<p>Throughout 2022, there were some truly incredible sports performances. From individuals to teams, there were plenty of instances where fans were left stunned by what they had just watched. Overall, it was just an amazing year to be a sports fan.</p>



<p>Whether you love auto racing, football, soccer, basketball, or even hockey, you had plenty of reasons to cheer. It feels like the best athletes truly showed up this year, while we were also hit with some immaculate surprises. Needless to say, sports fans have been eating well as of late.</p>



<p>That said, we decided to count down the top 10 best sports performances of the calendar year.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-max-verstappen-s-formula-1-season">10. Max Verstappen&#8217;s Formula 1 Season</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="3218" height="2671" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613325" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg 3218w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=300,249 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=768,637 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=1024,850 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=1536,1275 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=2048,1700 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1245031240.jpg?resize=1500,1245 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 3218px) 100vw, 3218px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing on the podium after the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 20, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Yes, that&#8217;s right, the first spot on our list goes to Max Verstappen. This season, Verstappen won his second-straight Formula 1 title. Additionally, he broke the record for most wins in a season with 15. Sure, there were more races than ever before, however, he showed everyone why he&#8217;s a legend in the making. This was a historic campaign that will be celebrated for years to come.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-houston-astros-world-series">9. Houston Astros World Series</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="6000" height="4000" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613326" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg 6000w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1439851586.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 6000px) 100vw, 6000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jose Altuve #27, Alex Bregman #2, Justin Verlander #35, Yuli Gurriel #10 and Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros participate in the World Series Parade on November 07, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>At this point, the Houston Astros are a hated franchise, and for good reason. They are known for their cheating scandal that rocked Major League Baseball. Despite this, they were phenomenal this past season. Their performance against the Philadelphia Phillies was impressive, and their 106-win regular season was something to behold.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-georgia-bulldogs-defeat-alamaba-for-the-title">8. Georgia Bulldogs Defeat Alamaba For The Title</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="4554" height="3036" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?w=1024" alt="Sports Performances" class="wp-image-613324" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg 4554w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1237836706.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 4554px) 100vw, 4554px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (69) celebrates following the CFP National Championship college football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Jan. 10, 2022 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Alabama Crimson Tide are one of the best dynasties in the history of college football. However, they weren&#8217;t good enough to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs for the National Championship. Georgia went 14-1 last season and even came through with a 33-18 victory in the final. Overall, it was a huge win for that program, and it&#8217;s a performance that will be remembered for a very long time. That 20-point fourth quarter is truly what sealed the deal.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-colorado-avalanche-2022-stanley-cup-playoffs">7. Colorado Avalanche &#8211; 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="5001" height="3501" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?w=1024" alt="Sports Performances" class="wp-image-613323" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg 5001w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=300,210 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=768,538 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=1024,717 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=1536,1075 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=2048,1434 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1241563626.jpg?resize=1500,1050 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 5001px) 100vw, 5001px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup during the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Finals Game six between Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche on June 26th, 2022 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Florida (Photo by Andrew Bershaw /Icon_Sportswire)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Colorado Avalanche have had an amazing team for a while now. Unfortunately, they were never able to put it all together in the playoffs. In 2022, however, that all changed as the Avalanche were dominant on their way to the Stanley Cup Final. Additionally, they defeated the reigning two-time champion Tampa Bay Lightning to win it all. This was one of the biggest triumphs of the year, and it needs to be highlighted.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-alex-pereira-defeats-israel-adesanya">6. Alex Pereira Defeats Israel Adesanya</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="5048" height="3171" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613322" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg 5048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=300,188 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=768,482 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=1024,643 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=1536,965 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=2048,1286 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1441193593.jpg?resize=1500,942 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 5048px) 100vw, 5048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alex Pereira battles Israel Adesanya during their Middleweight fight at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Israel Adesanya came into his Middleweight title defense against Alex Pereira with a ton of confidence. After all, Izzy is one of the most entertaining fighters in all of the UFC. Although most fans predicted that he would win, <a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/449758-drake-loses-2m-betting-on-israel-adesanya-ufc-fight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex Pereira played spoiler</a>. Anytime you win as an underdog, you have to be considered for a best sports performance list. These two will probably fight again soon, however, Adesanya better prepare himself.