This year has showcased remarkable talent in the Octagon, leading to a heated debate over the UFC Fighter of the Year award. Historically, this accolade often has a clear winner, but 2026 presents several strong candidates.

Previous Winners:

• 2021: Kamaru Usman
• 2022: Alex Pereira
• 2023: Islam Makhachev

In 2026, four fighters stand out:

• Justin Gaethje: Two victories over Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria.
• Joshua Van: Dominant wins against Tatsuro Taira and Alexandre Pantoja.
• Josh Hokit: Three wins, including bouts against Denzel Freeman, Curtis Blaydes, and Derrick Lewis.
• Ciryl Gane: A notable win over Alex Pereira.
• Sean Strickland: Two upset victories against Anthony Hernandez and Khamzat Chimaev.

Current Standings:

• Justin Gaethje: 2 wins
• Joshua Van: 2 wins
• Josh Hokit: 3 wins*
• Ciryl Gane: 1 win*
• Sean Strickland: 2 wins
  (*Hokit and Gane are set to fight for the heavyweight title at UFC 334 in November)

Expert Opinions:

• Brian Campbell backs Gaethje, citing his impressive victories that have solidified his legacy. Gaethje's resilience and ability to defeat unbeaten fighters at this stage in his career make him a strong candidate.

• Brent Brookhouse leans toward Joshua Van, praising his clear championship credentials after successful title defenses against top contenders. Van's performance has erased any doubts about his legitimacy.

• Brandon Wise advocates for Josh Hokit, highlighting his rapid rise from obscurity to potential titleholder, which could mark a historic achievement in UFC.

The Fighter of the Year race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive discussions in recent memory, with each contender presenting a compelling case.