It’s 2026, and the current lineup of UFC champions stands among the best the promotion has ever seen. From all across the planet, this group of elite men and women have solidified their places at the top of their respective weight classes with dominant captures of the belt or notching further title defenses, bolstering their already extensive resumes.
In 2025, the company saw 10 fighters grab hold of UFC gold for the very first time, along with three former champions that regained their position at the head of the pack. Whether these individuals can stay at the summit for very long is up for debate, as most of the UFC’s weight categories feature a bevy of superb-level competition, some with very young and very hungry contenders eager to etch their own names in history.
As the new year rolls around, several UFC belt-holders have already booked their first Octagon assignments, with even more anticipated matchups to be made later on in what looks to be a majorly rip-roaring fight schedule. Should any of these champions survive to see the holiday season with their titles still draped on their shoulders, then they can undeniably call themselves the best in the world.
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Now, let’s predict which UFC champions in each division will remain on top by the end of 2026.
Women’s Strawweight UFC Champion: Mackenzie Dern
Throughout most of her UFC tenure, Mackenzie Dern had been viewed as a top contender at women’s strawweight, notably materializing splendid victories over some of the division’s cream of the crop such as Tecia Torres and Angela Hill. However, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prodigy could never string together enough momentum to carry her to a coveted title shot, often trading wins and losses that kept her just out of reach from the belt.
That was until she logged two back-to-back triumphs against Loopy Godinez and Amanda Ribas over the course of just five months. Propelling Dern into a long-awaited championship contest in the co-main event of UFC 321, where she fought fellow grappling extraordinaire Virna Jandiroba.
Competing for the vacant throne after previous 115-lb queen, Weili Zhang, left the weight class to chase further gold at flyweight, the two women put on an excellent showing, with both having their moments on the ground and on the feet. While Jandiroba racked up way more completed takedowns and overall control time, Dern kept the match very competitive by busting the Brazilian open with sharp ground-and-pound. After a close scrap, Dern managed to get her hand raised to become the new strawweight apex.
For her first title defense, Dern will have a short list of deadly potential usurpers to deal with, like one-time title challenger Tatiana Suarez. But, in all likelihood, the third degree black belt will undoubtedly be thrust into a high-profile meeting with the woman who once held her strap: Zhang.
Losing to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322, it is unknown if Zhang will attempt to keep fighting at 125-lb. Considering the idea that she does move back down to strawweight, all signs point to an immediate championship opportunity for the Chinese slugger. Although Dern is by no means a pushover, Zhang has proven to be one of the best female competitors of all time and will without a doubt be a massive favorite to take back her belt.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Zhang defeats Dern for the 115-lb championship, but Dern will remain in the top five of the weight category.
Women’s Flyweight UFC Champion: Valentina Shevchenko
Recently defending her throne for the second time of her second reign as flyweight queen this past November, Valentina Shevchenko stands as the current number one-ranked athlete on the UFC’s women’s pound-for-pound list and for good reason. Recapturing her title in 2024 in a blowout showing against Alexa Grasso, “Bullet” has already recorded two championship retentions over the aforementioned Zhang and, before that bout, Manon Fiorot.
At the time of this writing, Shevchenko does not have a fight lined up, but she will almost certainly be paying attention to the upcoming clash between Natália Silva and Rose Namajunas at UFC 324 at the end of this month. Whoever comes out on top in that tilt will possibly be matched up with Shevchenko at a later time in 2026, with both athletes presenting some interesting challenges to her.
Regardless of who is put in front of her this year, though, it is highly unlikely that the Kyrgyz will be taken out anytime soon. Even at 37 years old, Shevchenko appears to be hitting a baffling second win in her storied professional career, one that may just take her to the top of many pundits best ever lists before too long.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Shevchenko will stay the champion and look miles ahead of the rest of the pack heading into 2027.
Women’s Bantamweight UFC Champion: Kayla Harrison
From reaching the highest heights in Judo by winning two Olympic gold medals, to becoming the face of the PFL with a pair of tournament wins then finally seizing UFC gold at UFC 316, Kayla Harrison holds a legitimate claim to being called the greatest female combat sports athlete ever.
Winning her first two in the promotion in 2024, the American Top Team product dazzled fans by nabbing the bantamweight strap with relative ease over Julianna Peña. Lighting up the two-time 135-lb ruler on the feet for most of the fight, Harrison ended up locking in a tight kimura with just five seconds left in the second round that forced the “Venezuelan Vixen” to tap, with Harrison becoming UFC champion after three fights.
The victory had made Harrison a sensation, with many hailing her as the true best women’s fighter on the planet. In her post-fight interview, she made it clear that she was open to taking on past bantamweight titan Amanda Nunes, with the Brazilian reciprocating those feelings by staring her down inside the cage.
The pairing was then made official at the end of 2025 and they will thrown down at UFC 324 in just a few short weeks.
