The UFC wrapped up its 2025 pay-per-view schedule over the weekend with a high-profile rematch between Merab Dvalishvili And Petr Yan for the men's bantamweight title, and there will be more rematches to come.
Two of the first three numbered tournaments in 2026 will feature rematches as part of the main event. Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovsky will try to defend his title against Diego Lopez at UFC 325 on January 31 in Sydney. Five weeks later, the BMF champion Max Holloway will collide Charles Oliveira in the fan-favorite headliner of UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.
Even this weekend's UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas, while not a rematch, could set it for 2026. Brandon RoyvalNo. 3 ranked ESPN men's flyweight, will face Manel Cape. If Royval wins, it could very well lead to a rematch for the title, as he lost a decision to the newly crowned champion. Joshua Wang in June in the fight of the candidate of the year.
Here are five other potential rematches to watch in 2026.
1. Tom Aspinall against. Cyril Ganeheavyweight
This might be the most anticipated rematch of them all. The two met in the main event of UFC 321 in October, and the result was catastrophic lack of competitionafter Aspinall was unable to continue due to an eye poke.
The rematch would be much more contentious than the first meeting, as Aspinall made it clear that he did not believe the eye poke was necessarily “accidental” as was commonly believed. The 32-year-old champion still suffers from blurriness and double vision in his right eye and has not been allowed to resume training seven weeks later. This type of injury does not require a long recovery period, but the UFC has said it wants to reschedule the fight as soon as Aspinall is ready to compete.
Every UFC title fight is important, of course, and heavyweight fights always attract extra attention. However, given the circumstances, this will be one of the most important title fights all year if and when it happens.
2. Petr Yan against. Sean O'Malleymen's bantamweight
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O'Malley defeats Yan via split decision after incredible third round
Sean O'Malley defeats Petr Yan by split decision after an explosive third round.
The mere mention of this fight is enough to turn off some MMA fans who feel that O'Malley often gets the “Dana White privilege.” In other words, he got an opportunity he didn't deserve because he has a big name.
O'Malley will meet with Song Yadong in what looks to be an explosive bout on paper at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. If O'Malley looks good, fans might be willing to start warming up to the idea of ​​him returning for a title shot. He and Ian have a history. Quite a story, actually. O'Malley defeated Yan in 2022 in a widely controversial split decision. Yang believes he won the fight and said he doesn't think O'Malley deserves to face him. He even laughed at the idea this month.
But again, the UFC is a business. O'Malley is a name and there is a story behind this event. Dvalishvili will most likely get a trilogy against Yan, that is, Yan's next match. some Fights can be rematches.
3. Jiri Prochazek against. Khalil Rountree Jr.light heavyweight
This will not happen until the second half of the year, but there is a very realistic scenario in which this could be realized. Prochaska defeated Rountree by TKO in October in one of the best fights of the year. Rowntree was leading on all three judges' scores at the time of his third-round loss. A rematch could be possible if something else happens – something that is not under the control of either Prochazka or Rountree.
Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereirareally wants to move up to heavyweight. The UFC isn't thrilled with the idea—CEO Dana White has said so publicly—but between Pereira and John Jones. A heavyweight title fight between Aspinall and Gane ending this way would likely boost the chances of Pereira fighting Jones. White said he doesn't trust Jones to lead Map of the White House in Junebut this position may well warm up. Jones wants the White House and he wants Pereira.
If this fight happens, the light heavyweight division will likely consider a fight for either the vacant title or the interim title. It won't be Prochazka vs. Rowntree right away, because Carlos Ulberg is in the mix. But if everything worked out right, we could definitely consider this rematch later this year.
4. Valentina Shevchenko against. Amanda Nunezwomen's bantamweight
This will be a trilogy, not just a rematch. The two fought twice, in 2016 and 2017. Nunes won both times, but the second time was a split decision in which the judges only agreed on one of the five rounds.
Shevchenko hasn't competed at 135 since then, and Nunes has been retired for two and a half years. But the former two-division champion will return next month to challenge the reigning women's bantamweight champion. Kayla Harrison. If Nunes reclaims his throne, this match will be immediately rise to the front and center. Nunes will not return to resume regular title defenses against the next woman. She will look for old fights.
Meanwhile, Shevchenko has options at flyweight, but how important are they? Important enough to delay the move up to bantamweight to challenge Nunes again? Shevchenko believes she should have won their second fight. Bottom line, if Nunes wins in January, there will be a lot of appetite for this matchup again.
5. Ilya Topuria against. Max Hollowayeasy
This may not raise your heart rate much at first. Topuria knocked out Holloway just last year. And Topuria, who is in a new weight category and has fought only once over the past 14 months, has a lot of options.
But close your eyes and fast forward a year. Holloway wins Charles Oliveira in March to retain the BMF title. He agrees to fight No. 1 contender in the White House against Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan has stated that he wants this fight, and who would argue with adding a BMF fight to the White House list? Holloway wins and sits cageside later that evening for Topuria's lightweight unification bout against the winner of the following month's interim title bout between Justin slave And Paddy Pimblett.
It wasn't hard to imagine such a scenario, was it? Topuria wants Islam Makhachevbut this will not happen anytime soon. At welterweight, Makhachev looks right at home; he will not return to lightweight. Both have a lot of work to do in their respective departments. I am of the opinion that we will never see Makhachev against Topuria. And this scenario I laid out leading to a Topuria vs. Holloway rematch around this time next year may have legs.
