We are less than three weeks away from the new era of the UFC kicking off as Paramount prepares for some action-packed events for 2026.
Not including the BMF title, three title bouts have already been announced, which take place at the end of January.
Justin Gaethje battles Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship, Kayla Harrison defends her bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes, and Alexander Volkanovski goes head-to-head with Diego Lopes in a featherweight title rematch.
However, fans are questioning which future title challengers will be involved in this year’s UFC championship fights, so here are five fighters most likely to get the opportunity.
Nassourdine Imavov
The Frenchman has earned his spotlight to face UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev in his showstopping, triumphant run.
In 2025, Imavov knocked out former champion Israel Adesanya in the headliner of UFC Saudi Arabia, then went the distance to defeat Caio Borralho at UFC Paris, which was widely considered a middleweight title eliminator.
Currently on a five-fight win streak, ‘The Sniper’ has also defeated the likes of Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze.
While it’s unclear when Chimaev will put his belt on the line, Imavov will be prepared to give the King of the Middleweights the most brutal battle of his career.
Carlos Ulberg
The New Zealander made himself the rightful light heavyweight title challenger when he knocked out Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth, keeping a close eye on UFC 320’s main event, which saw Alex Pereira defeat Magomed Ankalaev.
Ulberg has been in championship contention for some time, especially after holding significant victories against Jan Blachowicz and Volkan Oezdemir.
‘Black Jag’ sits on a nine-fight win streak and has only suffered one loss in his MMA career, showing how much of a tough test he is in the 205-pound division.
While it’s unclear whether Pereira is moving up to heavyweight, the #2 contender will be making a strong case for his next title shot, whoever it may be against.
Ian Machado Garry
There are plenty of 170-pound fighters making their claim for the next title fight; however, it’s the Irishman who will most likely take the edge after his two recent victories.
Last year, Machado Garry defeated hyped prospect Carlos Prates and former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision, rising him to the top three in the rankings.
A championship chance came close for ‘The Future’ when he stepped up on short notice to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310, just losing by unanimous decision.
The 28-year-old called out welterweight champion Islam Makhachev after his win in Qatar, as he firmly believes he is next and has the best chance of beating the #1 P4P fighter.
Manel kape
While Alexandre Pantoja is guaranteed a title fight and Tatsuro Taira can make a solid case for a shot at UFC gold, the Portuguese fighter may claim his opportunity in 2026.
In the last event of 2025 at UFC Vegas 112, Kape knocked out Brandon Royval in the first round to make his title statement in the flyweight division.
‘Starboy’ has won seven of his last eight bouts, with five of those ending by KO/TKO, with brutal finishes coming against Asu Almabayev and Bruno Silva.
Joshua Van is well-known for being a very active fighter in MMA, and while he is currently the 125-pound champion, that gives Kape the right to challenge him, since he’s in the conversation for the next golden opportunity.
Lerone murphy
An Englishman who is hungry for a featherweight title shot and may potentially face the winner of UFC 325’s headliner between Volkanovski and Lopes.
Murphy is unbeaten in his 18-fight career and arguably earned the greatest win in his last bout when he knocked out Aaron Pico with a spinning back elbow at UFC 319.
‘The Miracle’ has faced and conquered experienced contenders such as Josh Emmett, Dan Ige and Edson Barboza, which has allowed him to enter the top five of the 145-pound rankings.
The 34-year-old may need to face rival title contender Movsar Evloev to decide who gets the featherweight championship shot ,as both men have yet to lose in MMA and desperately want the opportunity.