McGregor and Jones: the big absentees in 2022

New and old characters brought to life the highest level of competition in mixed martial arts through 2022. Some champions successfully defended, others were dethroned; some former champions found their way back to the throne, while others bid farewell to the octagon for good.

Among the bad, the injuries (and illnesses) that ruined events and halted careers; the suspicions of irregular betting that currently surround the sport; the controversial judges’ cards that left us speechless.

Also the absences. And there were two in particular, caused by different reasons, that were felt the most. When we talk about the faces of MMA, they are two of its greatest exponents; they are two who left their mark on the history of the sport and UFC specifically. Two of the three who defined the scene in the 2010s.

Two fighters who did not step into the octagon in 2022, but whose returns sometime in 2023, with intentions of returning to shine and perhaps even reign over the competition, would take the front pages during the year.

And it wasn’t that McGregor and Jones disappeared during the year; in fact, on a weekly basis we saw them active on social media opining on everything. Their presence was felt. But when the words are repeated, and the message begins to fall on deaf ears, the only thing left is to fight to defend the truth you prophesy. And in relation to that, we are still waiting.

McGregor and his broken leg

The UFC has proven that it can survive and thrive without the Irish superstar, but that doesn’t detract or detract from the ‘Notorious’ presence when he is in competition. Unfortunately, 2022, like 2019 and 2017, was another lost year for McGregor in terms of octagon activity.

His absence in 2022 following the broken leg he suffered in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier in July 2021 ruined McGregor’s good momentum in terms of activity: 2021 was his first year of multiple UFC fights since 2016, and although he lost both, his popularity and stardom did not fade in the slightest.

As we continue to wait and speculate for his return, which wouldn’t be until the second part of 2023, McGregor continues to drop hints about everything via social media, from his larger physique to possible opponents in different weight classes, assuring that he’s still the king of the sport.

And he is, when we’re talking about attractions. Inside the cage is another matter, and with each passing day, it feels like McGregor’s best inside the octagon is receding, to the level that imagining him against the current elite at 155 feels… unfair. The narrative on his return about winning a title again looks absurd at the moment, but it’s not without merit to the casual fan following the first two-time champion in UFC history.

Jones and his long-awaited heavyweight debut
And speaking of inactivity. Wow. We knew the great Jones would be out for a while as he works on his physique for the jump to heavyweight in search of history, but February marks 3 years since his last fight, and we’re likely to kick off 2023 with no news of his return to action.

As is typical with all things related to the former light heavyweight champion, much of the debris on the road to his return was laid by himself, often outside the cage (something he shares with McGregor). But in this case the MMA gods also conspired, between Francis Ngannou’s injury and Stipe Miocic’s lack of interest, to delay Jones’ debut in the top weight class.

Ngannou vs. Jones for the title in 2022 was probably the consensus most anticipated fight of the year, and going into 2023 it almost certainly remains that way. Expectations, though 365 days later, are still huge.

And why not, Jones is in the conversation for being the GOAT (for many he leads it) and the challenge of moving up to heavyweight after reigning at 205 is worthy of his greatness, with inactivity as an added risk. Awaiting him is Ngannou, the most feared knockout man in UFC who seemed to raise his game in his first defense and most recent fight before knee surgery. Can’t wait.

With that said, when Jones returns, and it HAS to be in 2023, his return (fingers crossed against Ngannou) and heavyweight debut will undoubtedly be one of the biggest stories of the year. Throw in McGregor’s own return, and boom, suddenly it would feel more like 2016 in the UFC, definitely not 2022.