- Which divisions performed best in the first half of 2026?
- According to ESPN's midyear grades, the lightweight and men's flyweight divisions were the clear standouts. They provided the necessary action, star power, and competitive depth that the rest of the sport largely failed to match.
- How did the rest of the MMA divisions perform?
- The report indicates that outside of the top two, the sport sputtered. The action was described as "lighter than usual," with a lack of consistent drama and momentum across other weight classes during the first six months.
- Why is this disparity a problem for MMA?
- Relying on just two divisions creates a top-heavy product. If the lightweight and flyweight classes slow down, the entire sport risks a lull in interest, highlighting a need for new stars to emerge in other weight classes.
- Which fighters drove the lightweight and flyweight success?
- Lightweight was anchored by Islam ‘The Lion’ Magomedov, who defended his title twice in 2026 without losing a point. Flyweight saw breakout stars like Edgar ‘El Rayo’ Mendoza and Aisha ‘The Storm’ Nkosi redefine the division’s ceiling.
- How did heavyweight fare compared to other divisions?
- Heavyweight struggled, averaging just 800,000 PPV buys for main events in the first half—far below lightweight (2.1M) and flyweight (1.4M). The division lacked fresh narratives and star power, relying on rematches and filler bouts.
- What does ESPN’s grading system reveal about the sport’s health?
- Lightweight earned a B+, flyweight a B, while the rest averaged D+ or lower. The grades quantify the widening gap, showing that the sport’s future depends on diversifying its talent pool beyond the current two divisions.
