The three biggest names in the UFC are all facing current contract situations. As their futures become uncertain, who will the UFC look to push on as their new global stars?

Conor McGregor is the biggest name in combat sports. Though his career is uncertain. Many have doubts that he’ll fight in the UFC again, many have doubts that he’ll even ever fight again.

The former UFC two weight division Champion has been recovering from a broken leg since July 2021. There is no time frame on when he will return to fighting again. However during his recovery period he has bulked up considerably in muscle. This has led fans to question if his time at Lightweight has come to an end.

McGregors record at Lightweight doesn’t look statistically great, he is 1-3 in his UFC career. His Lightweight championship winning victory back in 2016 against Alvarez is the only win in the division. However his losses come against two very fierce rivals: Khabib and Dustin Poirier.

“The Notorious” signed a 6 fight deal with the UFC back in 2018, before the huge title showdown against Khabib Nurmagomedov. Now the Irishman has just 2 fights left on his contract.

Francis Ngannou is the scariest man on the planet right now. But he has been at war with the UFC for years over his contract terms. Tension has grown and grown after each passing fight between the two companies.

The current UFC Heavyweight champion just recently made his first successful defence of his title, at UFC 270 last month, against highly talented Frenchman Ciryl Gane. There was huge news circulating around after the fight, as the UFC president Dana White wasn’t in the Octagon to award the belt to Ngannou following the final verdict.

“The Predator” has recently stated in the media that he has been eyeing a move into boxing against the likes of Tyson Fury. He believes at some point in his career he will crossover to the sport of boxing for a super fight.

The Cameroonian natives contract is set to run out at the end of 2022. If the two companies cannot agree an extension, Ngannou will become a free agent. A lot of fans and media believe that the Heavyweight Champion is more than comfortable with seeing out his contract, which could leave his first ever title defence being his final bout of his UFC career.

Nate Diaz for years has gained popularity in the sport, and is one of the biggest names in combat sport amongst the casual fanbase. His antics in and out of the cage over the years have won over many fans.

“The Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) winner of 2007 is still gunning for big fights, 15 year into his MMA career. Diaz cashed in big back in March 2016 when he submitted McGregor at Welterweight, at UFC 196. A few months later a rematch was scheduled between the two, and Diaz ultimately lost via decision.

He was then out for 3 years. A bout against Jorge Masvidal in 2019, to determine who the BMF was, enticed Diaz to return to action. Diaz suffered a bad defeat in that bout. Then followed his latest bout against elite Welterweight Leon Edwards in 2021, Diaz again suffered a loss.

Diaz signed a 5 fight deal with the UFC before Diaz vs McGregor 2, in August 2016. He is currently 1-3 on that contract as he heads into his final fight on probably his final UFC contract of his career. Many fans have been begging for Diaz vs McGregor 3 for a number of years now, as they are sat 1-1 in the series. Can Diaz land that huge payday again to cap off his long illustrious career?

With these three huge names coming to the end of their contracts, the UFC are now facing a huge rebuilding phase. They need to find the right fighters to take over as the new faces of the UFC.

Finding fighters with talent, ability and charisma is much easier said than done. Who could step up to the plate in 2022 and breakout from the crowd?

“Sugar” Sean O’Malley could be one of them. An ever-growing fanbase that connects to the casual audience, followed by insane highlight reel KO’s certainly makes him a standout candidate. The Bantamweight star is currently ranked outside the top 10.

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev, is he ready to take off? Chimaev has been making a huge name for himself since joining the UFC in July 2020. 4 stoppage victories in all 4 of his UFC bouts, and hardly any strikes absorbed so far has led to him being labelled as “Khabib 2.0”. He is currently ranked outside the Welterweight top 10.

Islam Makhachev, the student of Khabib! Since he has been training under Khabib his game has stepped up to a whole new level. Scarily dominant ground game, and seems to pass guard with ease. He has a top 5 Lightweight clash against Dariush coming up soon, a win in that surely sees him get a title shot next.

Who do you think will be the breakout stars of 2022?