Picture this: The UFC in 2026 could be a whirlwind of title changes, with fighters clawing their way to glory and champions defending their thrones like never before. It's a thrilling time in mixed martial arts, but what if my bold forecasts for the year's endgame turn out to be spot-on? Let's dive into the drama and see what the future holds for these elite warriors. And trust me, this is the part most people miss – the subtle shifts that could rewrite the sport's history.
The year 2025 has been nothing short of a championship rollercoaster in the UFC, even though by its close, many belts are still clutched by faces we've grown familiar with. Out of the 11 reigning UFC champions across men's and women's divisions, just four of them started the year as titleholders. Two more began as past champs, and one had been holding an interim belt for two years running.
Where's all the shake-up, you ask? Well, only one of those original four titleholders from January, women's flyweight superstar Valentina Shevchenko, kept her 125-pound crown the whole way through without interruption. Alex Pereira, the light heavyweight king, dropped his belt in March during a clash at UFC 313 against Magomed Ankalaev, but roared back to reclaim it with a first-round knockout in October at UFC 320. Islam Makhachev swapped belts mid-year, entering 2025 as lightweight champ and exiting as the new welterweight ruler. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria seized the opportunity when Makhachev vacated the 155-pound title, knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the featherweight gold he'd left behind.
But here's where it gets controversial – no champion was as relentlessly active as Merab Dvalishvili. The bantamweight king made his debut title defense in January, followed by seconds in June and October. He even aimed for a record-breaking fourth defense in a single year at UFC 323 on December 6, only to face a heartbreaking defeat, losing his belt back to former champion Petr Yan in a brutal pay-per-view finale.
Sounds like a game of musical chairs, doesn't it? And this is the part most people miss – Shevchenko isn't just hanging onto her title; she's the longest-serving current champ, having reclaimed it in September 2024. Plus, she's the only one who's actually defended it this year. Digging into UFC history, the last time we saw a single champion make a title defense was way back on May 26, 2007, when Chuck Liddell lost the light heavyweight belt to Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson. That left the UFC without any defending champs for over a month until Anderson Silva and Sean Sherk won their title fights at UFC 73. Back then, the UFC only had five weight classes, but now mixed martial arts is booming with far more divisions and excitement.
In 2025, we witnessed 21 UFC title fights. Champions kept their belts in 10 of them, including a heavyweight clash in October that ended in a no-contest when Tom Aspinall couldn't continue due to an accidental eye poke during his bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Challengers toppled champs in eight others, and three fights were for vacant titles.
You could call this year a multifaceted turnover, but let's not forget the personal triumph for me as a predictor. For the past four years, I've bravely forecasted who would finish each year as UFC champions, and 2025 was my strongest showing yet.
Looking back, I nailed five new champions emerging in 2025, and three of them – heavyweight Tom Aspinall (who started as interim champ), middleweight Khamzat Chimaev, and women's bantamweight Kayla Harrison – made my predictions come true. I correctly foresaw Merab Dvalishvili losing his title, though I didn't guess it would be to Yan (close, but no cigar). Out of the six champions from the year's start that I bet would hold onto their belts, four did, with Makhachev and Topuria conquering new weights – I'm counting those as wins too, putting me at 7 out of 11 for the year. Call me Nostradamus if you want!
I'm feeling confident enough to boast because just last year, I admitted my terrible 2024 predictions – I went 0-for-whatever, batting .000. But what does 2026 have in store? If there's one lesson from these years, it's that championship turnovers always exceed expectations – and my forecasts too. Yet, in true unrepentant fashion, I'm keeping my predictions modest: just four new champions will crown 2026. Here they are.
- Light heavyweight: Jirí Procházka
I'm well aware Procházka has been knocked out twice by current champ Alex Pereira, so a third fight might not change that outcome. But I don't see a trilogy happening. Pereira has hinted at moving up to heavyweight, and at 38, time is ticking. If he leaves 205 pounds, Procházka shines as the top contender. Sure, Magomed Ankalaev – who dethroned Pereira at UFC 313 – might disagree, but Pereira seemed to have drained Ankalaev's spirit in their rematch seven months later at UFC 320. In a showdown, Procházka could capitalize on that, proving he's the master of weakened opponents. For beginners, think of this as a strategic chess game where experience and timing decide the king.
