The Ultimate Fighting Championship has unveiled its packed schedule for the first quarter of 2026, mapping out a series of pivotal events following a dramatic year of championship upheaval. The promotion has confirmed numerous high-stakes matchups, from title fights in Las Vegas to a major pay-per-view in Sydney and the highly anticipated return to London.
A Year of Champions: The Road to 2026
The 2025 campaign witnessed significant shifts in the UFC's championship landscape, setting the stage for next year's contests. Islam Makhachev made history by breaking the lightweight title defence record before vacating the belt to capture welterweight gold, defeating Jack Della Maddalena. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria moved up to claim the now-vacant lightweight crown with a stunning knockout of Charles Oliveira.
In the heavyweight division, the retirement of legend Jon Jones finally allowed interim champion Tom Aspinall to be elevated to undisputed status. Elsewhere, long-reigning champions Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja saw their reigns end on the same night in November, while veterans like Alexander Volkanovski and Alex Pereira reclaimed their thrones. New middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev, who dominated Dricus Du Plessis, now looks ahead to his first title defence.
Confirmed UFC Fights for Early 2026
The new year kicks off with a blockbuster pay-per-view in Las Vegas. UFC 324 on Saturday 24 January at the T-Mobile Arena is headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and the UK's own Paddy Pimblett. The co-main event features a monumental women's bantamweight title clash as champion Kayla Harrison defends against the returning legend Amanda Nunes.
The following week, the UFC travels to Sydney, Australia for UFC 325 on Saturday 31 January at Qudos Bank Arena. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski headlines in a rematch against Diego Lopes, seeking to reaffirm his dominance.
February and March feature a series of Fight Night events across the globe:
- 7 February: UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, headlined by bantamweights Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira.
- 21 February: UFC Fight Night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, featuring a middleweight bout between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez.
- 28 February: UFC Fight Night at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, headlined by flyweights Brandon Moreno and Asu Almabayev.
The March schedule culminates with UFC 326 on Saturday 7 March back at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event is topped by a highly anticipated rematch for the 'BMF' title as champion Max Holloway faces Charles Oliveira for a second time.
The UFC's Return to London and Beyond
British fight fans have a major date to circle on their calendars. The UFC will return to the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 21 March 2026 for a Fight Night event. While the matchups for the London card are yet to be announced (TBA), its placement on the schedule confirms the UK's continued status as a key market for the promotion. Another Fight Night is scheduled for the same day in Seattle, USA.
All main events and championship fights are scheduled for five rounds. Fight cards are subject to change.
With a blend of established stars, emerging contenders, and championship gold on the line across three continents, the UFC's 2026 schedule promises another relentless year of elite mixed martial arts action.
