UFC 2026: Predicting the Men’s Champions in Every Division

As the UFC continues to evolve, so do the fighters who shape each division. Looking ahead to the end of 2026, several names stand out as potential champions, whether emerging prospects set for breakout runs or established stars ready to hold onto their belts. This article examines each division and outlines why these fighters are the most likely titleholders by the end of 2026.

ALSO READ: Islam Makhachev Makes History: Two-Division Champion & 16-Fight Win Streak at UFC 322.

Flyweight: Tatsuro Taira

Tatsuro Taira now looks like one of the brightest rising stars in the UFC flyweight division. At UFC 323, he stunned the MMA world by stopping Brandon Moreno, the first fighter to ever finish Moreno, with dominant ground-and-pound in the second round. With the former champion Alexandre Pantoja out after suffering a freak arm injury that cost him the title, the 125-lb division has opened up dramatically. 

That combination, Taira’s momentum, proven finishing ability, and a suddenly wide-open title landscape, could make 2026 the year he finally lands UFC gold.

Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov

Bantamweight is wide open again after Petr Yan reclaimed the 135-lb strap at UFC 323 by defeating Merab Dvalishvili. With Yan back on top, the division resets, making it the perfect window for contenders to strike. Umar Nurmagomedov is especially well-placed. He’s booked to face former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo next at UFC 324; a victory there could very well line him up for a shot at Yan in 2026.

Given bantamweight’s history of volatility, upsets and rapid turnover, Nurmagomedov’s combination of youth, timing and an upcoming high-profile fight gives him a realistic path to becoming champion in the next 12-18 months.

Featherweight: Lerone Murphy

Featherweight is known for its unpredictability, but that’s exactly where strides by underdogs like Lerone Murphy become believable. Murphy (17-0-1) just delivered a thunderous spinning-back-elbow KO over Aaron Pico at UFC 319, marking his first highlight-reel finish in years and re-establishing him as a serious contender. With the featherweight crown back in the hands of Alexander Volkanovski after his win over Diego Lopes, the division is wide open, and Murphy made no secret of his desire for the next shot.

Lightweight: Ilia Topuria

The lightweight division has been thrown wide open after Ilia Topuria announced a break while dealing with personal matters, meaning he won’t fight in the first quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the UFC booked an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324.

When Topuria returns, he’s likely to be the favourite against the winner; his striking, diverse attack range and finishing ability remain elite, and few lightweights match his combination of speed, power and experience at the top level.

Still, Arman Tsarukyan, fresh off a dominant submission win over Dan Hooker, looms as the most credible challenger. If Topuria eventually faces Tsarukyan, we fancy him to win what would be his toughest challenge in the division and end the year as the undisputed lightweight king.

Welterweight: Islam Makhachev

This is one of the strongest picks. As of late 2025, Makhachev captured the welterweight title by moving up from lightweight after dominating Jack Della Maddalena at Madison Square Garden in November.

With elite grappling, conditioning, and fight IQ, he’s built for long-term success, even though the welterweight division is the most stacked division at the moment, with dangerous contenders on the rise. If he stays motivated and continues defending the belt against contenders, he could end his career as one of the greatest ever.

Middleweight: Khamzat Chimaev

Chimaev clinched the 185-lb title at UFC 319 in Chicago on August 16, 2025, dismantling then-champion Dricus du Plessis via a dominant unanimous decision. Throughout all five rounds, Chimaev’s wrestling and relentless pressure controlled the fight; he landed 12 of 17 takedowns and maintained over 21 minutes of ground control, a performance one pundit called “one of the most dominant title wins in UFC middleweight history.”

If Chimaev stays healthy and motivated, his mix of pressure wrestling, stamina and fight-ending grappling makes him a dangerous long-term champion. But his first major test could come against Nassourdine Imavov, the current number one contender. Imavov enters the picture riding a five-fight win streak that includes a recent shock knockout of former champ Israel Adesanya. Despite that, Chimaev should make easy work of the Frenchman.

Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev

Assuming the Alex Pereira vacates or moves weight classes, as sometimes happens, the former champion, Ankalaev, becomes a logical successor. With strong wrestling, resilience, and experience, he fits the profile of someone who could claim and defend the light-heavyweight belt through 2026. This hinges on the division shifting enough to open a clear path.

Heavyweight: Tom Aspinall

Heavyweight may be unpredictable, but Tom Aspinall’s case shows why he remains one of the best bets to hold the belt going into 2026. His first title defence at UFC 321 against Ciryl Gane ended abruptly in a no-contest after Gane delivered an accidental double eye-poke that left Aspinall unable to continue. The fight ended at 4:35 of Round 1, meaning Aspinall retained the title, but the anticlimactic finish leaves plenty of questions hanging.

With a rematch expected once medical clearance arrives, Aspinall has the chance to reassert himself: his size, power and well-rounded striking plus proven knockout ability remain dangerous for any heavyweight. If he recovers well from the eye injury and avoids the classic heavyweight pitfalls of inconsistency or bad luck, he could realistically maintain the title through 2026.