- Men's bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov
The division might turn into a rivalry tug-of-war between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, who've split their two fights and could settle it in a third. But I believe Umar Nurmagomedov will play a key role too. I picked him to win the 135-pound belt last year, and though I was wrong, I'm doubling down in classic stubborn style. Whether he beats Yan or Dvalishvili, keep an eye on Umar – and maybe check the blood pressure of Khabib Nurmagomedov watching from cageside, as father and son dynamics add extra tension.
- Men's flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja
In a shocking twist at UFC 323 on December 6, champ Alexandre Pantoja broke his arm just 26 seconds in against Joshua Van, handing the belt to Van by technicality. Pantoja will likely be sidelined for a while, but if he returns in 2026, an immediate rematch is guaranteed. It would be a fascinating clash: Van, with the belt's confidence boost despite less elite experience, versus Pantoja's mastery. I see Pantoja reclaiming his throne by year's end, proving resilience matters in this sport. For those new to MMA, imagine an injured warrior fighting back – it's like a comeback story in your favorite underdog movie.
- Strawweight: Zhang Weili
Zhang might consider jumping to flyweight, perhaps once Valentina Shevchenko hangs up her gloves. But right now, she's better off returning to 115 pounds. Challenging at 125 and losing convincingly to Shevchenko at UFC 322 in November was a bold move, but it shouldn't shake her confidence against smaller opponents. Current champ Mackenzie Dern has evolved into a versatile fighter, but I don't see her – or anyone else – threatening Zhang, the division's rightful queen. Beginners, picture weight classes like levels in a game; moving up too soon can be risky, but returning to form is smart strategy.
These champions are keepers
Tom Aspinall, heavyweight: If his October eye injury from the no-contest with Ciryl Gane doesn't keep him out all year, Aspinall should keep dominating. Only legends like former champ Jon Jones or even UFC boss Dana White – whose frustrated comments after the poke suggest he might not fully back his champ – could stop him. Aspinall wouldn't be the first heavyweight to feel that pressure, echoing past dramas like Francis Ngannou's UFC exit.
Khamzat Chimaev, middleweight: Chimaev seized the title in August by utterly controlling Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319, racking up over 21 minutes of dominance in a 25-minute fight. This hints at a year of virtuosic victories ahead – think of it as a masterclass in control for aspiring fighters.
Islam Makhachev, welterweight: If Shavkat Rakhmonov's knee injury heals after over a year out, he could offer a blockbuster challenge; the undefeated 19-0 finisher is dangerous. Then there's Michael Morales, another perfect 19-0 prospect. Could Makhachev blemish two flawless records? It's a tantalizing question.
Ilia Topuria, lightweight: After moving up from featherweight, Topuria's eyeing welterweight and a clash with Makhachev. But with a hiatus due to domestic abuse allegations he's denying, 2026 might not see it. Even returning unfocused, his undefeated Octagon invincibility suggests no downfall. Controversial point: Allegations like these spark debate – does personal life affect in-cage prowess?
Alexander Volkanovski, featherweight: At 37, with knockouts in two of his last three fights (by Makhachev and Topuria), he's not unbeatable. But no current 145-pounder seems capable. Diego Lopes fights him January 31, but Volkanovski dominated him at UFC 314 just nine months ago. Age is a factor in MMA, like in any contact sport – does it diminish legends?
Kayla Harrison, women's bantamweight: She defends against Amanda Nunes on January 24 at UFC 324. Picking against the GOAT feels insane, but Nunes' 2½-year retirement and age 37 could show rust. Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo champ and quick MMA learner, knows Nunes from their gym days. Even if Nunes wins, it might be a one-off comeback, leaving the belt for Harrison to retake.
Valentina Shevchenko, women's flyweight: Rising stars like Natalia Silva and Erin Blanchfield loom, plus her age 37. Maybe next year I'll foresee change, but not 2026. For newcomers, aging in fighters is like battery life – it fades, but champions adapt.
There you have it – my 2026 crystal ball gazing. But here's where it gets controversial: Are my picks too conservative, or spot-on? Do you think turnover will be higher, or lower? Should personal controversies like Topuria's affect our views? And who do you see as the real dark horses? Drop your thoughts in the comments – agree, disagree, or share your own predictions. Let's keep the conversation rolling!
