Hold on tight, MMA fans, because 2026 is shaping up to be a year of absolute chaos and unexpected twists! We're talking legacy-defining moments, shocking comebacks, and potential upsets that will leave you speechless. Buckle up, because these bold UFC predictions for the year are about to drop some serious truth bombs.
The MMA world is buzzing with anticipation as we barely settle into the new year. The air crackles with the promise of intense title defenses, the rise of fresh talent, and the tantalizing possibility of a history-making UFC event right at the White House. Indeed, the next 12 months could very well be the most talked-about in the sport's history.
To fuel the frenzy, we've compiled 20 audacious predictions for the year ahead. Some might seem far-fetched now, but as the great Tim Sylvia, a former UFC heavyweight champion, once quipped, "Half of this game is 90% mental." Or, to put it another way, speculating is always a blast!
1. Alex Volkanovski Defends His Belt TWICE:
Volkanovski isn't done etching his name into UFC folklore, and 2026 will be the year he solidifies his legacy even further. Prepare for him to defend his featherweight title not once, but twice, proving that the infamous "over-35 curse" is nothing but a myth when it comes to the man from Windang. He'll kick off his second reign with a blockbuster rematch against Brazil's Diego Lopes in Sydney on February 1 – and we're betting he'll make it look easy. Later in the year, he'll do it all over again, facing either England's Lerone Murphy or the undefeated Movsar Evloev of Russia, with Evloev potentially presenting the tougher challenge.
2. Khamzat Chimaev Remains Middleweight King:
No one has been able to withstand Khamzat Chimaev's relentless pressure and raw power, and we predict that trend will continue. Every challenger in 2026 – and judging by his past activity, there may only be one – will find themselves overwhelmed by the middleweight champion. The division might see shifts in the rankings, but the belt will remain firmly around Chimaev's waist.
3. Conor McGregor Returns for the White House Card:
Call us crazy, but we genuinely believe there's a strong possibility that the 37-year-old Irishman will make his grand return to the Octagon in 2026. McGregor, who hasn't fought in the UFC since 2021 and has faced his share of legal battles, is rumored to be facing Michael Chandler on the South Lawn of the White House in June. UFC President Dana White hasn't officially confirmed the fight, but McGregor optimistically told Fox News: "Done deal, signed, delivered. McGregor will compete in the White House." Could this be wishful thinking? Perhaps. But the sheer spectacle of it all makes it a prediction worth making.
4. Manel Kape Dethrones Joshua Van:
He's a former RIZIN champion and a former Knock Out Championship titleholder – and in 2026, we're predicting Manel Kape will add the UFC flyweight belt to his impressive collection. Van claimed the gold after a freak injury to Alexandre Pantoja during their UFC 323 title fight. With Pantoja sidelined for a while, all signs point to Angolan-Portuguese Kape being next in line. This is bad news for Van, as Kape is riding a three-knockout streak and seems to have hit his peak at precisely the right moment.
5. Ronda Rousey Fights Again:
We don't know where, we don't know how, but we're making the call: the former armbar queen of the bantamweight division will give combat sports another shot in 2026. Rousey hasn't fought in the UFC since her devastating knockout loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016. However, she's been dropping hints about a comeback and has confirmed she's back in training. If she decides to return, expect the spotlight to immediately shine on her, because – love her or hate her – Ronda Rousey (Olympian, UFC champ, WWE champ, movie star, renowned trash talker) will always be a draw.
6. George Mangos Gets a UFC Call-Up:
The 22-year-old has been hailed as one of the most promising MMA prospects Australia has ever produced. We're predicting he'll be on the UFC roster by the end of the year. Mangos narrowly missed out in 2025 against Radley Da Silva on Dana White's Contender Series, vowing to return bigger, better, and more dangerous in 2026. "I think I can go to the top quickly," he told Fox Sports Australia last year. It's a claim we're backing wholeheartedly.
7. Weili Zhang Reclaims Strawweight Gold:
Okay, this isn't our wildest prediction, given the Chinese star's undeniable talent and fierce determination. Nevertheless, we're predicting Weili will storm back into the strawweight division in 2026 and remind everyone who's still the boss. Current champ Mackenzie Dern, who outpointed Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 for the 115lb strap vacated by Zhang, has signaled she's ready for a showdown with "Magnum." This won't just be another victory; it will mark the beginning of another dominant run by Zhang, further cementing her legendary status.
8. Rico Verhoeven Fights in the UFC:
Longtime heavyweight kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven sent shockwaves through the combat sports world when he abruptly ended his Glory title reign in 2025, instantly sparking rumors of a switch to MMA or boxing. Widely considered one of the most dangerous strikers the sport has ever seen, the Dutch powerhouse has dropped enough hints to suggest a UFC run isn't out of the question. Just weeks ago, Derrick Lewis claimed he was offered Verhoeven as an opponent at UFC 324, but the kickboxing legend turned it down. Could 2026 be the year we finally see him in the Octagon?
9. Islam Makhachev Finishes 2026 as UFC Welterweight Champ:
The Dagestani destroyer continues to level up, and we're betting on him to hold onto the welterweight strap throughout 2026. That's not to say there aren't sharks circling – Michael Morales, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Garry all pose genuine threats – but we believe Makhachev will prove too strong when it matters most. Also, with Makhachev hinting at a mid-year return, the timing aligns perfectly for a blockbuster appearance on the White House card.
