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Brett Okamoto
The UFC completed its 2025 pay-per-view schedule with a high-profile rematch last weekend merab dvalishvili And petr yan For the Men’s Bantamweight Championship, with more rematches on the way.
Two of the first three numbered events in 2026 will feature rematches in the main event. featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovsky will attempt to defend its title against diego lopez On January 31 at UFC 325 in Sydney. Five weeks later, BMF Champion max holloway will have to face Charles Oliveira in a fan-favorite headliner at UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.
Even this weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas, though not a rematch itself, could set up a move to 2026. Brandon RoyvalNo. 3 face off in ESPN men’s flyweight rankings manel capeShould Royval win, it could lead to a rematch for the title, as he lost a decision to the newly crowned champion, joshua van In the battle for the candidate of the year in June.
Here are five other potential rematches to keep an eye on in 2026.
1. Tom Aspinall versus Cyril Ganeheavy loads
This might be the most anticipated rematch of them all. These two met in the main event of UFC 321 in October and this was the result a destructive non-competeAspinall was unable to continue after being hit in the eye.
The rematch will be even more heated than the first meeting, as Aspinall has made it clear that he does not believe the eye poke was necessarily “accidental”, as was the rule. The 32-year-old champion is still suffering from blurry and double vision in his right eye and has not been cleared to resume training even after seven weeks. There is no set recovery time for this type of injury, but the UFC has stated that it intends to rebook this matchup as soon as Aspinall is fit enough to accept.
Of course, every UFC title fight is important, and a heavyweight fight always comes with an added spotlight. However, due to the circumstances, if it does happen it would be one of the most important title fights of the entire year.
2. petr yan versus sean o’malleymen’s bantamweight
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O’Malley defeats Yan via split decision after incredible third round
Sean O’Malley defeated Petr Yan via split decision after an explosive third round.
The mere mention of this matchup is enough to alienate some MMA fans, who believe O’Malley is a frequent recipient of “Dana White privilege.” In other words, getting an opportunity he hasn’t earned because he’s a big name.
O’Malley is set to face song yadong in what appears to be an explosive fight on paper at UFC 324 in Las Vegas on Jan. 24. If O’Malley looks good, fans may start to embrace the idea of bringing him back to a title fight opportunity. He and Yan have a history. In fact, there is quite a history. O’Malley defeated Yan in a widely disputed split decision in 2022. Yan believes he won that fight and has stated that he does not think O’Malley is worthy of facing him. He actually laughed at the idea this month.
But still, UFC is a business. O’Malley is a name and there will be a story behind this incident. Dvalishvili is likely to get a trio against Yan as well, meaning Yan is next many There may be a rematch of the matches.
3. Jiri Prochazka versus Khalil Rountree Jr.light heavyweight
This won’t happen until the second half of the year, but there is a very viable scenario in which it could be pushed forward. Prochazka defeated Rountree via TKO in October in one of the best fights of the year. Rountree was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the loss in the third round. There could be a possibility of a rematch if something else happens – something that is not under the control of Prochazka or Rountree.
Light Heavyweight Champion, alex pereraVery eager to move up to heavyweight. The UFC isn’t in love with that idea – CEO Dana White has said so publicly – but there’s a great fight between Pereira and john jonesThe way the heavyweight title fight between Aspinall and Gane ended has increased the possibility of Pereira vs, Jones, White has said he doesn’t trust Jones to make headlines white house card in juneBut that stance may very well be about to melt away. Jones wants the White House and he wants Pereira.
If that fight happens, the light heavyweight division will likely consider a fight for the vacant title or interim title. It won’t be Prochazka vs. Rountree right away carlos ulberg Is in the mix. But if things go the right way, we could definitely look at this rematch later in the year.
4. Valentina Shevchenko versus Amanda Nuneswomen’s bantamweight
This will be a trilogy fight, not just a rematch. These two have fought twice – in 2016 and 2017. Nunes won both times, but the second was by a tight split decision, with the judges agreeing on only one of the five rounds.
Shevchenko has not competed at 135 pounds since those fights, and Nunes has been retired for two and a half years. But the former two-division champion is returning to challenge the reigning women’s bantamweight champion next month kayla harrisonIf Nunes reclaims the throne, this fight will happen Immediately Get up front and center. Nunes is not returning to resume regular title defense against the next woman. She will be looking for a fight for the inheritance.
Meanwhile, Shevchenko has options at flyweight – but how important are they? Is it important enough to delay the move up to bantamweight to challenge Nunes once more? Shevchenko believes she should have won her second fight. Bottom line, if Nunes wins in January, there will be a huge appetite for a rerun of this matchup.
5. Ilya Topuria versus max hollowayLight
Initially, it may not increase your heartbeat very much. Topuria had defeated Holloway only last year. And there are plenty of options for Topuria, who is in a new weight class and has fought only once in the last 14 months.
But close your eyes and fast forward to a year from now. Holloway’s defeat Charles Oliveira To retain the BMF title in March. He accepts fight against No. 1 contender for White House Arman TsarukyanTsarukyan has said he wants such a fight, and who would argue with adding a BMF fight to the White House lineup? Holloway wins and sits cageside that night for Topuria’s lightweight unification bout against the winner of the following month’s interim title fight, Justin Gaethje And paddy pimblett,
That scenario wasn’t too hard to imagine, was it? Topuria wants Islam MakhachevBut this is not happening in the near future. Makhachev looks right at home at welterweight; He’s not going back to lightweight. Both have a lot of work to do in their respective divisions. I’m somewhat of the opinion that we never see Makhachev vs. Topuria. And because of the scenario I created, a Topuria vs. Holloway rematch could happen around this time next year.
