2023 was one of the greatest years in UFC history. Fans were spoiled as four belts changed hands during jaw-dropping upsets. There were some stunning knockouts and submissions, all while new MMA superstars were born.
Since this year was so darn fun and the new year is mere weeks away, we'll examine the UFC titleholders heading into 2024. And, as we comb the list, there are some exciting names on the board. Surely, our next Sean Strickland or Sean O'Malley is hidden on the list with some tasty plus money next to his name.
We’ll walk through all the UFC future champions odds and give our picks in just a moment. First, check out some of the other UFC odds and sites, including our UFC betting news page and our How To Bet on UFC guide.
Flyweight Division Odds: A Long Reign For Pantoja
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alexandre Pantoja (C) | +120 |
| Brandon Moreno | +250 |
| Amir Albazi | +400 |
| Muhammad Mokaev | +800 |
| Brandon Royval | +1100 |
| Manel Kape | +1200 |
Odds to be champion on Dec. 31, 2024
Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja (+120)
I'm counting on a long reign for "The Cannibal." Pantoja looks unbreakable against Royval at UFC 296, and right now, he's clearly the best flyweight in the world. He's not perfect — his gas tank is still suspect — but I'll back Pantoja to defend his title against anyone in the top 10, including the winner of Albazi and Moreno.
Bantamweight Division Odds: Too Many Threats For O'Malley
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sean O'Malley (C) | +150 |
| Merab Dvalishvili | +250 |
| Umar Nurmagomedov | +275 |
| Aljamain Sterling | +350 |
| Cory Sandhagen | +500 |
| Henry Cejudo | +600 |
| Marlon Vera | +1000 |
| Song Yadong | +1000 |
Prediction: Merab Dvalishvili (+250)
We can skim over the upcoming O'Malley vs Vera bout at UFC 299 because that won't settle anything. After "Suga" Sean starches "Chito," then the real test begins. In all likelihood, O'Malley will have to defend vs Merab, and that's no easy task. A takedown machine like Merab might be the worst stylistic matchup on the board for O'Malley.
Lightweight Division Odds: Islam Or Nothing
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Islam Makhachev (C) | -120 |
| Charles Oliveira | +300 |
| Arman Tsarukyan | +400 |
| Justin Gaethje | +500 |
| Dustin Poirier | +750 |
| Mateusz Gamrot | +800 |
| Michael Chandler | +3500 |
| Benoit Saint-Denis | +3500 |
Prediction: Islam Makhachev (-120)
Islam might be unbeatable from here on out. After his blistering KO of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, it'll be hard for me to ever pick against him. Makhachev should roll through his next challengers (Oliveira, Gaethje) until Tsarukyan gives him another go. That fight is interesting, but it's at least eight months away.
Welterweight Division Odds: Watch Out For Shavkat
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Leon Edwards (C) | +100 |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov | +250 |
| Belal Muhammad | +300 |
| Islam Makhachev | +600 |
| Ian Garry | +1100 |
| Sean Brady | +1100 |
| Kamaru Usman | +1100 |
Prediction: Shavkat Rakhmonov (+250)
After Leon dismantles Belal, the hunt begins. Shavkat has won all six of his UFC fights inside the distance, and his submission game might be enough to break Edwards' impenetrable energy. Any wise betting man would put the cash on Rakhmonov.
Middleweight Division Odds: Izzy's Return Looms
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Khamzat Chimaev | +100 |
| Sean Strickland (C) | +400 |
| Dricus Du Plessis | +500 |
| Bo Nickal | +600 |
| Ikram Aliskerov | +700 |
| Israel Adesanya | +1000 |
| Brendan Allen | +1500 |
Prediction: Israel Adesanya (+1000)
Adesanya is on sabbatical, but he'll claim the title when he returns. Strickland and Du Plessis need to slug it out first, but Adesanya should clean up the winner, assuming he's not bouncing to light heavyweight for a third brawl with Alex Pereira.
Light Heavyweight Division Odds: Poatan Can't be Beat
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | +200 |
| Jamahal Hill | +300 |
| Magomed Ankalaev | +450 |
| Jiri Prochazka | +800 |
| Aleksander Rakic | +1200 |
Prediction: Alex Pereira (+200)
Pereira's big win over Prochazka opened people's eyes to the Brazilian's talents. The 36-year-old became a UFC champion in four fights, then secured a second belt three bouts later. The man fights three times a year and always brings the heat. A matchup vs Ankalaev could be challenging, but I'll bet on the incumbent to hang in there through 2024.
Heavyweight Division Odds: It's Tommy's Time
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Tom Aspinall (IC) | +175 |
| Jailton Almeida | +200 |
| Jon Jones (C) | +450 |
| Sergei Pavlovich | +600 |
| Ciryl Gane | +700 |
| Stipe Miocic | +1000 |
| Curtis Blaydes | +1500 |
Prediction: Tom Aspinall (+175)
Whether Jones fights Aspinall or not, the Brit should end up with the undisputed heavyweight title by the end of 2024. Jones is holding out for one last fight vs Miocic, but "Bones" will likely vacate the belt after that easy win. After that, it's all Aspinall, and I'll take him over anyone in the field at 265 pounds.
Women’s Strawweight Division Odds: Magnum On Top
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Zhang Weili (C) | -125 |
| Tatiana Suarez | +140 |
| Yan Xiaonan | +700 |
| Amanda Lemos | +900 |
| Carla Esparza | +1100 |
Prediction: Zhang Weili (-125)
Zhang is quickly on her way to becoming a queen of women’s MMA. The 34-year-old had some bumps through her UFC career – notably two losses to Rose Namajunas – but is back on top with a championship win over Carla Esparza at UFC 281. Weili looks too fierce for 115 pounds and easily dispatched Amanda Lemos in her last title defense.
