As we kick off 2026, combat sports fans are already buzzing about the potential matchups that could define the year. From blockbuster superfights in the UFC to long-awaited unifications and trilogies in boxing, the coming months promise high-stakes drama, legacy-defining battles, and possible all-time classics. Here are the fights that the community is desperate to see booked and delivered.
MMA: UFC Dream Matchups for 2026
- Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria (Welterweight or Catchweight Superfight)
A clash between two pound-for-pound elites. Makhachev, the longtime lightweight king with suffocating grappling and an unbreakable win streak, against Topuria, the featherweight destroyer who has finished every opponent in his UFC run with explosive striking and confidence to spare. Both fighters have conquered two divisions, and a showdown here—potentially at 170 pounds or a catchweight—would crown the true top dog in the sport today. - Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira (Heavyweight Title)
If Jon Jones decides to return to the cage, few matchups carry more intrigue than this one. Pereira, fresh off dominating the light heavyweight division with his devastating kickboxing pedigree, has openly eyed a move to heavyweight. Facing the consensus greatest of all time in Jones—who blends elite wrestling, unorthodox striking, and unmatched fight IQ—would give Pereira the chance to become a three-division champion and cement Jones’ legacy even further. - Amanda Nunes vs. Kayla Harrison (Women’s Bantamweight Title)
The greatest women’s fighter ever making a comeback? Sign us up. Nunes, who retired as a simultaneous two-division champion, against Harrison, the Olympic judoka turned PFL standout who has stormed into the UFC bantamweight picture. This potential title fight feels like a true passing of the torch, pitting the most accomplished resume in WMMA history against the division’s most dangerous new force.
Boxing: The Biggest Fights on the Horizon
- Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson (Junior Welterweight Unification)
Two of America’s brightest young stars finally sharing the ring. Lopez brings explosive power and flair, while Stevenson counters with elite defensive skills, speed, and ring generalship. With unification implications at 140 pounds and plenty of pre-fight tension already brewing, this has all the makings of a modern classic and could headline a massive card early in the year. - Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani (Super Bantamweight Superfight)
Japan’s two premier pound-for-pound talents colliding would be a national event. Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight king and one of the most complete boxers on the planet, against the tall, skilled Nakatani, who has been mowing through opposition in spectacular fashion. Recent performances have set the stage perfectly, and whispers of a Tokyo Dome showdown make this one of the most exciting possibilities worldwide. - Oleksandr Usyk vs. Deontay Wilder (Heavyweight)
Technical brilliance meets nuclear knockout power. After completing his undisputed run and rematch series with Tyson Fury, Usyk has expressed interest in facing Wilder next. The Ukrainian master boxer against the Bronze Bomber’s historic right hand would provide a fascinating style clash and keep the heavyweight division unpredictable. - Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol III (Light Heavyweight Undisputed Trilogy)
After two epic encounters that split 1-1, boxing fans deserve a decisive third chapter. Beterbiev’s relentless pressure and knockout power against Bivol’s sublime boxing technique has already produced back-to-back Fight of the Year contenders. A trilogy fight for full undisputed status at 175 pounds would be the perfect way to settle one of the best rivalries in the sport today.
These matchups represent the pinnacle of what combat sports can offer in 2026: massive stakes, contrasting styles, and the potential for historic moments. Whether they all get made remains to be seen, but if even a handful come to fruition, this could go down as one of the greatest years in recent memory for both MMA and boxing fans.
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