Should Harrison manage to topple the legendary Nunes in an all-time upset, then there can be no denying that she is the No. 1 women’s MMA competitor of all time. However, a key thing to note is, while her performances and dedication to training are second to none, the sheer amount of weight the American has to cut could spell an end to her decorated career very soon.
Given how she used to compete at lightweight during her PFL days, the drops to 135-lb are clearly very brutal for her to undertake even just twice a year, meaning she may decide to retire as UFC champion before too long to avoid long-term health risks.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Harrison walks off into the sunset after two title defenses and vacates her strap.
Flyweight UFC Champion: Joshua Van
Besting the renowned Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 this past December, Joshua Van made history as the second youngest male athlete to win a promotional belt behind only Jon Jones. Taking the dominant Brazilian phenom down in the first round, Pantoja unfortunately suffered a severe arm dislocation just 26 seconds into the contest. Unable to continue fighting, the championship went to Van who claimed the TKO victory.
Undefeated since July 2024 after six straight wins, Van has realized his potential and become a UFC champion. For his first title defense, the Myanmar native will have no shortage of incredible and exceptional opponents, including Manel Kape and Tatsuro Taira.
Representing the new wave of upcoming flyweight contenders, Kape and Taira have blasted into the forefront for the next opportunity to vie for 125-lb throne. In the same month, both men recorded outstanding knockout triumphs against other stalwart names, with Kape starching Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112 and Taira stopping Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.
Regardless of which order the two aforementioned challengers receive their shots at the UFC champion at flyweight, Van has all the makings of a title-holder that can stay on top of the flyweight mountain for a long time. Being just 24 years of age, he will have more than enough time to grow his skills under the limelight as one of the premier athletes in the organization.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Van survives three difficult title defenses and rises to top four on the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Bantamweight UFC Champion: Petr Yan
In what was surely the most excellent performance from any fighter in a championship bout in 2025, Petr Yan won his former seat as the bantamweight gold standard when he routed once-though-to-be unbeatable Merab Dvalishvili. Handing the Georgian his first defeat since 2018, “No Mercy” captured the crown after a remarkable display of takedown defense, stopping all but two of “The Machine”’s 29 attempts to drag him to the canvas.
Showcasing an evolved skillset and increased cardio capacity, Yan looked leagues better than he did during his first scrap with Dvalishvili, losing a one-sided decision to the Syndicate MMA representative in 2023.
Although a trilogy meeting with the previous champion is always on the table, Dvalishvili had hinted at wanting to take a break from fighting to focus on recovering physically and mentally. This leads Yan into some fresh matchups between other notable contenders like Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley should they win their respective bouts at UFC 324.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Yan ends the year still on top even after an eventual third tilt with Dvalishvili.
Featherweight UFC champion: Alexander Volkanovski
Continuing to defy father time as a top-tier combat sports athlete, Alexander Volkanovski defied the odds once again by scoring the featherweight belt at UFC at UFC 314 last year. Locking horns with a game Diego Lopes, the Aussie fought a very smart and patient fight, demonstrating masterful strike placement and well-timed takedowns. Although he was dropped at one point in the match, he swiftly recovered to take home the decision and the title to become a two-time featherweight king at 36-years old.
Currently, “The Great” is slated to defend his strap against Lopes again next month in the main event of UFC 325. Depending on the outcome of said altercation, the storied champion can either hang up his gloves or fight at least once more in 2026. Should he be taken out by the dangerous Brazilian by finish, then there is a real possibility that he retires right then and there as an all-time great. If he wins, then he may just stick around for at least one last appearance.
For who could challenge him in the event he topples Lopes, the undefeated Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy stand as ideal opponents. Arguably the premier grappler in the weight class, Evloev has yet to be truly tested across his nine UFC bouts. Murphy has also enjoyed a meteoric rise at 145-lb, most recently knocking out previous Bellator icon Aaron Pico with a hellacious spinning elbow at UFC 319.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Volkanovski beats Lopes and either walks away from the sport then and there or defends once more before retiring by the start of 2027.
Lightweight UFC Champion: Ilia Topuria
There is perhaps no one more popular in mixed martial arts today than current lightweight incumbent Ilia Topuria. Getting his hands on featherweight gold in 2024 and defending it once by knocking out the monstrously durable Max Holloway, the Spaniard traveled to 155-lb this last summer at UFC 317, where he brutalized perennial fan-favorite Charles Oliveira. The win not only heightened Topuria’s already magnificent status as an elite name in the sport, it also made him just the 10th fighter to gain UFC titles in two different divisions.
While we didn’t get to see anymore of the surging juggernaut in 2025, Topuria’s first outing as the face of the 155-lb class has been widely anticipated. Unfortunately, audiences will have to wait a little bit longer for his return, as he is currently in the midst of a messy divorce that has kept his attention away from training.
In the meantime while Topuria endeavors to get his personal life in order, the UFC has prepared an interim championship match between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje with the purpose of setting up the next man in line for the belt. In either scenario, “El Matador” will have a tough test on his hands as both men represent the cream of the crop of the lightweight crowd.
