Who are the UFC's biggest rising stars in 2026?

Islam Makhachev leads the rising stars with a 17-fight win streak and 1,770 ELO.

What makes a fighter a rising star?

A rising star is a fighter building momentum through consecutive wins. In our rankings, fighters need at least 3 straight wins and 3+ total UFC fights. The combination of win streak and ELO indicates fighters on the path to title contention.

UFC Rising Stars 2026

Q: Who are the UFC's biggest rising stars right now?

Islam Makhachev, with 17 straight UFC wins. Second: Carlos Ulberg (10). Third: Natalia Silva (9). Active UFC fighters on a win streak of three or more, ranked by streak length and then by MMA.SOCIAL ELO, counted from UFC bouts recorded here.

Q: How are rising star rankings calculated?

Rising stars are active UFC fighters on a win streak of 3 or more consecutive fights. They are ranked by streak length first, then by ELO rating. This captures fighters with the most momentum heading into their next bout.

Islam Makhachev WW · 18-1

1,770 ELO

3 KOs

8 Subs

Carlos Ulberg LHW · 10-1

1,251 ELO

6 KOs

1 Sub

Natalia Silva WFLW · 9-0

1,255 ELO

2 KOs

Joshua Van FLW · 11-1

1,297 ELO

4 KOs

Shavkat Rakhmonov WW · 7-0

1,243 ELO

1 KO

5 Subs

Michael Morales WW · 7-0

1,211 ELO

5 KOs

Farid Basharat BW · 7-0

1,167 ELO

1 Sub

Ailin Perez WBW · 7-1

1,108 ELO

1 Sub

Arman Tsarukyan LW · 11-2

1,317 ELO

5 KOs

1 Sub

Quillan Salkilld LW · 6-0

1,183 ELO

3 KOs

2 Subs

Raul Rosas Jr. BW · 7-1

1,157 ELO

2 KOs

2 Subs

Navajo Stirling LHW · 6-0

Nassourdine Imavov MW · 9-2

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies a fighter as a rising star?

A rising star is an active UFC fighter on a win streak of 3 or more consecutive fights with at least 3 total UFC bouts. They are ranked by streak length first, then by ELO rating. This captures fighters with genuine momentum.

How do rising stars compare to P4P rankings?

P4P rankings measure the best fighters overall based on ELO. Rising stars specifically highlight momentum — fighters who are on a hot run right now. A rising star might not yet be in the P4P top 10, but their win streak suggests they're heading there.

Why are some fighters with longer streaks ranked lower?

Fighters are ranked by streak length first, then by ELO within the same streak length. A fighter with a 5-fight streak always ranks above a fighter with a 4-fight streak, regardless of ELO. Within the same streak length, higher ELO (indicating tougher opposition) ranks higher.

Your move

Daily game #36 Who Has More? Two fighters, one stat. Ten rounds. Play today's 10 Pick'em · Sat Oct 31 UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan Pick every winner before the first bell. Make your picks Last card · Oct 24 UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev Score every fight 1 to 100. Rate the fights

Who are the UFC's biggest rising stars right now?

Islam Makhachev, with 17 straight UFC wins.

Second: Carlos Ulberg (10). Third: Natalia Silva (9).

Active UFC fighters on a win streak of three or more, ranked by streak length and then by MMA.SOCIAL ELO, counted from UFC bouts recorded here.

UFC Rising Stars 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

More Rankings

Your move

Who are the UFC's biggest rising stars right now?

Fight week, in your inbox