As the new year unfolds, mixed martial arts fans are already buzzing about potential blockbuster matchups set to electrify the UFC in 2026. In a recent ESPN article, the outlet's MMA expert highlighted 10 dream fights that could define the year, drawing from the dramatic twists of 2025 and the current landscape of champions and contenders. Titled "10 MMA fights we want to see in 2026," the piece reflects on a year where five out of 12 predicted bouts from the previous list materialized, though high-profile hopes like a Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall unification fell short amid Jones's retirement announcement in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The list kicks off with a bold, cross-division clash: Islam Makhachev versus Ilia Topuria at welterweight. According to the ESPN analysis, both fighters ascended weight classes in 2025—Makhachev from lightweight to welterweight, and Topuria from featherweight to lightweight—leaving deserving challengers in their wake. "This is a controversial top pick, even in my own head," the article states, acknowledging the imperfections but emphasizing the excitement of pitting pound-for-pound No. 1 against No. 2. Makhachev's dominance, bolstered by Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner, would face Topuria's confidence and finishing prowess, potentially at the 170-pound limit where Makhachev holds a size edge.
Building on Makhachev's momentum, the second suggested fight pairs him with Ian Machado Garry, also at welterweight. The ESPN writer praises Makhachev's overwhelming performance against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York, calling it "possibly the most impressive thing to happen in 2025" and cementing his status as a two-division champion. While a matchup with aging legend Kamaru Usman is floated as a viable alternative—Usman, a former champion, has expressed interest—the stylistic intrigue of Makhachev versus the rising Machado Garry takes precedence. Makhachev himself has voiced plans to take on all welterweight challengers, fueling speculation for multiple defenses in 2026.
Shifting to light heavyweight, the list proposes Khamzat Chimaev versus Jiří Procházka, a bout that could steal the spotlight despite Chimaev's undefeated but unproven title reign. The article notes Chimaev's reluctance to grind through repeated defenses, based on 2025 conversations with the fighter, contrasting him with Merab Dvalishvili's four title attempts last year. Chimaev's desire to move up for big fights aligns with Procházka as the prime target at 205 pounds, especially as champion Alex Pereira eyes a heavyweight jump. "From the prefight buildup to the Octagon, this is the kind of fight that isn't being talked about yet but would turn into one of the biggest fights of the year once booked," the piece predicts.
Heavyweight drama dominates the middle of the list, starting with Jon Jones versus Alex Pereira. The article expresses frustration over Jones's 2025 inactivity and retirement saga, where UFC CEO Dana White announced his exit in Baku instead of booking a unification with Tom Aspinall. Jones reentered the UFC testing pool shortly after, drawing criticism for wasting time in the division. Now unchampioned, Jones's superfight with Pereira—who also covets the matchup—faces fewer obstacles, though the writer cautions that Jones "should not be rewarded" after his antics. Pereira's plans could shift this dynamic if he vacates light heavyweight.
Immediately following is a rematch between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at heavyweight, stemming from their UFC 321 encounter in October 2025 that ended in a first-round no-contest due to an eye poke. Gane had early success pressuring Aspinall, setting the stage for a compelling stylistic clash. Aspinall, not typically a trash-talker, has publicly accused Gane of an intentional poke, adding animosity. With Aspinall facing multiple eye surgeries this month and no return timetable, the bout carries psychological weight. "He has something to prove again, making this one of the most anticipated fights of the year," ESPN reports, highlighting Aspinall's need to reclaim dominance after external doubts.
Dipping into welterweight prospects, Carlos Prates versus Michael 'Venom' Page emerges as an unexpected gem. The suggestion dates back to August 2025, post-Prates's knockout of Geoff Neal and Page's win over Jared Cannonier at UFC 319. Prates is hailed as "the most exciting fighter in the sport right now," with his distance control and versatile striking contrasting Page's unorthodox, chess-like style that keeps opponents guessing. Envisioned as a non-title, five-round main event, this fight prioritizes entertainment over championship implications, as Prates's appeal lies beyond a potential title run.
In women's bantamweight, Kayla Harrison versus Amanda Nunes promises a decade-long story come full circle. Harrison, transitioning from judo to MMA nearly 10 years ago, joined American Top Team, the same gym as Nunes, whose departure later in her career was partly attributed to Harrison's rise. Nunes, a two-division champion and future Hall of Famer, is set to end her retirement at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, challenging for the belt Harrison claimed after Nunes vacated it in 2023. At 37 and two years removed from fighting, questions swirl about Nunes's retained killer instinct. "What a story, and what a matchup in general," the article notes, positioning it as an ideal opener for the year's women's divisions.
Returning to lightweight, Ilia Topuria versus Arman Tsarukyan is urged as a must-book for divisional integrity. Topuria holds the belt but is taking early 2026 off, leading to an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. Yet, Tsarukyan is deemed "the best, most proven lightweight in the world right now," with a resume warranting undisputed contention. Oddsmakers might favor him over Topuria in a five-rounder, and the piece insists rankings matter: "If this sport cares about rankings at all anymore, Tsarukyan needs to fight for the undisputed lightweight belt in 2026. And I believe he will."
Featherweight action calls for Alexander Volkanovski versus Movsar Evloev, addressing Evloev's stalled momentum after no fights in 2025. Undefeated at 9-0 in the UFC, including a 2023 win over Diego Lopes—who earns a second title shot against Volkanovski at UFC 325 on January 31, 2026—Evloev lacks flash but boasts undeniable skill. Volkanovski's pursuit of greatness has been a boon for the sport, welcoming top threats like Evloev. "Volkanovski is constantly welcoming the toughest opponents, and Evloev is his biggest challenge out there now," ESPN states. Volkanovski has explicitly called for the fight, aligning with fan desires.
Rounding out the list in flyweight, Joshua Van versus Tatsuro Taira offers a fresh generational showdown. Van's title win came via Alexandre Pantoja's injury, necessitating Pantoja's eventual return, but this matchup stands on its own merits. At 24 and 25 years old, respectively, both phenoms shone in 2025: Van against veterans and Taira in dismantling two-time champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323. "You can't describe either fighter as less than a phenom, and now they've simultaneously proven themselves at the top," the article enthuses, calling it the most anticipated flyweight title fight in years, respectful of Pantoja's legacy.
These proposed bouts come amid a reflective close to 2025, where the sport delivered on half the prior wishlist but missed marquee heavyweights. Jones's retirement and Aspinall's surgeries underscore the unpredictability, while rising stars like Prates and Taira signal a vibrant future. UFC events like UFC 324 on January 24 and UFC 325 on January 31 kick off the calendar with Nunes's return and Lopes-Volkanovski II, potentially paving paths for list realizations.
Broader implications loom for the UFC's matchmaking strategy. Superfights like Makhachev-Topuria or Jones-Pereira could boost pay-per-view numbers, but critics might decry skipping divisional contenders, as noted in the ESPN piece's internal debates. Chimaev's mindset and Pereira's weight moves add layers of uncertainty, while women's MMA gains from Harrison-Nunes's narrative depth. As 2026 progresses, these dreams could reshape legacies, with fighters like Tsarukyan and Evloev pressing for earned shots.
Looking ahead, the heavyweight rematch and welterweight intrigue might headline early cards, testing the UFC's balance of spectacle and merit. Fans and analysts alike await confirmations, but the ESPN list serves as a roadmap for what could make 2026 a banner year in MMA, building on 2025's five fulfilled predictions and setting the stage for even more unification and upsets.