Top 10 UFC Rising Fighters to Watch in 2026

The UFC competition keeps evolving because new fighters will enter the sport in 2026. The established stars who dominate main events will face challenges from upcoming UFC fighters who achieve victory through their performance improvements and skill development and confidence growth. The process of predicting which prospects will reach their ultimate breakthrough success proves difficult because development for most people moves through unpredictable paths which rely on various circumstances, including their chances, available opportunities, and the strength of their opponents.

This list identifies fighters who lack widespread recognition yet possess skills which will make them dangerous competitors next year. The UFC rising fighters who hardcore fans should monitor in 2026 show their strengths through their current results and fighting styles and opportunities within their weight class.

1. Quillan Salkilld (Lightweight)

The UFC established Perth-based Quillan Salkilld as its best first-time fighter for 2023 because he finished fights quickly while demonstrating exceptional fight intelligence. He achieved a 19-second knockout victory against Anshul Jubli which surprised the UFC, and he won through decision against Yanal Ashmouz, and his first-round head-kick knockout victory over Nasrat Haqparast earned him two Performance of the Night awards. Salkilld uses his precise striking abilities and knockout strength to establish himself as one of the UFC upcoming fighters who will become prominent in 2026.

2. Mansur Abdul-Malik (Lightweight)

Mansur Abdul-Malik demonstrates his status as a highly skilled UFC lightweight fighter through his impressive technical abilities which he showcases during his four Octagon matches. The 28-year-old fighter has achieved an undefeated record of 3-0-1 in the UFC while maintaining a 9-0-1 record across his entire career, and he finished 2025 by submitting Antonio Trocoli to demonstrate his improved skills. Abdul-Malik learns from top coaches at Xtreme Couture since he combines his grappling expertise with developing striking abilities and his dedication to training. Mansur will become one of the top UFC lightweights because his skills continue to improve through each fight.

3. Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

Kevin Vallejos from Argentina has become known as a quiet knockout specialist who delivers powerful knockouts to his opponents. A Dana White Contender Series graduate, he impressed with victories over SeungWoo Choi and Danny Silva, before delivering a stunning spinning backfist KO against veteran Giga Chikadze. Vallejos finished 2025 with three victories which enabled him to enter the featherweight rankings, and his journey from talented newcomer to serious contender status established him as one of the UFC emerging fighters who fans should monitor in 2026.

4. Lerone Murphy (Featherweight)

The featherweight division of the UFC features Lerone Murphy who under 30 years old continues to improve his skills while advancing through the rankings. The fighter has maintained an unbroken winning streak since his UFC debut because he uses accurate striking together with his correct timing and defensive skills. Murphy maintains his training with SBG Ireland to develop both his fighting techniques and combat intelligence through the development of tactical improvements which he implements during his fights. Murphy needs just one more exceptional victory to reach his milestone which will establish him as a leading fighter in his division according to his performance during 2026.

5. Ateba Gautier (Middleweight)

Ateba Gautier from Cameroon has established himself as a dangerous knockout opponent who competes in the UFC middleweight division. The 23-year-old fighter achieved his UFC victories in 2025 by finishing all three matches during the first round which brought his record to 9-1 after achieving eight consecutive victory through stoppage. The fighter develops his skills at Manchester Top Team because he possesses both explosive athletic ability and exact striking capabilities. Gautier currently shows promise as an upcoming fighter who will bring excitement to all his fights. He begins his second professional season at UFC 324, which will establish him as one of the UFC’s most thrilling emerging talents for 2026.

6. Islam Dulatov (Welterweight)

The UFC fighter Islam Dulatov has established himself as one of the most self-assured finishers who competes in the welterweight division. Dulatov has achieved twelve consecutive victories since his first professional defeat which marks the beginning of his career. Dulatov displays both wrestling skills and finishing abilities which enable him to succeed in combat through his self-assured attitude. Dulatov won his last match against Adam Fugitt after finishing him during the first round. Dulatov will achieve his significant career advancement during the upcoming year of 2026.

7. Elijah Smith (Bantamweight)

Elijah “Swift” Smith is quickly establishing himself as one of the best bantamweight fighters in the UFC.  The 23-year-old son of UFC veteran Gilbert Smith impressed with a hard-fought win on Dana White’s Contender Series. He followed it with a strong UFC debut against Vince Morales. In August 2025 he delivered one of the year’s most emphatic finishes knocking out Toshiomi Kazama with a show-stopping powerbomb. Smith possesses athletic abilities while demonstrating complete fighting skills and ongoing development which enables him to compete throughout the 135-pound weight class. He stands out as a rising UFC prospect to watch in 2026.

8. Lone’er Kavanagh (Flyweight)

Lone’er Kavanagh has become a UFC flyweight contender because he maintains an undefeated record and possesses exceptional striking skills which give him an advantage against his opponents. The 26-year-old impressed in 2025 by outmaneuvering seasoned opponents through his combination of elite kickboxing abilities and precise timing skills and intelligent fighting strategies.His Octagon performances throughout this year indicate that he will become a significant threat during the 2026 competition.

9. Jacqueline Cavalcanti (Bantamweight)

The UFC bantamweight division has one fighter under 30 who develops his talents through consistent performance, but no one knows about Jacqueline “Bam” Cavalcanti. The 28-year-old has continued to climb the 135-pound division by stacking disciplined high-level performances and proving she belongs among the elite. Cavalcanti uses her training space at Syndicate MMA which is located in Las Vegas to develop her fundamental skills while she competes in the Octagon. The year 2026 will become her most productive period because she will establish herself as a top contender who deserves recognition among upcoming UFC stars.

10. Azamat Murzakanov (Light Heavyweight)

The 2025 light heavyweight division saw Azamat Murzakanov make the most impressive statement of all his competitors. He achieved his undefeated record in the UFC through a calculated combination of three fighting skills which he displayed inside the Octagon. The 30-year-old fighter establishes his first round wrestling advantage through his compact body structure and his ability to deliver powerful strikes. Most power punchers fail to match his disciplined fighting style which he uses to compete against opponents. The ongoing development of his cardiovascular endurance combined with his fight skills will enable Murzakanov to achieve his first major career breakthrough. The present situation suggests that 2026 will become the year when he transforms into a major threat within the light heavyweight division.

Final Thoughts

The UFC rising fighters from lightweights to light heavyweights have demonstrated their ability to succeed in 2026 because of their exceptional skills and determination and current competitive momentum. The Octagon will showcase new battles together with upcoming fighters who will establish themselves as main UFC stars during the upcoming matches. The future stars of the UFC will emerge through these competitions according to fans who watch the Octagon.

Photo by Haribhagirath, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)