The 365's: The best upsets so far in 2026.
Upsets are the lifeblood of sport, representing pure joy or heartbreak for fans in an instant as underdogs topple giants. It is the classic David versus Goliath narrative played out in real-time.
These moments strip away the comfort of pre-game analysis and statistical projections, forcing fans to tune in for the effort and tactical battle of every match. They remind us that sport is not a scripted performance, but a living contest where anything is possible.
Furthermore, upsets prevent complacency among elite teams and athletes, and are vital for the long-term health of a league. Since upsets serve to inspire the next generation, let's take a look at some of the recent Goliaths to fall at the hands of Davids.
Which upset shocked you the most in 2026? bet365's Greatest Upsets of 2026.
The 365's: Greatest Upsets
Strickland Defeats Chimaev at UFC 328
Strickland's Odds: +425
Sean Strickland defeated Khamzat Chimaev via split decision to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.
Strickland was a huge underdog entering the Octagon, due to the undefeated (15-0) reigning champion, Chimaev, standing in front of him. Strickland previously held the UFC middleweight championship title from September 2023 through January 2024, but lost the title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297.
Despite the odds, the American survived early takedown attempts from the Russian, and relied on his superior jabs and takedown defense to hand Chimaev his first professional loss.
South Carolina Knocks Out Undefeated UConn
South Carolina's Odds: +275
The South Carolina Gamecocks faced the undefeated UConn Huskies in Women's 2026 Final Four, and dominated Geno Auriemma's team 62-48 to reach the National Championship.
South Carolina's dominant victory over the UConn snapped the Huskies' 54-game winning streak. SC won on grit and determination, forcing the Huskies into shooting 31% from the floor and winning the rebounding battle 47-32. Ta'Niya Latson led all scorers with 16 points, while nailing all ten of her free throws and pulling down 11 rebounds.
The Gamecocks would eventually fall to the UCLA Bruins in the National Championship game.
Paraguay Knocks Out Germany in R32
Paraguay's Odds: +500
In the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026, upsets were expected to be rare. However, Paraguay had other plans when they met a heavily favored German side in the first round of the knockout stage.
Germany looked nearly unplayable in their opening two group matches, defeating Curaçao 7-1 and Ivory Coast 2-1. Although they fell to Ecuador in their final group game, the Germans had already qualified for the knockout stage, where they faced a Paraguay side that had been heavily beaten by the USMNT. Paraguay had advanced after defeating Türkiye 1-0 and drawing 0-0 with Australia.
In the Round of 32, Julio Enciso opened the scoring for Paraguay just before halftime, but Germany's Kai Havertz equalised early in the second half. The Germans were stifled by goalkeeper Orlando Gill's heroics for the remainder of the match, which went to extra time and eventually penalties.
Gill made six saves during the match and one in the penalty shootout, eliminating Germany and carrying Paraguay to the Round of 16. Paraguay, who were vastly overlooked ahead of the match, produced another resilient performance against France, holding the 2018 champions to a single goal. Unfortunately, Paraguay could not find the back of the net themselves and were eliminated from the tournament.
#12 High Point Beats #5 Wisconsin
High Point's Odds: +375
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament is famous for its major upsets, and this year was no exception as #12 High Point defeated #5-ranked Wisconsin in the first round.
High Point were significant underdogs against their Big Ten opponents, but thanks to the late heroics of senior guard Chase Johnston, they edged out a narrow 83-82 victory. Johnston, known as an elite three-point shooter, scored his first two-point bucket of the season on a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds remaining.
High Point trailed for nearly the entire game, with Wisconsin holding an early 10-point lead. However, thanks to timely shooting and lockdown defence, High Point toppled the favored Badgers.
Rob Martin led the High Point Panthers in scoring, finishing with 23 points on 9-of-23 shooting, while Johnston added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench.
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