Most Anticipated UFC Fights Of 2026

[Bowel-forged Stool]

Jones fans in shambles.

We’ll test that chin like the little poster of the year contest, punk.

 

[HHJ]

We’ll test that chin like the little poster of the year contest, punk.

 

[fries in the bag]

Jiri vs Khamzat

 

[dominion]

Max vs Arman.
Max vs Charles will just be Max vs Kattar 2. And Max knows this which is why he wants this cherry.
Let's see him fight someone who can wrestle. And let's see Arman hang with someone who has TDD and not punk out like he did vs Islam

 

[World eater]

Not soft hearted sir. I just want a reason for guys to fight. Makes it more intersting to me. Also WTF is a "loof"?

A “loof” is an old British word for “aloof”, meaning the opposite of the original word. Ah, forget it, I was trying to be funny on an American forum.

 

[Pierce 34]

Islam vs morales or prates is sick

 

[Dionysian]

Jiri vs Ulberg for #1 LHW contender
Islam vs Morales (though I worry the Islam haters will dismiss it once he soundly outgrapples him) for WW belt
Khamzat vs Alex for LHW belt
Merab vs Umar 2 for #1 BW contender
Ilia vs Arman for LW belt
Max vs Oliviera for BMF
Shavkat vs Prates for #1 WW contender

 

[cburm]

These are the UFC fights I want to see the most in 2026 (not necessarily booked, but possible with at least some likelihood of happening) starting with HW and going down:

Aspinal vs. Gane 2 - Regardless of how you feel the first one went down, we need some resolution on "Eyegate."

Khamzhat vs. Poatan - Middleweight is such a shallow division in terms of talent I'd prefer to see Khamzhat move up to take a stylistically favorable match-up where he still might get slept over him facing Imavov/Costa/Strickland/Fluffly/etc.

Arman vs. Islam vs. Topuria - Kind of doesn't matter which of them are matched up, I want to see all of these fights.

Evloev vs. Murphy - Actually booked, kind of a "stalled contender" match-up between incredibly skilled fighters that would be real threats to takeout Volk.

Yair vs. Lopes - Yair is out with an injury, Lopes is getting an undeserved 2nd shot at Volk, the timeline might line-up for a bad-blood grudge match with both being all-offense this would be guaranteed to be a barn-burner.

Yan vs. Merab 3 - Even though the second fight was very clear and conclusive, I'm such a Yan fan that I have to see him do it again.

Yan vs. Suga 2 - First fight was hot fire, Suga showed up and performed at his best, won a split that many like myself consider a robbery.

Van vs. Pantoja 2 - One of the most disgusting freak injuries in a title fight ever, didn't really learn anything, need to know how it goes.

Kape vs. Taira - If they are going to make Van vs. Pantoja 2 I don't want to see these guys both sit out for a year waiting for a title fight that one of them isn't getting. Put it on the same card as Van vs. Pantoja 2.



What fights are you Sherbro's looking forward to the most that could happen/are happening in 2026?

I see a lot of youre fights are fairy tales..Armen islam??? And periers khamzat?? Pure delusional. The rest aren't even in my anticipation list suga vs yam merab vs yan.

Although those are great matches I'd like a yan vs suga rematch.

I'm hyped for the return of shavkat and him vs islam possibility.

Shavkat vs anyone hopefully title fight.
Islam vs usmen.
Illia to fight
Armen title fight
Max title fight are my hopes to see.
Strickland vs khamzat

Morales and prates are hype jobs
I don't think either has a chance in besting islam. Shavkat or usmen prates will get manhandled
Morales also. They got to the top skipping all the tough fights.
Prates got a win vs leon. But was losing bad getting wrestled by leon

Morales kod Brady
Those are there best wins.

The skeleton of himself wrestler leon.
And Sean Brady who's in believe a top 5 gate keeper.

Let morales fight Ian Garry imo

 

[SamuraiBro]

I’m weirdly not excited for any offical announced fights. I’ll watch, but I’m not pumped for any.

 

[JakePaulMMA]

Bryce Mitchell and Jean Silva rematch at a different weight class, or fuck it. ..let's see them in that Medieval Combat thing.

No horses.

 

[Travis Alexander]

I want to see:
Gable Stevenson debut against anyone in the top 5. (Brock treatment).
Jones vs Alex at the White House
Rico vs Volkov/Black Beast
Arman vs Ilia
Islam vs Morales (and at least one more ww title fight where winner fights Shavkat this year).
Van vs Pantoja
Aspinall vs Gane rematch
Khamzat vs the best AT MW! (also at least 2x fights this year).
Yair vs Lopes (too much beef and fireworks written all over it).
Costa in 2x fights this year to see if it’s a resurgence. Plus he’s never boring.
Caio on his comeback tour give him Bo!
Jean Silva vs ANYONE I need to see him fight 4x this year because he’s must see fucking TV win or lose!!!!

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

I see a lot of youre fights are fairy tales..Armen islam??? And periers khamzat?? Pure delusional. The rest aren't even in my anticipation list suga vs yam merab vs yan.

Although those are great matches I'd like a yan vs suga rematch.

I'm hyped for the return of shavkat and him vs islam possibility.

Shavkat vs anyone hopefully title fight.
Islam vs usmen.
Illia to fight
Armen title fight
Max title fight are my hopes to see.
Strickland vs khamzat

Morales and prates are hype jobs
I don't think either has a chance in besting islam. Shavkat or usmen prates will get manhandled
Morales also. They got to the top skipping all the tough fights.
Prates got a win vs leon. But was losing bad getting wrestled by leon

Morales kod Brady
Those are there best wins.

The skeleton of himself wrestler leon.
And Sean Brady who's in believe a top 5 gate keeper.

Let morales fight Ian Garry imo

Bro I picked one hypothetical super fight that is unlikely (Khamzhat vs Pereira), the rest are very likely even the Topuria/Islam/Arman matchup isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

You are entitled to like whatever fights you like, that was the point of the thread, to share your personal perspective on what hypothetical fights get you hyped.

Thanks for sharing your fight picks.

 

[liner]

I'm most excited to see morales fight. Whether he gets a title shot next or not I don't care
Hes gonna beat everyone at 70, he'll eventually fight everyone

 

[Ozze]

Aspinal vs. Gane for closure.
Topuria vs. Tsarukyan (fuck Topuria moving up, defend your belt)
Khamzat vs. whoever (as long as is not a rematch)
Poatan vs. whoever (no rematch as well)

and I would really like to see a lot of action at WW between the top 7 guys. A lot of good fights to make there, kind like a tournament to see the next 2-3 title contenders.

 

[HHJ]

Usman vs Islam
Merab vs Omalley III
Tsarukyan vs Moicano
Jones vs Oleg Taktarov at the white house