Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Moving up a weight class in UFC has always been risky business. Fighters are stepping into a world with bigger, stronger fighters who hit like freight trains. But sometimes, it’s the smartest move a fighter can make. The sport’s history is filled with names like Georges St-Pierre, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes who proved that size isn’t everything when you’ve got skill and heart. Islam Makhachev recently became the 11th athlete to hold UFC titles in two weight classes when he moved up to welterweight, and he made it look easy.
Weight cutting is brutal on the body. Fighters drain themselves down to unhealthy levels just to make weight, and it takes a toll. Some realize they’re fighting a losing battle against their own biology. Others look up at the next division and see opportunity knocking. Maybe their current division is stacked with killers, or maybe they have done everything there is to do at their weight. Whatever the reason, 2026 looks like it could be the year of big moves. Let’s talk about 5 fighters who could shake things up by moving north on the scale.
5. Alex Pereira
Here’s the big one. Pereira plans to move to heavyweight in 2026, targeting either Jon Jones or a title fight with Tom Aspinall. The Brazilian has already done the unthinkable by holding titles at middleweight and light heavyweight. Now he wants to make history as the first fighter to win belts in three different UFC weight classes. At 38 years old, this is his moment. He’s cleaned out the light heavyweight division and has nothing left to prove there.
The man walks around at 225 to 235 pounds anyway. He has been an active champion over multiple weight classes and frequently stepped in at short notice to headline UFC cards. His kickboxing background gives him serious power, and that left hook could put anyone to sleep regardless of weight class. Dana White might have some reservations, but this fight makes too much sense not to happen.
4. Mackenzie Dern
On the women’s side, Dern is making noise at strawweight. Dern won the strawweight title with a unanimous decision over Virna Jandiroba, and she’s proven she belongs at the top. But cutting down to 115 pounds might be getting harder as she gets older. Moving up to flyweight could be the smart play.
Flyweight has some interesting matchups waiting. Valentina Shevchenko is the current champion, and she’s been around forever. Dern’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills are world-class, and her striking has improved dramatically. At flyweight, she wouldn’t have to drain herself making weight, and she’d still have the grappling advantage over most opponents. It’s a win-win situation for her career longevity.
3. Khamzat Chimaev
Chimaev just won the middleweight belt, but he’s already planning his exit strategy. Speaking to ESPN, Chimaev claimed he only wants to defend his UFC middleweight belt once before moving up to light heavyweight. This guy has been a problem for everyone he’s faced, and moving up seems natural for his frame. He’s undefeated at 15-0 and dominated Dricus du Plessis to win his current title.
The middleweight cut has still been tough on him. Light heavyweight gives him room to breathe and possibly extends his career. Plus, if Pereira vacates the belt to chase heavyweight glory, there’s going to be a throne sitting empty at 205 pounds. Chimaev could walk right in and claim it.
2. Michael Morales
Morales has been on an absolute tear through the welterweight division. The undefeated 25-year-old earned consecutive first-round knockout victories over Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady in 2025. He’s young, hungry, and destroying everyone in his path. At just 25, he has years ahead of him to dominate multiple divisions.
The middleweight division might be calling his name. It’s not as deep as welterweight right now, and Morales has the frame to carry extra muscle. His knockout power would translate beautifully to 185 pounds. If he continues his current trajectory, a move up makes perfect sense within the next year or two.
1. Ilia Topuria
Topuria is the current lightweight champion and he’s undefeated at 17-0. He knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round to win the lightweight title, and he’s looked unstoppable. But lightweight is absolutely stacked with talent. The division never sleeps, and there’s always another hungry contender waiting in line.
Moving to welterweight could give Topuria fresh challenges and bigger opportunities. He’s young enough to carry size up to 170 pounds. The welterweight division got interesting after Islam Makhachev’s move up, and there’s room for another dominant champion to emerge. Topuria has the skills to compete anywhere, and a move up to win the championship would cement his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)
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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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