Lobo Gym Faces A Pivotal 2026 In The UFC

This piece starts with the only one of the trio who is currently booked. Lopes rematches featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski at next month’s UFC 325.

When Lopes first fought for the title, he was touted as a standard-bearer for the division’s new guard. One can only assume that executives were hoping that he would win to usher in a new era after Ilia Topuria went ten pounds north.

Instead, the status quo returned as Volkanovski regained the title. He did not fight again, while Lopes outslugged Jean Silva to maintain his place in the rankings.

Lopes should surely know that this may be his last title shot, at least at 145. With new contenders emerging almost overnight, he must win to avoid being consigned to gatekeeper status, as Brian Ortega became after losing to Volkanovski.

Alexa Grasso: Desperate For A Resurgence

Grasso’s dethronement of Valentina Shevchenko, while still among the biggest upsets in UFC history, has not aged well. The first rematch ended in a split draw. Shevchenko, “Bullet,” left no doubt in the trilogy bout, dominating her opponent on the ground to regain her throne.

Things have only gotten worse since. Two fights before, Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot for defense no. 1 of reign no. 2. Grasso was outstruck by Natalia Silva en route to a decision loss. Grasso was then scheduled to fight Rose Namajunas, but has been pulled for unknown reasons.

Given that the UFC is returning to Mexico in February, the reason may be clear: the promotion is looking to give Grasso a winnable fight in her homecoming. A possible opponent is Maycee Barber, who has expressed interest in a rematch.

Whoever her opponent is, however, Grasso has her back against the wall, and she must win her next fight to remain relevant.

Irene Aldana: Returning To A Changed Landscape

Finally, there is Aldana. The former bantamweight challenger has not fought since 2024, when Norma Dumont smashed her face in en route to a breakout decision win.

Since then, the belt has changed hands twice. First, Julianna Peña regained it after nearly three years, then Kayla Harrison beat her to complete one of the most predictable ascensions in MMA history.

New contenders like Dumont, Ailin Perez, and Jacqueline Cavalcanti have also emerged. Aldana must fend them off to merit one last shot at glory, and at 37 years of age, she must do it fast.

End Of My Lobo Gym-UFC Rant

Lobo Gym is not the only Mexican entity currently struggling in the UFC, though.

Fresh off being TKO’d by Tatsuro Taira, former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno is making a quick turnaround to face Asu Almabayev on home soil in February. One can only assume that this is Moreno’s last fight in the division, as he is now 32 years old and will not be able to keep on safely shedding the pounds forever.

A few other prospects have also not panned out as expected. At Grasso’s old strawweight home, Yazmin Jauregui has been finished in both her defeats, while Montserrat Ruiz has lost four straight after winning her debut. Meanwhile, at bantamweight, Montserrat Rendon draws an uber-prospect in multiple-time BJJ tournament winner Beatriz Mesquita.

That is not to say there is no hope spot for Mexican MMA. Yair Rodriguez is looking to rebuild his momentum at 145, while Manuel Torres entered the rankings earlier this month and is looking to build on it.

Back in the early 2020s, Mexico, long considered a boxing hotbed, seemed poised to take over the MMA landscape. Here is hoping that it shines brightly again in the global stage…