This past year has been spectacular for the UFC, as it remains the golden standard in mixed martial arts. They produced a new batch of superstars, while some mainstays reasserted their dominance.
Today, I listed the top five UFC fighters that fans should watch whenever they step inside the octagon and explain why they are must-see in 2026.
Top 5 UFC Fighters to Watch in 2026
| Fighter | MMA Record |
|---|---|
| Ilia Topuria | 17-0 |
| Islam Makhachev | 28-1 |
| Khamzat Chimaev | 15-0 |
| Max Holloway | 27-8 |
| Joshua Van | 16-2 |
1. Ilia Topuria
The two-division UFC champion remained undefeated in 2025 with a first-round knockout win over Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant UFC lightweight title and become a two-division titleholder.
Although he needs time to sort personal issues, El Matador remains a must-watch fighter today because of his well-rounded MMA skills and incredible one-punch knockout power. He even targets another move to the welterweight division and possibly becoming a three-division champion.
2. Islam Makhachev
Newly-crowned UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev extended his win streak to 16 when he unanimously defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. He also became the 11th fighter in UFC history to win a title in two weight classes.
His wrestling and grappling skills remain unmatched in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions, while his striking skills continue to improve. It’ll be interesting to see who’s going to match his relentless and aggressive fighting style.
3. Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev not only dethroned Dricus Du Plessis in their UFC middleweight clash at UFC 319, but he also mauled him en route to a unanimous decision victory. Like Makhachev, Borz has tremendous wrestling skills, and it remains to be seen whether a contender can match.
Although opponents know that he’ll immediately go for a takedown in every match, they still can’t stop his attacks and still get dominated on the mat. For this reason, Chimaev is a fighter to watch in 2026.
4. Max Holloway
For over a decade, Max Holloway’s name has been relevant in the UFC betting lines due to his fan-friendly fighting style. His boxing skills, unlimited cardio, and volume are the recipe for his success, as opponents couldn’t keep up with his pace.
The current UFC BMF titleholder is only 34 and arguably still in his prime. Holloway has now officially moved up to the 155-pound weight class and wants to make a run for the lightweight belt.
5. Joshua Van
A new era in the flyweight division has begun, with Joshua Van reigning as the new king. Van’s victory over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323 may have an asterisk on his record due to the injury that The Cannibal suffered in the opening round, but he’s still one of the most exciting fighters today.
His brawl with Brandon Royval at UFC 317 is a fight-of-the-year candidate, and at only 24, his trajectory is trending upward, and he has a chance to become an all-time great if he successfully defends his title multiple times.
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