final round, Teixeira connected with his cleanest shot of the fight. He wobbled Prochazka with a combination but tried to go for a guillotine choke that failed instead of following up with more strikes. Teixeira ended up on bottom but eventually worked his way back to his feet. It appeared that Teixeira got a second wind as he seemed the fresher fighter. He was connecting hard on Prochazka, but then the momentum seemed to change completely.
Teixeira got a takedown and continued to batter Prochazka on the ground. With a minute left, Prochazka pushed off the cage, reversed the position, and got Teixeira’s back. Without hooks, Prochazka sunk in a rear-naked choke and squeezed until he got the tap. It was an incredible end to one of the best light heavyweight championship fights in recent memory.
