UFC Champions: Predictions for 365 Days from Now

The landscape of UFC championships is constantly shifting, and the question of who will hold the titles 365 days from now is a subject of great interest. This analysis looks back at the year in championships and projects forward to potential new titleholders. The heavyweight division remains a central story, particularly regarding Jon Jones and the interim champion Tom Aspinall. The lightweight division is currently ruled by Islam Makhachev, who continues to look dominant. In the welterweight division, Belal Muhammad has claimed the title, while Dricus Du Plessis holds the middleweight championship. The featherweight and bantamweight divisions feature champions Ilia Topuria and Merab Dvalishvili, respectively. For the women's divisions, Zhang Weili and Alexa Grasso are the current champions at strawweight and flyweight. Over the next year, the title picture could change dramatically based on upcoming fights and potential retirements. The analysis explores the current champions and the top contenders who could be holding the belts in a year's time.

The heavyweight division remains the most talked-about division in the sport. Jon Jones is the current champion, but his future is uncertain. He has been sidelined with an injury and there is speculation about his next move. The interim heavyweight champion is Tom Aspinall, who has been calling for a unification bout. If Jones decides to retire or vacate the title, Aspinall would likely be promoted to the undisputed champion. Looking forward 365 days, it is plausible that Aspinall will be the undisputed heavyweight champion. The light heavyweight division is currently held by Magomed Ankalaev after his victory over Alex Pereira. Ankalaev has a tough task ahead with potential challengers like Pereira waiting for a rematch. Pereira's rapid rise and three-division champion status makes him a constant threat. In 365 days, the light heavyweight title could very well be back around the waist of Alex Pereira if he can secure a rematch and execute his game plan effectively.

The landscape of the heavyweight division is heavily influenced by the actions of Jon Jones. If he remains champion, he may choose to defend against Stipe Miocic or potentially move up in weight. However, the more likely scenario for the next year involves Tom Aspinall solidifying his status. Aspinall has been very active and is eager to prove he is the best heavyweight in the world. The division is deep with talent, including contenders like Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov. The next 365 days will be critical for the division's direction. A unification fight between Jones and Aspinall is the most anticipated matchup, but if it does not materialize, Aspinall will likely be the one to carry the division forward.

The lightweight division is currently under the control of Islam Makhachev. He is widely considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. His reign has been dominant, with successful defenses against top contenders. However, the division is full of dangerous fighters. Arman Tsarukyan is a top contender who is likely to get the next title shot. Other threats include Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. In 365 days, Makhachev could still be the champion, but a new challenger could emerge to dethrone him. The welterweight division saw a new champion crowned this year in Belal Muhammad. He defeated Leon Edwards to capture the title. Muhammad now faces a division of hungry challengers, including Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry. The middleweight division is led by Dricus Du Plessis, who has victories over Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland. He is scheduled to face Sean Strickland in a rematch. The winner of that fight will have a target on their back from fighters like Israel Adesanya, who may look to reclaim his title.

In the welterweight division, Belal Muhammad has proven his doubters wrong. His wrestling and cardio are his biggest assets. However, the challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov is an undefeated and finishing machine. It is very possible that in 365 days, the welterweight title will be held by Shavkat Rakhmonov. At middleweight, Dricus Du Plessis has shown incredible durability and heart. His rematch with Sean Strickland will be a major test. If he gets past Strickland, a fight with Israel Adesanya is a massive blockbuster. Adesanya is a former long-reigning champion who will be motivated to get his belt back. The middleweight landscape in a year could see Israel Adesanya back on the throne, or Du Plessis establishing a long reign of his own.

The featherweight division is ruled by Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Max Holloway to win the title. He is an undefeated champion with powerful striking and strong grappling. Topuria has expressed interest in moving up to lightweight to challenge Islam Makhachev, which could happen within the next year. If he stays at featherweight, he will face challengers like Alexander Volkanovski, who wants a rematch, or Diego Lopes, who is on a hot streak. In 365 days, Topuria could still be the featherweight king or he could have vacated the title to pursue challenges at lightweight. The bantamweight division is in the hands of Merab Dvalishvili. He won the title from Sean O'Malley and has a legendary gas tank. His wrestling is nearly impossible to stop. The most dangerous challenger in the division is Umar Nurmagomedov, who is undefeated and has elite skills. It is a real possibility that Umar Nurmagomedov could be the bantamweight champion in a year's time.

For the women's divisions, the strawweight champion is Zhang Weili. She is the most dominant fighter in the history of her division. She recently defended her title against Yan Xiaonan. The flyweight division is currently held by Alexa Grasso, although there is some confusion due to Valentina Shevchenko's recent win. Grasso and Shevchenko are set to coach The Ultimate Fighter and likely fight again. Looking ahead 365 days, Zhang Weili is likely to still be the strawweight champion unless a new star emerges. At flyweight, the champion could be Valentina Shevchenko if she defeats Grasso in their rematch, or Alexa Grasso could retain her status as the top fighter in the division.

Predicting the future of UFC championships is always a difficult task due to the unpredictable nature of the sport. Injuries, upsets, and personal decisions can change everything in an instant. However, based on the current landscape, we can make some educated guesses about who might be holding the belts 365 days from now. The heavyweight division seems poised for a change, with Tom Aspinall being the most likely candidate to be the undisputed champion. The light heavyweight division could see a return to form for Alex Pereira. In the lightweight division, Islam Makhachev remains the man to beat, but challengers are lining up. The welterweight and middleweight divisions are in a state of transition, with new champions looking to establish their reigns against a new generation of contenders.

Looking at the smaller weight classes, Ilia Topuria's potential move up in weight could shake up both featherweight and lightweight. Merab Dvalishvili's reign at bantamweight will be tested by the rising star Umar Nurmagomedov. In the women's divisions, Zhang Weili continues to set the standard at strawweight, while the flyweight title will likely be decided in the trilogy between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. The next 365 days will undoubtedly bring new stars, shocking results, and unforgettable moments. The champions of today may not be the champions of tomorrow, but the competition to reach the top of the UFC mountain will remain as fierce as ever.