UFC RABs: Potential Champions in 2021 Odds

After a disappointing return to the UFC where Conor McGregor was knocked out by Dustin Poirier in the second round, the Irishman has shown no signs of giving up his ambitions of reclaiming the UFC Lightweight championship.

It is now looking more and more likely that McGregor’s next fight will be a rematch with Poirier as they complete a trilogy of bouts and a win for “The Notorious” would but him in position for a title fight towards the end of the year. Sadly, it does seem we won't see the Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, with the Russain unlikely to come back and fight the man he so deeply despises.

However, a loss in the rematch to Poirier could result in retirement for the former two-weight champion or even a move up to welterweight to compete a trilogy with Nate Diaz, which certainly makes more sense.

McGregor is 6/5 to become UFC Lightweight Champion by 2022, and whilst the odds are short, he's going to need one more bout before talks of a title, especially with the addition of Michael Chandler to the roster.

Since joining the UFC, Russian-born Swedish fighter Khamzat Chimaev has caught the attention of everyone. With three stoppages and three Performance of the Night bonuses in his three fights so far, Chimaev boasted 192 strikes in his first two fights and also taking just two shots, which is one of the most incredible statistics you’re every likely to hear from inside the octagon.

Although he is a wrestler, Chimaev has showcased serious power and clearly has a fantastic stand-up game, making him a versatile threat to anyone in the welterweight division. “The Chechen Wolf” stopped Gerald Meerschaert at middleweight with a one-punch knockout just 17 seconds into the fight, which gave him enough credibility to warrant a bout with #3 contender Leon Edwards, but unfortunately, Chimaev had to pull out once more.

The 26-year-old would likely need one victory over a highly-ranked opponent to warrant a title fight and it is very possible that he gets his chance this year, but he will likely get a chance if he gets another win under his belt, especially as Kamaru Usman has beaten everybody in the division's top seven, bar Stephen Thompson.

Khamzat Chimaev is 5/4 to become UFC Welterweight champion by 2022.

After consecutive losses at welterweight, Liverpudlian Darren Till moved back up to middleweight and got off to a flyer with a win over Kelvin Gastelum. However, Till lost his most recent fight, against #1 middleweight contender Robert Whittaker, where he lost in a close decision defeat, but it showed how the Englishman is ready to compete at the top.

Till might be closer to a title fight than many people think, with current champion Israel Adesanya moving up to light heavyweight to fight Jan Blachowicz for the title. This would mean that the middleweight title might be vacated, with Adesanya chasing Jon Jones in that division, although, this does not mean that Till will get an immediate fight for a vacant title.

However, in truth, the Liverpool man is at least two wins away from competing for the title, with just a 1-1 record at middleweight meaning the likes of Paulo Costa and Jarod Cannonier and Whittaker are ahead of him. Till will be facing Marvin Vettori in April after the Italian beat Jack Hermansson, who funnily enough, was meant to fight till on that card.

If TIll beats Vettori, he's back in the game. If not, his future is in serious trouble. Ahead if the April bout, Till is 9/2 to become UFC middleweight champion by 2022.

With eight consecutive wins in the UFC, Charles Oliveira is looking more and more likely to be given a lightweight title shot, with Khabib Nurmagomedov expected to vacate the title and retire. His last fight was a notable win over a highly-rated opponent in the form of Tony Ferguson. Now, a fight with Poirier to decide the new champion is what many fans are calling for, and in truth, it makes the most sense.

Max Holloway went viral outside of the UFC for his performance in his last fight against Calvin Kattar and the Hawaiian looks set to be the next title challenger to Alexander Volkanovski, provided the champion defeats Brian Ortega at UFC 260. Holloway lost his belt to Volkanovksi and then lost the rematch in an extremely controversial split decision defeat, so will be keen for vengeance and going off his last performance.

The final part of this treble is Francis Ngannou, who has a heavyweight title fight against Stipe Miocic on March 27th at UFC 260, where he is the favourite. The Cameroonian’s last eight wins have come by stoppage in the first round and has recorded four knockout wins in his last four fights, earning Performance of the Night bonuses in three of them. Although he is the challenger, Ngannou goes into the bout as the bookies and many experts' favourite he and is expected to win by yet another knockout.

The treble for these three fighters to become UFC titleholders by Jan 1st 2022 is priced at 13/2 with Sky Bet, and they all look like future champions, it's just whether or not it falls within 2021.

Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all-time, with his only defeat coming through controversial disqualification. With 11 title defences to his name and recently being called out by light heavyweight title challenger Israel Adesanya, there is a chance that fight happens in the future, but right now, the American is concentrating on the heavyweight title.

"Bones" is going to have to wait for the Miocic v Ngannou bout to play out, but it does seem he will get the winner and leapfrog contenders like Derrick Lewis, despite his devastating KO over Curtis Blaydes.

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler made a statement to the rest of the lightweight division in his first UFC bout with a first-round win over Dan Hooker coming just before Poirier knocked out McGregor. It is probably too early to put Chandler into a title fight in his second appearance, but another win would be enough, given how Ferguson and McGregor now have to take back seats in this action.

Cory Sandhagen produced one of the greatest knockouts of all-time in his recent bout with Frankie Edgar, delivering a flying knee to the former lightweight champion inside the first minute of the fight. This comes not long after Sandhagen beat Marlon Moraes with a brilliant spinning heel kick in round two, and you will have to delve deep into the archives to find two better back-to-back knockouts in the UFC.

The American did lose to Aljamain Sterling via submission, hence why he is facing champion Petr Yan next, but undoubtedly, "The Sandman" gets the winner.

The treble for these three fighters to become UFC titleholders by Jan 1st 2022 is priced at 9/2 with Sky Bet.

By Tom Eaton