UFC Women’s Champions 2026: Current Titleholders, Championship Victories and the Contenders Looking to Take Their Gold

The UFC women’s divisions continue to showcase some of the most accomplished athletes in mixed martial arts. From Olympic champions to Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists and dynamic strikers, the current championship picture features three women who have taken different paths to the top of the sport.

As of October 25, 2026, Kayla Harrison, Natalia Silva and Mackenzie Dern hold the UFC’s three active women’s divisional championships.

However, winning the championship is only the beginning. Each titleholder faces a dangerous collection of challengers determined to become the next face of women’s MMA.

Here is a complete breakdown of the current UFC women’s champions, how they captured their titles and the contenders who could challenge them next.

UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion (135 Pounds): Kayla Harrison

Current Champion: Kayla Harrison

Championship Won: June 7, 2025 — UFC 316

Defeated for the Championship: Julianna Peña

Method: Submission (kimura), Round 2, 4:55

Next Confirmed Challenger: Amanda Nunes — November 14, 2026, UFC 334

How Harrison Became Champion

Kayla Harrison entered the UFC with one of the most impressive athletic backgrounds in women’s combat sports.

A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison had already established herself as an elite mixed martial artist before joining the UFC.

Her combination of world-class grappling, physical strength and relentless pressure immediately made her a championship threat.

At UFC 316, Harrison faced former bantamweight champion Julianna Peña in a highly anticipated championship contest.

Harrison demonstrated her elite grappling ability, controlling the action before securing a second-round kimura submission to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.

The victory added another major accomplishment to an already remarkable combat sports career.

Who Could Challenge Harrison Next?

1. Amanda Nunes — Confirmed November 14, 2026

The biggest fight available in the women’s bantamweight division is Harrison against former two-division champion Amanda Nunes.

Nunes is widely considered one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time, having defeated many of the most recognizable champions in UFC history.

Their UFC 334 showdown represents a fascinating matchup between Harrison’s Olympic-level grappling and Nunes’ devastating striking and championship experience.

2. Julianna Peña

Peña remains a leading contender because of her championship experience and previous victories over elite opponents.

A rematch with Harrison would provide an opportunity to avenge her submission defeat.

3. Joselyne Edwards and Ailin Perez

Both women have established positions near the top of the bantamweight rankings.

Their continued development gives the division additional challengers beyond its former champions.

Championship Outlook

Harrison has the athletic credentials and grappling skills to dominate the division for years. However, her upcoming meeting with Nunes may be the defining fight of her UFC career.

A victory would strengthen Harrison’s claim to being one of the greatest women’s combat sports athletes ever.

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion (125 Pounds): Natalia Silva

Current Champion: Natalia Silva

Championship Won: October 3, 2026 — UFC 332

Defeated for the Championship: Wang Cong

Method: Unanimous decision (48–47, 48–47, 49–46)

Leading Contenders: Alexa Grasso, Manon Fiorot, Erin Blanchfield and former champion Valentina Shevchenko

How Silva Became Champion

Natalia Silva represents the next generation of women’s UFC champions.

Known for her explosive striking, athletic movement, creativity and ability to control distance, the Brazilian fighter steadily climbed the flyweight rankings.

Her opportunity arrived when longtime champion Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the championship because of an injury that would prevent her from competing for an extended period.

Silva faced Chinese contender Wang Cong for the vacant championship at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.

Throughout the five-round contest, Silva demonstrated outstanding movement and technical striking. Although Wang delivered competitive moments, particularly late in the fight, Silva did enough to earn a unanimous decision.

The victory established Silva as the new face of the UFC women’s flyweight division.

Who Could Challenge Silva Next?

1. Valentina Shevchenko

Shevchenko remains one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC women’s history.

Although her injury makes the timing of a return uncertain, a future championship matchup against Silva would represent a major event for the division.

Silva defeating Shevchenko would provide an opportunity to establish herself against the division’s longtime standard-bearer.

2. Alexa Grasso

Former champion Alexa Grasso presents another dangerous challenge.

Her technical boxing, movement and experience in championship fights make her a legitimate threat to Silva’s reign.

Grasso’s victory over Manon Fiorot in September 2026 strengthened her position in the title discussion.

3. Manon Fiorot

Fiorot is one of the division’s most technically disciplined strikers.

