Outlook: After falling to Lopes in a thriller, Jean Silva returned to form with a slightly less spectacular-than-usual decision win over Arnold Allen. Although Silva didn’t score the finish, the Brazilian was composed while also flashing the dynamic explosiveness that makes him a thrill to watch. Allen, despite losing, looked sharp and still figured to be a factor in the rankings.
Carrying great momentum into 2026 are two fighters: Youssef Zalal and Steve Garcia. Zalal, 29, scored decisive wins over Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett in 2025, extending his winning streak to five in the Octagon. Meanwhile, Garcia extended his overall winning streak to seven with wins over Kattar and David Onama in 2025. Both men are due for a big name at some point in 2026.