The Next Superfight the UFC Has to Make

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Is ESPN's Unanimous No. 1

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria at welterweight is ESPN's unanimous No. 1 most desired MMA fight of 2026 and the consensus answer to the question of which matchup would produce the most electrifying contest.

The narrative architecture is perfect: Topuria is MMA's most exciting young champion, an undefeated knockout artist who cleared the featherweight division faster than almost anyone in UFC history.

Makhachev is the sport's pound-for-pound No. 1, a grappling technician with elite wrestling and submission skills who has never been seriously challenged at lightweight.

Statistical comparison:

• Makhachev: 26-1 record, 88% takedown defense, 66% takedown accuracy
• Topuria: 16-0 record, 93% striking accuracy, 14 finishes
• Makhachev averages 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes
• Topuria knocked out Volkanovski and Holloway in consecutive title defenses

The stylistic conflict between Topuria's KO power and Makhachev's wrestling is the exact kind of chess match that produces three-round masterclasses or first-round explosions.

Before fight night, hit the Content Lab. Styles make fights. We break them down fast.

Weight Complication: Catchweight Likely at 160-165

The complication is weight. Both men operate in different weight classes (Topuria at featherweight 145 lbs, Makhachev at lightweight 155 lbs), and a superfight would require a negotiated catchweight or one champion moving up.

Topuria has expressed willingness to move up. Makhachev holds the leverage as the higher-ranked champion.

Precedent for catchweight superfights:

• McGregor vs. Diaz fought at 170 (welterweight)
• Silva vs. St-Pierre proposed at 178 (never happened)
• Cejudo won flyweight and bantamweight at actual weight classes
• UFC historically reluctant to book catchweight title fights

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Global Commercial Event: PPV Buys Could Exceed 2M

The UFC's interest in making this fight is reflected in how prominently it has been discussed in press conferences, and the financial case is overwhelming.

Topuria's star power in Europe, combined with Makhachev's Central Asian fan base, creates a global commercial event with limited competition in the PPV marketplace.

Revenue projections:

• Topuria draws 500K+ European PPV buys
• Makhachev brings 300K+ Middle East/Central Asia buys
• North American interest based on P4P rankings
• Total PPV could exceed 2M buys at $79.99 price point

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Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira Is Second Unmissable Superfight

Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira is the second unmissable superfight, the fantasy matchup that virtually every UFC athlete named when asked about their most anticipated fights of 2026.

Jones vs. Pereira is the all-time GOAT against the sport's most terrifying striker, a collision between the two most physically dominant light heavyweight and heavyweight forces in MMA history fighting at a weight where both are credible.

Makhachev himself named it as his most anticipated fight of 2026.

Why fighters want to see it:

• Jones never faced pure striker of Pereira's caliber
• Pereira never faced grappler of Jones' technical level
• Both have one-shot KO power at heavyweight
• Winner has legitimate claim to GOAT across weight classes

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The Problem Is Jones' Retirement Pattern

The problem is Jones, who retired in June 2025, reversed course within weeks, then hinted at a second retirement in February 2026, has become the sport's most unreliable scheduling partner.

If Jones actually fights in 2026, the Pereira superfight is the only match that justifies his return.

Jones career retirement history:

• First retirement: 2020 after Reyes fight (vacated LHW title)
• Returned 2023 to fight Gane for HW title
• Second retirement: June 2025 (lasted 3 weeks)
• Third retirement tease: February 2026

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Other Superfights: Aspinall, O'Malley, Garry

The fights that complete the superfight tier: Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones for the undisputed heavyweight championship, which has been building since Jones vacated/retired without defending against Aspinall.

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili 2 for the bantamweight title rematch with the full stakes of O'Malley's comeback season.

Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry at welterweight, the second most desired fight on ESPN's list.

Why these matter:

• Aspinall unified interim belt, deserves unification shot
• O'Malley-Dvalishvili 1 was controversial split decision
• Garry undefeated but hasn't fought top-5 opponent
• Each fight resolves legitimate title picture question

Before fight night, hit the Content Lab. Styles make fights. We break them down fast.

The Bottom Line on Next Superfight UFC Has to Make

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is ESPN's unanimous No. 1 (Makhachev 26-1 with 88% TD defense, Topuria 16-0 with 93% striking accuracy knocked out Volkanovski and Holloway consecutive title defenses, stylistic conflict KO power vs. wrestling). Weight complication requires catchweight likely 160-165 (McGregor vs. Diaz fought at 170 precedent, UFC historically reluctant to book catchweight title fights). Global commercial event: PPV could exceed 2M buys (Topuria draws 500K+ European, Makhachev 300K+ Middle East/Central Asia, $79.99 price point). Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira second unmissable (Jones never faced pure striker Pereira's caliber, both have one-shot KO power at heavyweight, winner has GOAT claim across weight classes). Problem is Jones' retirement pattern (first retirement 2020, returned 2023, second June 2025 lasted 3 weeks, third tease February 2026). Other superfights: Aspinall vs. Jones (unified interim belt deserves shot), O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili 2 (controversial split decision), Makhachev vs. Garry (Garry hasn't fought top-5).

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