Her ability to manage distance and dictate the pace of a fight would create an intriguing stylistic challenge for Silva.

4. Erin Blanchfield

Blanchfield possesses strong wrestling and submission abilities, creating a different type of matchup for the champion.

Her grappling could test Silva in situations where striking and movement alone are not enough.

Championship Outlook

Silva has the potential to become one of the UFC’s next major international stars.

However, the flyweight division is exceptionally competitive, and the presence of several former champions and established contenders means Silva will face difficult challenges throughout her reign.

UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion (115 Pounds): Mackenzie Dern

Current Champion: Mackenzie Dern

Championship Won: October 25, 2025 — UFC 321

Defeated for the Championship: Virna Jandiroba

Method: Unanimous decision

Most Recent Title Defense: Defeated Gillian Robertson at UFC 330, August 15, 2026

Leading Contenders: Zhang Weili, Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba

How Dern Became Champion

Mackenzie Dern entered mixed martial arts with an exceptional reputation as one of the world’s premier Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors.

Her submission abilities made her an immediate threat to opponents throughout the strawweight division.

However, her journey to UFC championship gold required the development of more than just grappling.

Dern improved her striking, conditioning and ability to compete effectively through five-round fights.

At UFC 321, she faced fellow Brazilian grappling specialist Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight championship.

Rather than relying exclusively on submissions, Dern displayed a more complete mixed martial arts game, earning a unanimous decision victory.

The win marked the culmination of years of development and established Dern as UFC strawweight champion.

She subsequently defended her championship against Gillian Robertson at UFC 330, winning another unanimous decision in August 2026.

Who Could Challenge Dern Next?

1. Zhang Weili

Former two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili is arguably the most intriguing opponent available to Dern.

Zhang previously dominated the division with her explosive striking, physical strength and outstanding conditioning.

After relinquishing her strawweight championship to challenge for flyweight gold, a return to 115 pounds could create a highly anticipated championship showdown.

Dern’s submission expertise against Zhang’s power and all-around abilities would make this one of the most interesting matchups in women’s MMA.

2. Tatiana Suarez

Suarez presents a particularly difficult stylistic challenge.

Her wrestling background, physical strength and ability to control opponents could challenge Dern’s grappling and force the champion to demonstrate her striking improvements.

A championship contest between Dern and Suarez would be a fascinating matchup between two high-level ground fighters.

3. Virna Jandiroba

A rematch with Jandiroba remains possible.

Jandiroba has already shared the Octagon with Dern in two UFC contests, and her submission background ensures she remains dangerous.

She would need to demonstrate sufficient progress to earn another championship opportunity.

4. Denise Gomes

Gomes represents another emerging contender who could enter the championship picture through additional victories.

Her development reinforces the depth of a division that continues to produce dangerous young fighters.

Championship Outlook

Dern has become a more complete fighter while retaining her elite submission abilities.

Her greatest challenge may come from an opponent capable of neutralizing her grappling and forcing extended striking exchanges.

Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez represent particularly compelling tests of her championship credentials.

What About the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship?

The UFC does not currently have an active women’s featherweight champion at 145 pounds.

Amanda Nunes previously held the championship before retiring in 2023, and the UFC has not reestablished a regular championship structure for the division.

Consequently, women’s strawweight, flyweight and bantamweight are the promotion’s three active championship divisions.

Conclusion: A New Era of UFC Women’s Champions

The UFC women’s championship landscape features three fighters with dramatically different strengths and career stories.

Kayla Harrison combines Olympic-level grappling with remarkable physical ability. Her upcoming championship fight against Amanda Nunes could define the next chapter in women’s MMA history.

Natalia Silva represents a new generation of dynamic strikers. Her movement, technique and confidence make her an exciting champion, but experienced challengers such as Alexa Grasso and eventually Valentina Shevchenko could present difficult tests.

Mackenzie Dern has transformed elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu credentials into a UFC championship career. With fighters such as Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez pursuing her title, the strawweight division promises outstanding future matchups.

What makes the current women’s championship picture particularly compelling is the diversity of fighting styles.

Olympic judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, elite wrestling and technical striking all play major roles in determining who succeeds at the highest level.

The current champions have earned their positions, but none can afford to become comfortable.

In the UFC, every champion eventually faces a challenger determined to prove that a new era has arrived.