There is also the possibility of Topuria being paired with the exceptional Arman Tsarukyan at some time later this year. Winner of five straight, the Armenian was expected to tango with Islam Makhachev earlier in 2025, but a botched weight cut forced him out of that fight.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Topuria continues his undefeated streak against the best of the best at lightweight to end 2026 still the champion
Welterweight UFC Champion: Islam Makhachev
Notching four consecutive title defenses as the 155-lb apex, Islam Makhachev took a chance and made the jump up to welterweight to add a second championship to his trophy case. Vacating his lightweight crown in the attempt, the Russian competed at 170-lb for the first time at UFC 322, battling boxing specialist Jack Della Maddalena.
Drowning the incumbent in non-stop wrestling pressure, Makhachev gave Della Maddalena no chance to let his stand up game flourish, taking the Brazilian black belt down at will and demoralizing him. In one of the more uncompetitive UFC championship fights ever, the Dagestani secured the decision victory and the welterweight throne, becoming the 11th fighter to become a two-division promotional champion.
Now at the forefront of the company’s most competitive weight class, Makhachev will have a murderer’s row of deadly contenders, such as Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Morales and Carlos Prates.
However, while these men do pose a massive threat to the champion, the American Kickboxing Academy product has proven that he has the drive, work ethic and the skills to dismantle any and all comers regardless of their prowess.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Makhachev continues to dominate at welterweight and builds a strong enough case to be called the greatest of all time.
Middleweight UFC Champion: Khamzat Chimaev
From his first appearance in the Octagon back in 2020 to his snagging of the middleweight belt last year, Khamzat Chimaev has widely been regarded one of the scariest competitors in the entire sport. This feared reputation followed him into his title match with South African warlord Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.
Between the opening second to the final horn, the Chechen stalwart blitzed “Stillknocks,” keeping him down and landing over 500 strikes on him, earning the record for the second most control time in a UFC fight at 21:40. The performance made Chimaev the new 185-lb king while catapulting him into superstardom.
At this point in time, it would seem that French wrecking ball Nassourdine Imavov stands at the forefront of the list of challengers for “Borz.” Undefeated since January 2023, Imavov has developed into a legitimate nightmare for practically every other top contender in the middleweight class.
Also, American grappling whiz Anthony Hernandez has also emerged as a worthy foe for the impressive European. Embarking on his own extensive stay in the win column since 2020, “Fluffy” has left a trail of destruction in his wake, collecting victories over Michel Pereira, Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Chimaev barrels his way through two title challengers before possibly moving up to light heavyweight.
Light Heavyweight UFC Champion: Alex Pereira
Losing his strap after a lackluster first meeting with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, Brazilian kickboxing legend Alex Pereira was all business in their rematch seven months later at UFC 320. Not allowing the Dagestani’s superior wrestling to dictate the pace, the former incumbent immediately landed a hard right strike that dropped the champion, finishing him off with elbows to the midsection to reclaim his belt.
After having his glory ripped so disappointingly away from him, Pereira has again found himself at the top of the mountain at 205-lb. Now counted among the UFC’s most electrifying stars once more, “Poatan”’s next Octagon outing will surely be met with the utmost anticipation. As it stands now, the new light heavyweight kingpin has a slew of incredible matchups on the horizon, with Carlos Ulberg and Jiří Procházka having etched impressive wins over the course of 2025.
However, while there are fights for him in his current weight class, Pereira may just choose to, instead, try his chances at heavyweight. For quite some time now, he has flirted with the idea of putting on some extra mass for potential bouts with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.
Given his age and general wear-and-tear of a long combat sports tenure, Pereira likely has only a select few fights left, and one of those may just involve competing for the 265-lb strap.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Pereira defends his championship once then moves up to heavyweight to pursue a third title.
Heavyweight UFC champion: Tom Aspinall
After a long and protracted affair of cementing a championship unification bout with then heavyweight king Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall was finally promoted to undisputed belt-holder following the retirement of “Bones.” In his first foray as champion, the Englishman clashed with French Muay Thai specialist Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
What was billed to be a rip-roaring collision between two of the best heavyweights of the modern era of the UFC, the bout ended in controversy after Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, ending their encounter with a no contest.
As soon as possible in 2026, these two men need to be booked in an immediate rematch. For the newly-crowned Aspinall, his battle with Gane kicked off his reign on the stupendously wrong foot, souring what was meant to be the beginning of a prosperous reign.
Before the UFC can think about lining up more potential challengers for the England native, including a superfight with Alex Pereira, this is one grudge match that needs a definitive resolution. Barring Aspinall’s recovery from eye surgery keeps him out of the cage for a long period of time, he must lock horns with Gane. It will also serve to redeem bettors from their UFC 321 tilt as they prepare to get their picks ready with 2026’s best sport betting apps.
Official end of 2026 prediction: Aspinall defends against Gane and has an all-time classic versus Pereira to end 2026 still heavyweight champion.
