What Are the Biggest UFC Fights and Predictions for 2026?

Makhachev, Oliveira, Gaethje, and Tsarukyan create the deepest lightweight division in UFC history. Islam Makhachev has defended his belt with dominant performances, but Charles Oliveira's submission threat and Justin Gaethje's savage brawling style make any championship bout appointment viewing. The 155-pound division is a constant source of elite matchups, with contenders queuing up for their shot at the title and fan-voted Fight of the Year candidates produced at almost every event.

Alex Pereira is holding titles across divisions like never before seen in UFC history. His knockout power and ability to finish elite opponents at middleweight and light heavyweight have made him the sport's biggest star. Pereira's ongoing campaign to unify, defend, or vacate titles while pursuing historic achievements across weight classes is the single most compelling storyline in MMA in 2026. Each of his fights draws massive pay-per-view numbers and generates outsized media coverage globally.

UFC events in new markets bring fresh audiences and bigger global fight cards. The UFC's push into Saudi Arabia, Australia, Brazil, and Southeast Asia means events with local heroes on the card and expanded international broadcasting. International expansion directly increases the talent pool, bringing in prospects from combat sports traditions across Europe, South America, and Asia who otherwise might not have found the UFC pipeline. The result is richer undercards and new fan bases discovering the sport in 2026.

UFC's crypto-friendly approach benefits bettors directly. The UFC has embraced crypto and blockchain partnerships for sponsorships, fighter pay bonuses, and fan engagement programs. This alignment means crypto sportsbooks like Stake and Cloudbet can advertise more openly around UFC events, driving better promotions, deeper markets, and more competitive odds for MMA bettors. Crypto betting on UFC has grown substantially each year, with fight-night prop volumes rivaling major traditional sports events at leading platforms.

“ESPN's lead MMA reporter Brett Okamoto described Makhachev as operating at a level above every other fighter at 155 pounds. His wrestling base, Sambo credentials, and refined striking under Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's legacy system make him near-impossible to finish. Okamoto noted that the real question for 2026 is whether Oliveira or Tsarukyan can exploit the rare defensive lapses Makhachev has shown, and whether the UFC can book the superfights fans want — including a potential Makhachev vs. Topuria crossover.”

Source: ESPN MMA (Brett Okamoto)

“Ariel Helwani, one of the sport's most respected journalists, argued that Alex Pereira has transcended the typical UFC star model. His combination of elite striking, knockout-or-be-knocked-out fight style, and Brazilian superstar status mean his bouts register PPV numbers usually reserved for megafights. Helwani predicted at least two Pereira title defenses or unification bouts in 2026, each capable of breaking platform-specific streaming records on ESPN+. He also flagged Ilia Topuria as the most likely challenger to emerge from the featherweight division to challenge Makhachev in a crossover super-fight.”

Source: MMA Fighting (Ariel Helwani)

“The Athletic's MMA coverage identified Topuria as the most technically gifted striker in the UFC's top 10 across all weight classes. His combination of Georgian wrestling, high-level boxing mechanics, and ruthless finishing instinct have made him a favorite among analysts who believe pound-for-pound rankings will shift toward him by year-end. With Jon Jones' activity level uncertain due to age and contractual negotiations, Topuria's trajectory in 2026 could see him jump to lightweight to challenge Makhachev in what would be the biggest fight the UFC can make.”

Source: The Athletic MMA (Ken Hathaway)