UFC Championship Landscape: 2025 Review and 2026 Predictions

The year 2025 witnessed significant turnover in the UFC championship landscape, with only four of the current 11 champions holding their titles at the start of the year. Notably, Valentina Shevchenko, the women's flyweight champion, was the only titleholder to maintain her championship throughout the year. Alex Pereira lost his light heavyweight title in March but regained it in October, while Islam Makhachev transitioned from lightweight to welterweight champion. Ilia Topuria captured the 155-pound title after Makhachev vacated it. Merab Dvalishvili, who defended his bantamweight title three times, ultimately lost it to Petr Yan at UFC 323 on December 6, marking a dramatic end to the year.

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In 2025, there were 21 title bouts, with champions retaining their belts in 10 instances. The heavyweight title fight in October ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke, while challengers dethroned champions in eight other bouts. The year concluded with three championship fights for vacant titles, underscoring the dynamic nature of the sport.

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Looking ahead to 2026, predictions suggest a continuation of this trend of turnover, albeit at a potentially reduced rate. The forecast anticipates four new champions by the end of the year. Key contenders include Jirí Procházka for the light heavyweight title, especially if Alex Pereira moves up to heavyweight. Procházka has previously lost to Pereira but is viewed as a strong contender should Pereira vacate the division.

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The bantamweight division could see a trilogy match between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, who are currently tied at one win each against one another. Additionally, Umar Nurmagomedov is expected to play a significant role in the championship picture, having been previously predicted to capture the title. In the flyweight division, Joshua Van, the new champion, may face an immediate rematch against Alexandre Pantoja, who is recovering from an injury.

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Zhang Weili, who recently defeated Tatiana Suarez, may consider moving up to flyweight, potentially after Valentina Shevchenko's retirement. However, her immediate focus may remain on defending her strawweight title against challengers like Mackenzie Dern, who has shown significant improvement as a fighter.

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While predictions for 2026 suggest a lower turnover of champions, the actual outcomes may vary significantly, as historical trends indicate that the number of champions dethroned often exceeds expectations. This discrepancy highlights the unpredictable nature of championship bouts in the UFC.

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• “The last time the UFC had a single champion with a title defense was May 26, 2007, according to ESPN Research.” — ESPN Research

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• “But I feel like Pereira took Ankalaev's soul in their rematch seven months later at UFC 320.” — Analyst Commentary

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• “Pantoja is a lot to handle, though, and I see him reclaiming his spot at the top of the mountain before year's end.” — Analyst Commentary

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This comprehensive review of the UFC championship landscape in 2025 and predictions for 2026 illustrates the ongoing evolution of the sport, characterized by both unexpected outcomes and the emergence of new contenders.

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