UFC: 2026 Predictions, Who will be the new champions?

Analysis of the Chaotic 2025 in the UFC and Predictions for 2026

The year 2025 in the UFC has witnessed a notable shake-up in the championship landscape, even though the year ends with many belts in the hands of familiar faces. Of the eleven current champions, only four held their titles at the beginning of the year. Another two started the year as former champions, and one more held an interim championship. Women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko was the only one of the four champions who retained her title throughout the year. Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight belt in March, but regained it in October. Islam Makhachev ended the year as welterweight champion, after starting 2025 with the lightweight belt. Ilia Topuria obtained the 155-pound title that Makhachev vacated. Merab Dvalishvili was the most active champion, defending his men’s bantamweight title three times in one year. He attempted a fourth defense in December, but lost the belt to former champion Petr Yan.

Musical chairs game?

Alofoke Deportes

Shevchenko is the current champion with the longest reign, having regained the 125-pound title in September 2024. May 26, 2007, was the last time the UFC had a single champion with title defenses. Back then, the UFC had five weight classes. The sport has grown, and now there are more movements. In 2025 there were 21 UFC title fights. In ten of them, the champion retained the belt, including the heavyweight title fight in October that ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke. In another eight fights, the challenger dethroned the champion. The other three championship fights were for vacant titles.

In the last four years, annual predictions have been made about future UFC champions. In 2025, it was predicted that five fighters would become new champions, and three of them fulfilled the forecast: Aspinall, Khamzat Chimaev, and Kayla Harrison. It was predicted that Dvalishvili would lose his title. Of the six champions who started the year, four ended 2025 still in possession of their belts. The balance was 7 out of 11 correct.

For 2026, the number of dethroned champions is expected to be high. It is predicted that the year will end with only four new champions.

• Light Heavyweight: Jiří Procházka

Procházka has lost twice against Alex Pereira, both by knockout. However, a third fight is not expected, as Pereira has expressed his interest in competing in heavyweight. If Pereira leaves the 205-pound division, Procházka would be the best contender. Magomed Ankalaev could be another contender, but Procházka could be the winner.

• Men’s Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov

The year could be a battle between current champion Petr Yan and former champion Merab Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov could enter the championship contest.

• Men’s flyweight: Alexandre Pantoja

An elbow injury ended his reign in just 26 seconds on December 6th. Pantoja is expected to return in 2026 and get an immediate rematch with the new champion, Joshua Van. Pantoja could reclaim his place at the top.

• Women’s Strawweight: Zhang Weili

Zhang could move up to flyweight. The best thing for Zhang would be to return to 115 pounds. With all due respect to the current strawweight champion, Mackenzie Dern, she (nor anyone in the division) is not seen as a serious threat to Zhang. The champions that will remain:

• Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall

Aspinall could keep beating everyone. Only Jon Jones, if he returns from retirement, and Dana White could stop him.

• Average weight: Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev won the championship in August. A year of dominance is expected for him.

• Welterweight Weight: Islam Makhachev

If Shavkat Rakhmonov’s knee injury heals, he could offer a must-see fight. Michael Morales is also there. Will Makhachev spend his year putting the first blemish on two perfect records?

• Lightweight: Ilia Topuria

Topuria is expected to return to the octagon, but he could show a less prepared version.

• Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski

Volkanovski, 37, has been knocked out in two of his last three fights. Does anyone among the current 145-pound fighters have what it takes to beat Volk? I don’t think so.

• Women’s bantamweight: Kayla Harrison

Harrison will defend her title on January 24 against Amanda Nunes. Nunes, 37, could learn that rust never sleeps. Harrison, an Olympic judoka, knows Nunes well. Even if Nunes wins, her return could be unique, leaving the title available for Harrison to reclaim before the end of 2026.

• Women’s Flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko

Although there are contenders like Natalia Silva and Erin Blanchfield, and time is a factor, a changing of the guard is not expected this year.