ONE Championship featured several competitive bouts throughout 2021. Moreover, many fighters made a statement by claiming a dominating victory against an elite in those competitive bouts. 

Those fighters proved they are worthy of challenging for the title this year. Furthermore, some of them even secured a title shot. That said, as we recently welcomed a new year, let’s take a look at five fighters who could become ONE Championship champions in 2022.

1. Stamp Fairtex

Stamp Fairtex did something that no one ever expected in the ONE women’s atomweight Grand Prix final. She beat Ritu Phogat at her own game. 

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The Fairtex representative defeated the Indian wrestling sensation via submission (armbar) in the second round at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS. In doing so, she secured herself a title shot against the current ONE women’s atomweight champion, Angela Lee. 

Considering her impressive run in MMA, there is a good chance Stamp can claim an upset victory over Lee. Furthermore, she is a former two-sport ONE world champion in Muay Thai and Kickboxing. However, it is a job easier said than done.

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2. Jarred Brooks

Before his ONE Championship debut, Jarred Brooks made his intentions clear about facing top strawweight contenders and eventually challenge for the title. ‘The Monkey God’ remained true to his words as he spectacularly made his ONE debut, defeating an elite athlete.

Brooks dominated Lito Adiwang with his elite grappling skills en route to a second-round submission (arm-triangle) victory. After this triumph, he claimed the third spot in ONE strawweight rankings.

There is no doubt about Brooks emerging as a new title challenger in 2022. Furthermore, considering his elite grappling skills, he might defeat Joshua Pacio to become the new ONE strawweight champion. However, Pacio won’t be a walk in the park for the American fighter.

3. Christian Lee

Christian Lee lost his ONE lightweight title against Ok Rae Yoon in a controversial decision at ONE: REVOLUTION. However, many believe Lee did enough to claim a successful title defense. 

Even the ONE Championship founder and CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, believed it could have gone either way. Furthermore, upon revisiting the bout, the promotions competition committee upheld the judges’ decision. 

The nature in which their bout concluded left fans split 50/50. Furthermore, many from the MMA world demanded a rematch.

Thus, there is no doubt about Lee rightfully so getting a chance to reclaim his title in 2022. However, it is a job easier said than done as Ok Rae Yoon will be even more inspired to prove everybody wrong.

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4. Kairat Akhmetov

It is a secret to none that the former ONE flyweight king, Kairat Akhmetov, plans to become a two-time world champion. He claimed the crown by defeating Adriano Moraes in 2015 and lost it in the rematch in 2017.

Since then, Akhmetov has been steadily making his way to the top. He plans to secure another fight against his rival, a trilogy against Moraes, and claim the title in the process.

Considering his recent dominating victory over Danny Kingad, he is close to achieving his goals in 2022. Furthermore, fans would be excited to see Akhmetov vs. Moraes 3 regardless of who wins the fight.

5. Ayaka Miura

Ayaka Miura will clash against the current ONE women’s strawweight champion Xiong Jing Nan in the first event of 2022. Their bout will serve as the main event at ONE: HEAVY HITTERS on January 14.

Miura will step into the bout after claiming a spectacular submission (Scarf Hold Armlock) victory over Rayane Marques Bastos at ONE: DANGAL. Meanwhile, Nan is coming off a dominating unanimous decision victory over Michelle Nicolini at ONE: EMPOWER.

Both fighters are at the top of their game. Thus, the fight could go either way. Meaning, Miura has a 50/50 chance of becoming the new ONE women’s strawweight champion.

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Who do you think will become a new ONE Championship champion in 2022?