10. Alex Pereira Finally Fights at Heavyweight:
Alex Pereira has been flirting with a move to heavyweight for years. 2026 will be the year it finally happens. The Brazilian superstar has discussed a potential clash with Jon Jones, but there are plenty of paths his debut in the heavier weight class could take. Whether it's Jones, the winner of a Tom Aspinall-Ciryl Gane rematch, or another top contender, "Poatan" at heavyweight will be must-see TV.
11. Petr Yan Holds Onto Bantamweight Gold:
Yan pulled off one of the biggest upsets of 2025 by dethroning Merab Dvalishvili and reclaiming the bantamweight crown – and we're forecasting the Russian to hold onto it. Even if Yan has dismissed talk of an immediate rematch, we like his chances should the UFC decide to "run things back." Should the opportunity instead go to waiting-in-the-wings talents Sean O'Malley or Umar Nurmagomedov, we're still tipping Yan to remain the man to beat.
12. Arman Tsarukyan Claims the Lightweight Title:
When lightweight champion Ilia Topuria stepped away for personal reasons, the UFC quickly lined up Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for an interim title clash on January 24 in Las Vegas– leaving Tsarukyan watching from the sidelines. Although he's been overlooked for now, we believe Tsarukyan matches up very well against either man (or Topuria, for that matter) and will get his deserved shot at gold in 2026. The Armenian has said he'll stay ready for the Gaethje-Pimblett fight in case disaster strikes, and if his moment arrives that soon, he'll definitely make it count.
13. Carlos Ulberg Becomes Light Heavyweight Champ:
Okay, hear us out. Ulberg was written off by some after his lone UFC loss back in 2021, but since then, he's racked up nine straight wins, which should silence the doubters. The "Black Jag's" speed, precision, and calmness under pressure (he's a big fan of meditation) make him a tricky matchup for anyone at the top of the division, including Alex Pereira. That's why we're predicting the Kiwi will not only secure a title fight in 2026 but also emerge victorious.
14. Quillan Salkilld Cracks the UFC Rankings:
The West Aussie was named one of the UFC's breakout newcomers of 2025 after a jaw-dropping debut season that featured one of the most brutal knockouts the Octagon had seen in a while. That run has surely landed Salkilld on the doorstep of the official rankings – and we're tipping he takes the next big step in '26. The homegrown talent is confident in his career trajectory, too, telling Fox Sports Australia: "In a couple of years down the line, I see myself becoming the UFC lightweight champion."
15. Valentina Shevchenko Will Fight at Bantamweight:
Valentina Shevchenko's thirst for new challenges seems endless, and in 2026, she'll move up in weight to hunt for another belt. Whether it's current champ Kayla Harrison or Amanda Nunes – whom she's already faced twice – standing in her way, Shevchenko will arrive with the fitness, honed skills, and game plan to get the job done. Given her combination of fight IQ and killer instinct, don't be surprised if "The Bullet" finishes the year with fresh hardware around her waist.
16. Gable Steveson Debuts in the UFC:
We're pretty confident that amateur-wrestling phenom Gable Steveson will make his UFC debut in 2026, immediately causing a stir in the heavyweight division. Boasting Olympic gold, immense power, and wrestling skills that few can match, he'll be a handful for anyone on the roster. His quick KOs of opponents in Dirty Boxing and smaller MMA organizations like LFA and Anthony Pettis FC could be enough to deter some potential opponents from signing on the dotted line.
17. Tom Aspinall Ends the Year as Heavyweight Champ:
We don't expect England's Aspinall to defend his heavyweight crown soon due to his eye injuries and upcoming surgeries, but when he does step back into the Octagon, we absolutely see him winning. The most likely scenario is a rematch with Frenchman Ciryl Gane, followed by a second fight towards the end of the year. Aspinall's combination of elite striking, legit grappling, and adaptability makes him a nightmare matchup for his fellow big men…as long as he can see them clearly!
18. Israel Adesanya Retires:
Let's face it: Israel has done it all. So we're saying 2026 will be the year he calls time on his UFC career. Recently, "The Last Stylebender" admitted he's no longer chasing titles, which is surely a sign he's preparing to bow out. When he hangs up the gloves, it'll be as one of the greatest middleweights the sport has ever seen, with nothing left to prove. Although that doesn't mean we wouldn't love a trilogy fight with his rival-turned-friend, Aussie Robert Whittaker.
19. Rose Namajunas Drops to Strawweight for a Blockbuster:
The two-time former champion has made it clear she'll only return to strawweight for something "special." Therefore, our prediction is that when Weili Zhang reclaims the 115lb championship, "Thug Rose" cuts down to that weight for a third meeting with the Chinese champ. Namajunas' results at flyweight have been mixed so far, and her upcoming clash with red-hot contender Natalia Silva shapes up as a serious test.
20. More UFC Legends Try Boxing Bouts:
Over the past few years, we've seen fan-favorite veterans like Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, and Tyron Woodley transition from the Octagon to the boxing ring. (Or, in the case of Mike Perry and others, bare-knuckle boxing.) We expect to see more of this crossover trend in 2026, especially given the rise of promotions like Misfits, where fighters can earn large paychecks with arguably less physical risk.
So, what do you think? Are these predictions spot-on, or are we completely off our rockers? Which prediction do you agree with the most? Which one do you think is the most unlikely? Let us know in the comments below – we're eager to hear your thoughts and ignite a debate! And here's a controversial question to ponder: Is the allure of boxing paydays ultimately detrimental to the long-term health of MMA? Let's discuss!
