The Ultimate Fight Challenge: Predicting the 2026 UFC Champions
The world of MMA has once again proven its unpredictability, leaving us all feeling like we're in the dark. In 2025, an astonishing ten out of eleven UFC weight classes saw new champions crowned, with only the women's flyweight division remaining unchanged. This level of unpredictability is a testament to the excitement and chaos that defines this sport.
Despite our past failures in predictions, we're not giving up. It's time to dive into the world of speculation and make our bold predictions for the 2026 UFC champions. Get ready for a thrilling ride as we explore the possibilities and uncover the potential controversies that lie ahead.
Heavyweight Division: A Title Up for Grabs
Entering 2026, the heavyweight division is in a state of flux. Last year, Tom Aspinall was promoted to undisputed champion, but his reign was short-lived due to an illegal eye poke during his defense against Ciryl Gane. Now, Aspinall is facing surgery and an uncertain timeline for his return.
Most of our staff predict that Aspinall will retain the title upon his return, but rumors suggest that light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira might move up to challenge Gane for an interim title. If Aspinall's recovery takes longer than expected, will he vacate the belt? The heavyweight division is brimming with intrigue and uncertainty.
Light Heavyweight: A Tale of Two Champions
In 2025, the MMA Fighting staff was divided between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev as the light heavyweight champions. Both predictions turned out to be correct, with Ankalaev taking the title from Pereira in March, only to lose it back to him in October. Now, the question arises: How long will Pereira, or "Poatan," stick around at 205?
Our staff is split on the light heavyweight outlook for 2026. Half believe Pereira will move up, leaving Jiri Prochazka to reclaim the belt, while the other half backs "Poatan" to retain his throne. There's also the wild card pick of Azamat Murzakanov, who might just etch his name in history this year.
Middleweight: The Prince Who Was Promised
Khamzat Chimaev, the favorite to win the title in 2025, delivered on that promise and is now the runaway favorite to hold onto his belt in 2026. Chimaev, the Prince Who Was Promised, dominated the middleweight division with one of the most impressive performances of 2025.
Interestingly, none of our staff predicted Chimaev's next opponent, Nassourdine Imavov, to hold the middleweight title. Mike Heck believes "Fluffy" Hernandez will dethrone Chimaev, while I predict that former champion Dricus du Plessis will reclaim the crown by defeating the winner of the vacant belt fight after Chimaev moves up to 205.
Welterweight: A Division in Flux
Islam Makhachev was the only staff member to correctly predict the welterweight champion last year, and now a majority are siding with him for 2026. Makhachev moved up to 170 pounds in November and dominated Jack Della Maddalena, becoming the UFC's 11th two-division champion.
The welterweight division is a hotbed of activity, with Kamaru Usman, Michael Morales, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Ian Machado Garry, and Carlos Prates all in the mix. While most predict Makhachev to retain, Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee are impressed by the rise of Michael Morales. I, however, am going with the long-time divisional boogeyman who has been forgotten by many.
Lightweight: A Division of Uncertainties
Lightweight is perhaps the toughest division to predict in 2026 due to the unknowns at the top. Later this month, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will face off for an interim title while Ilia Topuria takes time off for personal reasons. The assumption is that Topuria will face the winner, but is that a safe bet?
Amid the uncertainty, half of our staff sides with Topuria, believing he will fight Pimblett or Gaethje and that will be it for 2026. The other half picks Arman Tsarukyan, who should be fighting for the title. Blaine David adds a twist with 'BMF' champion Max Holloway joining the two-division champion club.
Featherweight: A Division of Intrigue
Alexander Volkanovski, who reclaimed the vacant featherweight title last year, will face Diego Lopes again in a few weeks. Three of our staffers believe Volkanovski will win, while two think Lopes will take the title this time around.
But if Volkanovski retains, will he stick around? At 37, with a guaranteed spot in the Hall of Fame, what more is there for "The Great" to accomplish? Volkanovski has mentioned one more title defense before moving up to lightweight, but will he follow through? Featherweight is one of the most intriguing divisions for 2026.
Bantamweight: A Tale of Redemption
Last year, six staffers picked Umar Nurmagomedov to win the bantamweight title, only to be proven wrong when Merab Dvalishvili defeated him at UFC 311. This year, five of us have chosen Umar to win the title, while Guilherme Cruz believes Merab will win the rubber match. Mike Heck stands by his pick of Petr Yan to keep the belt throughout 2026.
Flyweight: A Division of Surprises
Joshua Van, an unranked fighter at the start of 2025, ended the year as the flyweight champion, one of the most impressive breakout years ever. Flyweights is the most contentious division to predict due to Van's unexpected title win.
Only Blaine David believes Van will keep his momentum in 2026. Two staffers predict a return for long-reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja, while two others believe Manel Kape will finally get his title shot. The two Japanese contenders, Kyoji Horiguchi and Tatsuro Taira, are also in the mix.
But knowing the flyweight division, all our predictions might be wrong, and we could see a surprise champion like Lone'er Kavanagh.
Women's Bantamweight: A Battle of Champions
In 2025, the majority of our staff picked Kayla Harrison to win the bantamweight belt, and they were right. This year, Harrison still has the majority of votes to retain, but with the Amanda Nunes fight approaching, two of our staff believe Nunes will return to glory. Mike Heck goes off the board, picking flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko to move up to 135 pounds and solidify her claim as the WMMA GOAT.
Women's Flyweight: Shevchenko's Reign Continues?
Valentina Shevchenko, the only champion to hold the undisputed title throughout 2025, is the favorite to do so again in 2026. At 38, after a sensational 2025 campaign, who would dare bet against her?
Mike Heck isn't picking against Shevchenko, but he believes she'll move up to bantamweight. Guilherme Cruz and Alexander K. Lee predict Shevchenko will lose her belt, with Natalia Silva and Alexia Thainara as potential challengers.
Strawweight: The Reign of Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili, the strawweight GOAT, is our almost unanimous pick for 2026. Zhang vacated her title to move up to 125 pounds, allowing Mackenzie Dern to win the vacant title. However, after being dominated by Shevchenko, Zhang seems set to return to 115 pounds as a favorite over any opponent.
I, as one of the few who never doubted Mackenzie Dern, am thrilled with her 2025 performance. Not only did she fight for a belt, but she won it. Banners hang forever, and I'm not about to abandon her now. You can choose the safe and predictable path, but I'm choosing to live. Dern 2026!
