
The UFC schedule for 2026 is filled with potential blockbuster fights, but a handful of matchups stand out as the ones that truly need to happen.
Whether driven by unfinished business, divisional stakes, personal rivalries, or championship implications, these bouts have become impossible for MMA fans to ignore. Across multiple weight classes, the demand for these contests continues to grow as fighters position themselves for title opportunities and career-defining moments.
From Sean Strickland’s potential middleweight rematch with Nassourdine Imavov to Joshua Van settling lingering questions against Alexandre Pantoja, these are the fights capable of shaping the UFC’s competitive landscape for the remainder of the year.
1. Strickland vs. Imavov II Carries Massive Divisional Stakes
Sean Strickland’s shocking middleweight title victory over Khamzat Chimaev immediately reshaped the division and elevated demand for another fight against