The UFC enters 2026 with a transparent message: leisure issues. Broadcaster and analyst Laura Sanko mentioned the pattern of chopping fighters who do not ship action-packed performances will proceed this 12 months, with promotions specializing in ending and aggressive combating types.
UFC is completed with boring fights: Laura Sanko says what is going on to occur in 2026
“I believe the pattern towards assist for violence will proceed,” Sanko mentioned. “There’s a number of dialogue proper now about rewarding fighters for being aggressive, celebrating finishes, and fighters aiming for decisive outcomes. With this new broadcast partnership, there is a clear sense that we have to present our viewers what actual fight is like.”
Timing is necessary. The UFC will debut on Paramount+ on January 24, 2026 at UFC 324 at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas, that includes an interim light-weight title combat between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal eliminates the pay-per-view mannequin and permits Paramount+ subscribers to look at all 13 numbered occasions and 30 combat nights at no extra value.
UFC to chop again on fighters who will not be capable of carry out in 2026
Latest roster selections replicate this philosophy. In December 2025, the UFC parted methods with welterweight Rinat Fakhreddinov regardless of an undefeated document of 6-0-1. Fakhredinov had simply scored a 54-second knockout win over Andreas Gustafsson, however the promotion selected to not re-sign him after his contract expired.
Heavyweight Martin Boday skilled an identical destiny. Regardless of having a 7-1 UFC document and a No. 12 rating, Budei was launched in July 2025 after a unanimous choice victory over Marcus Buchecha. Boudey admitted that his combat lacked the end the UFC wished. “My matches is probably not visually interesting to followers,” he admitted. “However I’ll do no matter it takes to make sure victory.”
The UFC additionally fired top-ranked heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstryk after a lackluster choice loss to Sergei Pavlovic in February 2025, with UFC president Dana White calling the combat “horrible.” These strikes show a willingness on the a part of the promotion to launch even ranked fighters which have did not carry pleasure.
UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev publicly echoes this sentiment, providing recommendation to fighters from Russia and different non-English talking nations. “Rinat is a proficient fighter with nice abilities,” Makhachev mentioned. “However the UFC wants athletes to generate income, and Rinat tends to be targeted on successful.”
“I counsel my guys within the fitness center that the UFC would not want fighters who simply win and shut up,” Makhachev defined. “It is necessary to be taught English, perceive how one can market your self, and captivate your viewers. The American public is keen about wrestling and WWE.”
This strategy isn’t new to the UFC. In 2013, former fighter Kenny Florian revealed that the promotion supposed to maneuver away from fighters identified for unexciting matches. Jon Fitch was notable for being let go that 12 months regardless of having a 14-3-1 document within the group. On the time, White defined that Fitch’s model and wage now not match with the course of the UFC, sending a message that successful is not sufficient if the fights aren’t enjoyable.
Thanko believes the take care of Paramount will additional strengthen this effort. “We’ll appeal to new audiences,” she mentioned. “What first captivated followers was the mix of the storyline and the fighters’ precise efficiency. The athletes who rise to stardom are those who obtain such spectacular finishes.”
With UFC 324 kicking off the Paramount period in only a few days, the promotion faces strain to ship the type of motion that converts new recruits into longtime followers. In the primary occasion, Gaethje, identified for his aggressive model and combating spirit, will face Pimblett, a charismatic fighter on a seven-fight successful streak. Within the co-main occasion, bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison will defend her title towards the returning legend Amanda Nunes.