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-nikola-jokic-channels-wilt-chamberlain">5. Nikola Jokic Channels Wilt Chamberlain</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Nikola Jokic&#039;s dominant 40 point, 27 rebound, 10 assist performance vs. CHA" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-Fx_5YIaQI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Wilt Chamberlain&#8217;s stat lines were truly some of the most absurd we&#8217;ve ever seen. Since his time in the league, only a handful of players have been able to match him. Interestingly enough, Nikola Jokic did just that just a few days ago. The performance was so good that we had no choice but to include it here. Against the Charlotte Hornets, the man had 40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 assists. That is wild by anyone&#8217;s standards. If you love basketball, then you have to appreciate this kind of greatness.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-joe-burrow-carries-bengals-to-the-super-bowl">4.&nbsp; Joe Burrow Carries Bengals To The Super Bowl</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="4477" height="2985" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613321" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg 4477w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1413510831.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 4477px) 100vw, 4477px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals scrambles and runs as he looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Rams won 23-20. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>Joe Burrow&#8217;s run to the Super Bowl speaks for itself. His offensive line was non-existent and he still showed shades of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Joe Montana. The Bengals have a fantastic defense and they deserve their credit. However, Burrow&#8217;s mental toughness helped turn the Bengals from underdogs into a real Super Bowl threat. During the big game, they were only a couple of minutes away from winning. While they didn&#8217;t get it done, Burrow will likely deliver that team a Super Bowl before he retires.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-leon-edwards-dethrones-kamaru-usman">3. Leon Edwards Dethrones Kamaru Usman</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="4305" height="2870" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613320" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg 4305w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1242662501.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 4305px) 100vw, 4305px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Leon Edwards punches Kamaru Usman in their Welterweight title bout during the UFC 278 at the Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. (Photo by Alejandro Salazar/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>The third-best sports performance on our list goes to none other than Leon Edwards. E<a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/432176-drake-roasted-by-leon-edwards-after-losing-s200k-on-kamaru-usman-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dwards was able to dethrone Kamaru Usman</a> for the Welterweight title. Coming into this match, fans thought Usman would coast his way to another belt. Unfortunately for him, it did not go down that way. Instead, Edwards hit Usman with a fifth-round knockout that sent shockwaves throughout the UFC. It was a huge moment for Edwards&#8217; career, and fans loved every single second of it. We can only imagine what their rematch will look like.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-steph-curry-nba-finals">2. <a href="/tags/steph-curry" class="text-word" target="_blank" >Steph Curry</a> NBA Finals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="5713" height="3809" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-613318" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg 5713w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1450841771.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 5713px) 100vw, 5713px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on from the bench during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2022 in New York City.  (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p>What more can be said about Steph Curry? He won his fourth NBA title this past year and he got his first NBA Finals MVP trophy. Overall, he carried that Warriors team, and making a list of sports performances without him on it would be criminal. He deserves this spot, and he would have been number one if not for the World Cup Final.</p>


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-kylian-mbappe-lionel-messi-world-cup-final">1. Kylian Mbappe &amp; Lionel Messi World Cup Final</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="5472" height="3648" src="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?w=1024" alt="Sports performances" class="wp-image-613319" srcset="https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg 5472w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://editor.urbanlinx.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1451143725.jpg?resize=1500,1000 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 5472px) 100vw, 5472px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kylian Mbappe of France vies with Lionel Messi of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Stefan Matzke &#8211; sampics/Corbis via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/611872-world-cup-lionel-messi-breaks-silence-on-huge-win" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">If you watched the World Cup Final,</a> then you know that Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi stole the show. These were the superstars of their respective countries, and they showed up to play. While Argentina won it all, it was Mbappe who secured the golden boot with a hat trick in the final match. Additionally, Messi scored two goals to keep his team together. This was a back-and-forth tilt with France going down by 2 early. However, in just a couple of minutes, Mbappe scored two goals to tie it. From there, Extra Time and the subsequent Penalty Shootout gave us the best dramatics the World Cup has ever seen. If you love sports, you know that these two are deserving of the number one spot. We will remember this showdown for not just years, but decades to come.</p>



<p><em><strong>Let us know your favorite sports performances, in the comments down below.</strong></em></p>