Flyweight - Alexandre Pantoja I see him submitting KKF, submitting either Royval/Kape (depending on who wins at 317), and beating Moreno either by decision or submission. He’s just too good for the division, maybe his only challenges being Taira or Mokaev if he comes back, but by the time any of them fight for the title Pantoja will be near the end of his career. Bantamweight - Merab Dvalishvili Despite Merab getting older, I see him dominating the division as well. If he beats O’Malley and possibly defends one more time this year (either v Sandhagen, Yan or Umar) then I would say he could definitely be up for fighter of the year. I think Umar or O’Malley will be the next champ, but the only way they do is when Merab retires/moves up, which might be in 2027/2028. Featherweight - Movsar Evloev The fact that he hasn’t been given the title shot is already a disgrace, but I think it is only a matter of time before he gets the shot and wins. I think Volk would be a great challenge for Movsar’s undefeated record, but I think either Movsar beats Volk or Volk eventually retires, with Movsar winning the title against someone else. Lightweight - Ilia Topuria He chins Oliveira at 317, maybe defending one more time this year against Arman/Gaethje/Paddy. He would probably face another one of those three in 2026, along with another defence against someone else, and regardless of who it is I think Ilia wins. Those three I mentioned above would be his biggest challenges, and since I don’t think Islam is gonna come back down, I think Ilia keeps the belt for a while. Welterweight - Ian Machado Garry This one is more debatable, but I think Islam won’t beat JDM and will instead become one of the top contenders. I think Garry beats Brady, becoming the no 1 contender, and while Belal v Shavkat keeps getting re booked Garry will beat JDM to win the belt. I think he defends against Buckley and beats him as well, with Shavkat maybe being his biggest challenge, as Islam would be 5 inches shorter than Garry and would be outmuscled. Middleweight - Reinier De Ridder Another weird one, I think Khamzat beats DDP but then gets pushed by the UFC to actually defend every 6 months or so, losing his first title defence to Imavov/Borralho. With RDR beating Whittaker, then maybe beating Strickland, he gets the next title shot and wins the belt. Khamzat v RDR would be interesting, and that one could go either way tbh. Light Heavyweight - Magomed Ankalaev Ngl, I don’t see him losing the belt. I think he outclasses Pereira in the rematch (like the DDP v Strickland rematch), and I don’t think Jiri will be able to recreate his performance against Jamahal Hill, so he won’t beat Ank as well. Ulberg is a new challenge but I think Ank’s experience holds off on him, and he would be too fast for Reyes. Heavyweight - Tom Aspinall I think he fights Gane at UFC 323 at MSG in November, maybe not finishing him in the first round but still easily beating him. From here Almeida provides the biggest challenge for him, but Aspinall still walks through him. Unless an amazing new heavyweight emerges in the next couple of years, I can see Aspinall holding the belt for many years, and he will become the HW GOAT in 2026.