After a spectacular 2022, what does 2023 have in retailer for struggle followers? There’s a enormous quantity to sit up for within the 12 months forward, not least due to the numerous attainable matchups that we might see within the subsequent 12 months, throughout all struggle disciplines.
Even earlier than we get to potential fights, nonetheless, there are some confirmed and almost-certainly-going-to-happen fights to sit up for. Bookmakers are already providing markets for a few of these massive fights and the extent of betting and fan curiosity will probably be rising all through the opening weeks of the 12 months.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno 4 – UFC 283 – January twenty first
4 encounters between two fighters is fairly unusual, however at UFC 283, we might see one of many greatest tetralogies up to now, as undisputed flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo and provisional champ Brandon Moreno try to carry an finish to some of the thrilling and fierce rivalries in MMA.
Moreno, from Mexico, and Figueiredo, from Brazil, first fought in December 2020 (4-stars struggle, Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno I). Most individuals thought Moreno was out of his depth at that time since Figueiredo seemed to be practically invincible at flyweight, however the two finally fought to a standstill that was so thrilling that the UFC scheduled a rematch.
The second match befell in June 2021 (Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno II). This time was much less of a contest as Moreno beat the champion right into a third-round submission to win the belt for himself. Virtually inevitably, UFC determined to schedule a 3rd matchup between the 2 that was finally staged in January final 12 months.
This time, although, the end result was very completely different as Figueiredo prevailed by unanimous determination after one other fiercely powerful battle (Brandon Moreno vs Deiveson Figueiredo III). Sadly for Figueiredo, contract disputes saved him out of motion, and the UFC needed to give you an interim title for him.
Nevertheless, when Moreno beat Kai Kara-France in July (Brandon Moreno vs Kai Kara-France 2), the Moreno vs Figueiredo tetralogy struggle was the one path to unification. If the primary three fights between these two are any information, then we’re in for a deal with in what’s more likely to be the final phrase in a exceptional rivalry.
Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski – UFC 284 – February eleventh
There are all types of potentialities for mega-confrontations in 2023, however this encounter between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski, scheduled for February’s UFC 284, is one massive struggle that we are able to positively sit up for and it guarantees to be explosive.
Volkanovski is usually described as the most effective pound-for-pound combatant in MMA, however that will probably be put to the take a look at right here as he strikes up one weight class, hoping so as to add the UFC light-weight belt to his assortment, changing into solely the fifth individual in UFC historical past to concurrently maintain belts at two completely different weights.
Standing in his means is one other fighter ranked extremely on the pound-for-pound desk: the virtually indestructible Islam Makhachev, who, like Volkanovski, has misplaced solely as soon as in his profession. That defeat got here again in 2015, whereas his opponent’s loss was even additional again, in 2013.
Each seem like at their peak as fighters. Volkanovski is barely 34 and Makhachev is 31. With each recognized for his or her elite-level cardio, this struggle guarantees to be an exhilarating endurance take a look at with the likelihood that the winner can declare to be the world’s finest fighter.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury – February/March
Heavyweight is boxing’s marquee class and it guarantees a lot in 2023, with this conflict between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury already shaping up as essentially the most thrilling bout in years; a dream struggle that can seize the eye of struggle aficionados and non-boxing followers alike.
Not since we noticed Anthony Joshua get well to beat Wladimir Klitschko again in 2017 has there been such a major matchup (The Ring journal Struggle of the Yr 2017 – Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko), with two unbeaten globally famend champions getting into the ring to dispute the title of the most effective heavyweight on this planet.
Usyk already holds a spot in boxing historical past as the primary undisputed four-belt cruiserweight champion, and in beating Joshua twice, has gathered three heavyweight titles. Fury, getting back from a quick retirement, brings the WBC belt to the competition, having already overwhelmed Klitschko and Deontay Wilder.
If the previous saying that ‘types make fights’ remains to be true, then this bout has all the things. Southpaw Usyk is a pure boxer, whereas Fury’s mixture of peak, attain and velocity is like nothing that the heavyweight division has ever seen. That is one 2023 struggle that you’ll not wish to miss.
Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis vs Ryan Garcia – April
This conflict between unbeaten light-weight boxers is about to go down in April. This struggle additionally raises the likelihood that extra massive fights between boxers on opposing networks might be arrange sooner or later.
Each fighters are nonetheless working in what you might name their bodily prime, and the prospect of a conflict between the 2 is undoubtedly thrilling, with Davis’ energy and expertise forming a captivating distinction to Garcia’s measurement and velocity, which can’t be underestimated.
Given their types and approaches, we are able to virtually assure a knockout. Even higher, they each have vibrant younger fanbases and might present a lift for a sport that has typically struggled to advertise itself to a brand new era. This struggle guarantees to be vital in a number of methods.
