Who will be UFC Welterweight champion at the end of 2026?
Open19as of
Market pricing makes Islam Makhachev the favorite at 87% across 19 tracked outcomes, as of .
What are the odds right now?
Each outcome shows its current market price — the market-implied probability it happens. Click an outcome for its full market page.
What moved the odds?
2 AI-matched news signals available across this event, newest first. Entry price is the called side when the news hit; the signed return marks it against the outcome’s latest price as of .
Islam Makhachev No Chance I'm Retiring After 330 ... I Love Life As UFC Champ!
Kazakh fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov will not be able to return to the UFC in 2026 Kazakh MMA fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov will not be able to return to the UFC in 2026. This was announced by his coach Eduard Bazrov. The athlete is currently rehabilitating his injured leg. A full training camp is not yet possible, so Rakhmonov is training once a day, limiting himself to physical training and boxing. – We cannot yet give an exact date for Shavkat’s return. Because everyone recovers from injury differently. I think next year... (he will be able to return - Author's note) In my opinion, in February 2027 he may be fully ready for the fight, but it is still impossible to name the exact time frame when Shavkat Rakhmonov will recover, - says Eduard Bazrov. The coach hopes that after his return the team is expecting a fight with a strong opponent. [in reply to: Shavkat Rakhmonov announced a new operation and postponed his return to the UFC A fighter's path is never easy. Life does not give us trials that we cannot overcome. Every dream has its price, and sometimes this price is health. Today I must be honest: due to ongoing injuries, I had to undergo another surgery, and it will take me time to fully recover. In connection with this, my return to the octagon is postponed,” wrote Shavkat Rakhmonov.
What is this event about?
This market will resolve according to the official UFC Welterweight division champion on December 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
Only official UFC division champions will count. Interim champions will not count.
If the relevant belt is vacant at this market’s check time, or there is otherwise no champion in the specified division, this market will resolve to “Other”.
The primary resolution source for this market will be official information from the UFC (https://www.ufc.com/athletes).