Poatan celebrates victory in UFC 320. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
The 2026 season promises to be one of the busiest in recent UFC history. With established champions, former titleholders looking to reclaim their place, and a new generation knocking on the door, the title fight landscape is expected to undergo significant changes throughout the year.
With that in mind, the team at SUPER FIGHTS He analyzed the categories and highlighted names that have a real chance, those that are very close, and those that are outsiders but could surprise by the end of the season.
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Women's strawweight (up to 52,1 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Mackenzie dernThe Brazilian appears as the main candidate to finish 2026 with the belt. Having improved her striking and possessing elite jiu-jitsu, Dern currently has the most complete package in the division.
Who is close?
Virna jandirobaAlways dangerous on the ground, Virna needs just one more impressive victory to definitively put herself back in the title race.
They're outsiders, but they could surprise us.
Iasmin Lucindo, Tabatha Ricci, Denise Gomes e Alexia ThainaraThe Brazilian quartet is in good form, riding a wave of victories and on the rise. A consistent 2026 could place any of them in the top 5 and, eventually, in a title fight.
Women's flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg)
Who is close?
Natalia SilvaThe Brazilian is one win away from competing for the belt. Technical, fast, and increasingly confident, Natalia emerges as a very strong contender for the title as early as 2026.
Male flyweight (up to 56,7 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Alexandre pantojaThe former champion, the Brazilian first needs to recover from his injury to face the youngster again. Joshua Van For the division title. If he returns to a high level, he is a strong candidate to finish the year at the top again.
Women's bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Amanda nunesThe "Lioness" brings more competitiveness to the category. The fight against the champion. Kayla harrison, initially planned for the UFC 324The fight was canceled due to an injury to the American fighter, but the matchup remains on the radar for another event.
Who is close?
Norm DumontGiven the timing of the split, Norma theoretically appears to be next in line and could benefit from moves at the top to secure a title shot.
Men's bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg)
Who is close?
Deiveson FigueiredoThe former champion faces Umar Nurmagomedov No. UFC 324A victory over the number two ranked fighter could put him one, or at most two, fights away from another title shot.
Featherweight (up to 65,8 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Diego lopesThe Brazilian challenges Alexander Volkanovsky No. UFC 325 And he arrives with great confidence. If he wins the belt, he has everything to establish himself as champion in 2026.
Those who run on the outside
Jean SilvaIf you win arnold allen No. UFC 324, now officially enters the group of contenders in the division and could quickly put itself on track to compete for the title.
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Charles of the BronxThe Brazilian will compete for the symbolic 'BMF' belt at UFC 326 and, if victorious, has enough name recognition and history to jump the queue. Arman Tsarukyan and to arrive at yet another chance at a linear title.
Middleweight (up to 77,1 kg)
Who is close?
Carlos PratesOne victory separates the Brazilian from a title fight. The moment is excellent, and 2026 could be the year of his ultimate consecration.
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg)
An outsider, but one who could surprise.
Caio BorralhoAfter hitting the post against Nassourdine ImavovCaio has a chance to get back on top if he wins. Ridder's ReinierA good performance could quickly put him back among the top names in the division.
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg)
Who has a real chance?
Alex PoatánIf he remains active in the category, the Pataxó athlete is the overwhelming favorite to finish 2026 as champion. Power, confidence, and a star aura.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg)
Those who are running on the outside (but not quite)
Alex PoatánIf the move up a weight class is successful, the Brazilian could repeat the historic feat of winning belts in multiple divisions, becoming the first to win three titles in history. The challenge is enormous, but the fighter has already shown that he enjoys such scenarios.
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