The Biggest UFC Fights Fans Want to See in Late 2026

As of July 16, late 2026 has three UFC dates already shaping the matchmaking board: UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15, UFC Shanghai on August 29, and UFC Paris at Accor Arena on September 5. UFC 329 also changed the available names when Max Holloway stopped Conor McGregor by injury TKO at 1:09 of Round 1, and Paddy Pimblett submitted Benoît Saint Denis in 52 seconds. None of the six fights below has been officially booked. The demand comes from rankings, unfinished results, recovery windows, and matchups that still make competitive sense after the summer cards.

Heavyweight Still Has an Unfinished Round

Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane shared only 4 minutes, 35 seconds at UFC 321 before an accidental eye poke produced a no-contest. Gane then stopped Alex Pereira with strikes at 1:27 of Round 2 at UFC Freedom 250, taking the interim heavyweight title while the division kept the same unresolved argument. They need to fight again. It’s not about hype or nostalgia; we still haven’t seen how Aspinall’s speed, power, and clinch work hold up over time against Gane’s movement, kicks to the body, and ability to stay just out of range.

Gaethje Has Earned the Wrestling Problem

Justin Gaethje became the undisputed lightweight champion at UFC Freedom 250 when Ilia Topuria’s corner stopped the fight after Round 4. One of the clearest title threats is Arman Tsarukyan, 23-3, who submitted Dan Hooker with an arm-triangle choke at 3:34 of Round 2. He can turn long stretches into control time without chasing a finish, while Gaethje's right hand can flip a round instantly. In science, this is called a bifurcation point. Fans tracking sports betting (French: paris sportif) know this for sure. They get used to keeping an eye on Gaethje’s damage on level changes, Tsarukyan’s fence work, and takedown props.

Strickland-Imavov Needs the Real Middleweight Version

Sean Strickland got the middleweight belt back at UFC 328, edging Khamzat Chimaev in a split decision that could’ve gone either way on the night. Nassourdine Imavov, now 17-4 with one no contest, has quietly put together five straight wins since early 2024 and looks like a different fighter than he did a couple of years ago. Their first fight, in January 2023, happened on short notice at light heavyweight, where Strickland won a five-round decision. A rematch at 185 pounds would be a cleaner test of Imavov’s improved clinch entries against Strickland’s jab, shoulder roll, and suffocating forward pace.

Yan Gets a Contender Only If Shanghai Cooperates

Petr Yan took back the bantamweight title with a decision win over Merab Dvalishvili (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025. Umar Nurmagomedov has business to handle first against No. 5 Song Yadong at UFC Shanghai on August 29, and that result will decide a lot. If Umar gets through it, the matchup with Yan almost sells itself. Yan’s pressure, body shots, and ability to read opponents late would meet Umar’s calm pace, chain wrestling, and knack for taking the back.

Philadelphia Decides the Welterweight Queue

Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend the welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 inside Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on August 15. Carlos Prates, listed by UFC as a ranked welterweight contender, brings the fresher follow-up if Makhachev keeps the belt, especially after his rise through a division that has moved quickly since 2025. Book it after Philadelphia. A Makhachev-Prates fight would pit layered takedown pressure and top control against southpaw power, while a Garry win would redirect the division toward rematches, reach management, and five-round kickboxing problems.

Holloway-Pimblett Sells, but the Scale Comes First

Holloway came in at 170 pounds for McGregor at UFC 329, while Pimblett was 156 for Saint Denis on that same card. That’s not a small difference, and it matters if the UFC wants this to be more than just a spectacle. At lightweight, Holloway’s pace, body shots, and takedown defense would make Pimblett work hard just to get inside. At welterweight, Pimblett would be giving up a lot of the size advantage that makes the matchup appealing in the first place. The fight has a market, but the contract weight should be the first serious detail before either man starts camp.