UFC Freedom 250 is finally here and with all of the hoopla, pomp and circumstance surrounding the event’s unorthodox and historic venue, at the end of the day the main reason longtime mixed martial arts enthusiasts will be tuning in is the fights themselves.

As the year winds down, Aaron Bronsteter takes a look at which current UFC champions will be the most difficult to dethrone in 2026.

When Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier square off for the third time at UFC 318, it will be a battle between two athletes with perhaps the most difficult strength of schedule in mixed martial arts history.

Merab Dvalishvili became UFC bantamweight champion when he won a unanimous decision over Sean O'Malley, but the fight was extremely competitive. They are set for a rematch in the UFC 316 main event.

Kayla Harrison has a chance this weekend to become a UFC champion, and a win over Julianna Peña at UFC 316 could also lead to a superfight with the consensus G.O.A.T Amanda Nunes.

There has been an undeniable gap in MMA between those who regulate and officiate the sport and those who consume and participate in it. More transparency from athletic commissions in the future could change that dynamic.