MMA fights fans want to see in 2023

• 2022 gave MMA fans much excitement, and it seems 2023 will also do the same.
•  This is because several eye-catching fights have already been confirmed. 
• There are other fights which have not been confirmed, but fans would love to see them next year.

MMA fans have a reason to be happy, as it has already been confirmed that several eye-catching fights will take place in 2023. 

2022 gave MMA fans much excitement, and it seems 2023 will also do the same. Some of the confirmed fights include a lightweight championship bout between Fighter of the Year Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev. 

The world will also witness a record-breaking fourth meeting between Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 283. 

Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader will also be defending his title in a rematch against Fedor Emelianenko. The legendary Fedor will be competing for the last time at Bellator 290. 

Well, there are other fights that have not been confirmed, but fans would love to see them next year. Here are the top five fights MMA fans would love to see before the end of 2023:

1. Israel Adesanya v Alex Pereira 2 

Israel Adesanya v Alex Pereira 2 has not been confirmed, but it is a fight many MMA fans can’t wait to see. 

In their first meeting at UFC a few weeks ago, Alex Pereira defeated Adesanya via technical knockout in the fifth round.

Israel Adesanya v Alex Pereira. Photo/ Sporting News.

This was Adesanya’s first loss at middleweight, and he lost the UFC Middleweight Championship. Well, we can’t wait to see the New Zealand fighter seek revenge against Alex next year. 

Prior to their MMA bout, Alex had defeated Israel twice in kickboxing. Adesanya may have met his match, and this could turn out to be a great rivalry in the next few years. 

2. Francis Ngannou v Jon Jones 

Conquering another weight class is perhaps the only thing remaining on Jon Jones’ amazing resume. The 37-year-old has dominated the light-heavyweight class, and many fans think that he is the greatest MMA fighter in history. 

Jon Jones previously stated that he intends to move up to the heavyweight division. And if he could do so next year, then MMA fans, we would be more than excited to see him in action with Francis Ngannou. 

Francis is arguably the most fearsome striker in the heavyweight division. The French-Cameroonian has the power to knock Jon Jones, as shown by his 14-year experience. 

But it wouldn’t also come as a surprise if Jones knock him out. This is one of the fights that could drive MMA fans crazy in 2023. 

3. Kayla Harrison v Amanda Nunes or Cris Cyborg

Kayla Harrison v Amanda Nunes. Photo/ YouTube.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Bellator keep saying that a cross-promotional event is possible. However, it is yet to take place. 

Kayla Harrison recently lost to Larissa Pacheco at the 2022 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament Final. But that does not change the fact that she is one of the toughest women on PFL. 

If the cross-promotional event takes place in 2023, MMA fans would love to see Kayla Harrison face UFC champion Amanda Nunes or Cyborg. 

4. Zhang Weili v Rose Namajunas 3

Zhang Weili, the first Chinese UFC champion, has been sensational in her last two fights. However, she is yet to defeat Rose Namajunas. 

The two have met twice before, and Rose has emerged victorious on both occasions. Rose sensationally knocked out Zhang Weili when they met at UFC 261. 

The Chinese fighter will be looking forward to taking revenge in their next meeting. On the other hand, Rose Namajunas will look to become a three-time strawweight champion. This is undoubtedly one of the MMA fights fans would love to see in 2023.

Zhang Weili v Rose Namajunas. Photo/ The China Project.

5. Jonny Eblen v Fabian Edwards 

There have never been brothers in MMA who are champions simultaneously in different promotions. 

Fabian Edwards’ elder brother, Leon, became champion in UFC after defeating Usman to claim the welterweight title. 

Well, Fabian also has the chance to win a title next year, following his two victories in 2022. Fabian defeated Lyoto Machida in May and Charlie Ward in October to be second in Bellator’s middleweight rankings. 

He now has a chance to face Jonny Eblen and claim a champion like his brother. However, this will not be easy, considering Eblen has not lost any match since beginning his career. 

This is one of the fights MMA fans would love to see in 2023.