If you’re staring at your screen wondering who is winning ufc fight matchups lately, you aren't alone. The landscape of the Octagon has shifted so fast in the first two weeks of 2026 that it feels like the rankings were written in disappearing ink. We are currently sitting in that weird, electric pocket of time between major events.
The last time the cage door locked was back in mid-December, and honestly, the fallout from those fights is still dictating who holds the real power right now. If we're talking about pure results, the biggest name currently sitting on a massive "win" is Petr Yan.
The Bantamweight Chaos and Petr Yan’s Revenge
Let's look at the facts. At UFC 323, which went down just a few weeks ago on December 6, 2025, Petr Yan didn't just win; he reclaimed his world. He faced Merab Dvalishvili in a high-stakes rematch and managed to walk away with a unanimous decision victory. This wasn't just another notch on the belt. It was a statement.
Merab had been on a tear, but Yan’s ability to stuff the takedowns and land the more significant, damaging strikes showed that the "No Mercy" era is far from over. If you're betting on momentum, Yan is the guy. He’s the champion again. He basically reset the entire 135-pound division.
But wait.
The bantamweight shark tank is already swirling. Sean O’Malley, despite some recent setbacks, is scheduled to face Song Yadong on January 24 at UFC 324. O'Malley needs this win. He's coming off two straight losses to Merab, so the pressure in that Vegas locker room is going to be suffocating. If you want to know who is winning ufc fight nights in the coming weeks, keep your eyes on the O'Malley vs. Song matchup. It’s the ultimate "prove it" moment.
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The New Era of the Flyweights
While the big names usually get the headlines, the 125-pounders are actually the ones winning the "hype" war lately. Joshua Van is the name you need to know. He recently pulled off a massive upset against Alexandre Pantoja, finishing him in the first round.
A 26-second knockout?
Yeah. That happened.
Van is now the king of the flyweights, and it’s one of those stories that makes MMA so unpredictable. He’s 16-2 now and looks like he could hold that belt for a long time. On the flip side, we have Tatsuro Taira. He just beat Brandon Moreno—a former champ and a legend—via a second-round TKO. Taira is 24-0. Think about that. In a sport where everyone eventually loses, this kid is still untouchable.
UFC 324: The Gaethje vs. Pimblett Collision
Looking forward to the next few days, the conversation is dominated by one name: Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. He is set to fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title on January 24.
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This fight is polarizing.
Half the fans think Gaethje is going to take Paddy’s head off with one of those trademark leg kicks or a crushing left hook. The other half thinks Paddy’s grappling and weirdly effective striking will find a way to win. Honestly, Gaethje is the veteran litmus test. He’s the BMF. If Paddy wins this, he’s no longer just a "personality." He’s a legitimate world-class threat.
The stakes are higher because Ilia Topuria, the undisputed lightweight champ, is sitting out the first quarter of the year. That means the winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett is essentially the face of the division until Topuria decides to come back.
Why the Women's Divisions are Seeing a Renaissance
We can’t talk about who is winning ufc fight storylines without mentioning Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. This is the stuff of movies. Nunes retired in 2023, but she’s coming back at UFC 324 to challenge Harrison for the bantamweight strap.
Harrison has been destroying everyone in her path. She’s 19-1 and possesses a level of physical dominance we haven't seen since prime Ronda Rousey. But Nunes is the GOAT. She has those "touch of death" hands. If Nunes wins, it’s the greatest comeback in sports history. If Harrison wins, she officially ends the era of the old guard.
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Then there’s Valentina Shevchenko. She just dismantled Zhang Weili at UFC 322. At 37 years old, "The Bullet" is still fighting like she's 25. She’s the pound-for-pound queen right now, no questions asked.
The Heavyweight Stalemate
Heavyweight is... complicated. Tom Aspinall is technically the guy winning the division. He beat Ciryl Gane and holds the belt. He’s 15-3 and finishes everyone.
However, the shadow of Jon Jones still lingers, even if he hasn't fought in what feels like an eternity. But in terms of active competition, Aspinall is the gold standard. He’s fast, he’s got hands like a middleweight, and his ground game is elite. If you’re looking for a safe bet on who stays a champion through 2026, it’s probably Tom.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the sport right now, here’s how to actually track who's winning:
- Watch the finish rates. Fighters like Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira are winning because they aren't leaving it to the judges. In 2026, the UFC is rewarding aggressive finishers more than ever.
- Track the "Paddy Factor." Love him or hate him, Paddy Pimblett is winning the business side of the UFC. If he beats Gaethje, his stock will go higher than O'Malley's ever did.
- Respect the veterans. Don't count out guys like Petr Yan or Max Holloway. Holloway is scheduled for a rematch with Charles Oliveira in March. These guys are the "gatekeepers" who keep taking the keys back.
The next few months are going to be a bloodbath. Between the return of Nunes and the rise of the Russian grappling machines like Umar Nurmagomedov, the "winner" of the UFC isn't just one person—it’s the fans who are getting these dream matchups.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep a close eye on the UFC 324 weigh-ins on January 23. Seeing how Gaethje and Pimblett look on the scale will tell you everything you need to know about their conditioning for a five-round interim title war. Also, check the official UFC rankings update on Tuesday; Petr Yan's recent jump in the P4P list is a major indicator of how the promotion plans to market him for the rest of the year.