Man, what a year for the UFC. The final quarter of 2026 is rolling, and while it has already been an absolute banger, there’s still so much up in the air as we gear up for 2027.
The Game-Changing Shifts and Unfathomable Moments
This year will forever be etched in history, right? The massive move from ESPN over to Paramount? That completely blew up the traditional pay-per-view model and changed everything about how we watch the fights, both in the cage and behind the scenes. And inside the octagon? Forget about it. We’ve seen an unfathomable event on the White House South Lawn, title fights with massive upsets, and wild shifts in finishing rates. The product is booming, no doubt about it. It feels like every time you turn around, something jaw-dropping just happened.
The Fighters on the Spot: Who’s Next and What’s at Stake?
But even with all that craziness, we’ve got some serious lingering questions that need answers before January 1st hits. MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn and UFC reporter McKenzie Pavacich hit it on “The Bohnfire” podcast, and they aren’t pulling any punches. We’re talking Alex Pereira’s massive UFC 335 fight against Sergei Pavlovich. That’s a huge one, right? Then there’s Ciryl Gane battling Josh Hokit for the heavyweight title at UFC 334. And the big one, the one everyone’s whispering about: what’s next for lightweight champion Justin Gaethje? These aren’t small questions, folks. These are the kinds of storylines that define careers and shape entire divisions.
It’s the final stretch of 2026, and these storylines are gonna define how this “historic year” truly ends. We’re pushing for a new year, but not before these massive questions get some kind of resolution. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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