UFC Rankings Report: January 5, 2026
Complete UFC rankings breakdown for January 2026, including all champions, contenders, and week-to-week movement across every division.
UFC
Articles by Mike Reichlin
Back to profileJanuary 2026 UFC Calendar: Everything You Need to Know Before UFC 324 & 325
January 2026 UFC schedule: UFC 324 Jan 24 and UFC 325 Jan 31. Complete preview of Paramount+ debut events, main fights, and what lies ahead this month.
UFC
UFC 324 Preview: Gaethje vs. Pimblett Marks Paramount's First Major Event
UFC 324 marks the first major event on Paramount+. Gaethje vs. Pimblett for interim lightweight title, Harrison vs. Nunes comeback fight, and a stacked main card headline the historic debut card.
UFC
The Paramount+ Era Begins: How UFC's Streaming Shift Changes Everything in 2026
The era of $79.99 pay-per-view has officially ended. On January 1, 2026, the UFC completed its historic transition to Paramount+, fundamentally reshaping how millions of fight fans will access the sport for the next seven years and beyond. The shift represents the most significant structural change to UFC distribution since the sport's mainstream explosion in […]
UFC
UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber: Preview, Fight Card, and How to Watch
UFC returns to the APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 31, for UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Barber, a pivotal event in the women's flyweight division. Headlined by a high-stakes bout between top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber, this card features a mix of rising prospects and established contenders across multiple weight classes. […]
UFC
Topuria Brothers Split from Longtime Coaches Jorge and Agustín Climent
Ilia and Aleksandre Topuria have officially ended their professional relationship with Jorge and Agustín Climent, marking the conclusion of a long-standing training partnership in MMA. As confirmed by MARCA, the decision comes as both parties now live in different cities and face growing professional obligations that prevent them from maintaining the same level of collaboration. […]
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'No Is a Full Sentence': Inside Kayla Harrison's Life as Fighter and Mother
In the predawn hours, while most fighters are still sleeping, Kayla Harrison is already up preparing lessons for her homeschooled children. By afternoon, she's at American Top Team, preparing for the biggest fight of her career against Julianna Peña at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. This seemingly impossible balancing act between […]
UFC
'Exposing the Holes': Harrison's Tactical Approach to Defeating Julianna Peña
As the UFC 316 showdown between Kayla Harrison and Julianna Peña approaches on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, Harrison isn't mincing words about her intentions in the Octagon. The two-time Olympic gold medalist has a clear assessment of her opponent and an even clearer plan to dismantle her. "I'm here to show […]
UFC
UFC Rankings Update: Morales Surges, New Faces Enter Top 15
Following Saturday's UFC Vegas 106 event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, the official UFC rankings saw significant movement across several weight classes. The updated rankings, released today (Monday, May 19, 2025), feature dramatic shifts particularly in the welterweight division, while introducing fresh talent to the featherweight and women's bantamweight rankings. Welterweight Shakeup Undefeated […]
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UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales Preview, How to Watch
UFC returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this Saturday with a welterweight contest featuring former title challenger Gilbert Burns facing undefeated prospect Michael Morales in the main event. Burns (22-8) enters the contest looking to halt a three-fight slide against top-tier competition, while Morales (17-0) aims to build on his first-round victory over […]
UFC
De Ridder Goes All In: Former ONE Champ Moving Family to US Amid UFC Title Chase
Reinier de Ridder is leaving nothing to chance in his pursuit of UFC gold. Fresh off his knockout victory over Bo Nickal, the Dutch middleweight contender revealed he's relocating his entire family to the United States to maximize his fighting career. "We're going all in on the US move," de Ridder told MMA Junkie. "I […]
UFC
Neck Hunter: De Ridder Plans to Choke Out Whittaker, Eyes Future UFC Title Shot
Former ONE Championship double champion Reinier de Ridder has a clear strategy for his July 26 UFC Abu Dhabi main event against Robert Whittaker: find the former champion's neck. "One thing we know is he really likes to jump in," de Ridder told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. "He's explosive from a distance. So, I think […]
UFC
UFC 315 Embedded Series Episodes 1-3
The UFC has launched its popular behind-the-scenes documentary series 'Embedded' for UFC 315, providing fans with an intimate look at fighters' preparations ahead of Saturday's double championship event in Montreal. New episodes are being released daily, building anticipation for the pay-per-view card headlined by two title fights.
UFC
UFC 315 Fight Card Update: Kyle Prepolec Replaces Joel Alvarez Amid Ticket Sale Struggles
Joel Alvarez has withdrawn from his UFC 315 bout against Benoit Saint-Denis due to a hand injury, with Canadian fighter Kyle Prepolec stepping in as a replacement. Meanwhile, ticket sales for the May 10 event in Montreal are reportedly struggling at around 50% capacity despite featuring two championship bouts.
UFC
Replacements Emerge After Joel Alvarez Withdraws from UFC 315 Due to Hand Injury
Lightweight contender Joel Alvarez has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC 315 due to a hand injury, dealing a significant blow to the upcoming pay-per-view card. Alvarez announced the news on Sunday via his Instagram account, stating that the injury will leave him unable to punch for three […]
UFC
UFC Champion Belal Muhammad Vows to Raise Palestinian Flag in Montreal: 'Nothing Is Going to Stop Me'
The UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has confirmed he will carry the Palestinian flag during his walkout at UFC 315 in Montreal, despite a brief controversy over its removal from his UFC profile last month. In an exclusive interview with Damon Martin for MMA Fighting, Muhammad stated he has already cleared the plan with UFC […]
UFC
Paul Felder Urges Bo Nickal to 'Let it Fly' in Des Moines Showdown
UFC commentator and former lightweight contender Paul Felder issued a direct warning to undefeated prospect Bo Nickal ahead of his crucial Saturday showdown with former ONE Championship double-champ Reinier de Ridder at UFC Des Moines, urging the wrestling phenom to be more aggressive after his disappointing last outing. In an interview with ESPN, Felder called […]
UFC
PFL World Tournament Week 4: Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights Collide in Orlando
The Professional Fighters League returns tonight with World Tournament Week 4 at Universal Studios Florida, featuring critical light heavyweight and heavyweight quarterfinal bouts with playoff implications. Former Bellator champion Phil Davis (24-7) headlines against 2022 PFL light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson (19-3) in a clash of former title holders. "In his heyday, Davis was one […]
PFL
Patrice Evra Calls Out Luis Suárez for MMA Debut Settlement
Former Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has publicly challenged old football rival Luis Suárez to settle their controversial 2011 racism dispute in his upcoming MMA debut at PFL Europe on May 23 in Paris. "When the PFL asked me who I would like, I said Luis Suárez because I had a beef with him back […]
PFL
Ian Garry Named Official Backup Fighter for UFC 315 Title Fight
Irish contender Ian Machado Garry has been confirmed as the official backup fighter for the UFC 315 welterweight championship bout between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal on May 10. UFC CEO, Dana White, confirmed the Irishman is the official backup should anything go sideways at the last minute at UFC Kansas City's […]
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