"During this break in events, we look at what are the biggest MMA fights that can be made in the year 2026. During one of the longest MMA breaks we've had in several years, it feels only right to look ahead and discuss the fights we are most looking forward to this year. Last year, we received three of the fights on my annual list. Of the two that did not materialize, one was the talk of the year...until it wasn't."
"This year, the allure of getting on the much anticipated White House card has drawn competitors past and present to throw their hats in the cage. It wouldn't be unfair to say that for some fighters, being on the White House card is the only thing making a return worth it. But while that remains the most coveted date in 2026, there are a number of high profile match-ups that would be must see television this year."
A prolonged hiatus in MMA set the stage for anticipating the biggest fights of 2026. Several previously teased matchups occurred last year, while two failed to materialize, with one generating significant attention before fading. The White House card emerged as a highly coveted event drawing both former and current competitors, with some fighters motivated solely by that appearance. The UFC's new CBS/Paramount+ distribution and the end of the pay-per-view era may influence matchmaking decisions and encourage blockbuster fights to bolster the partnership. Multiple high-profile matchups remain possible and would attract broad viewership in 2026.
Read at Cageside Press
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