Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), today announced the return of the Octagon® to Abu Dhabi with UFC® 333 at Etihad Arena on Saturday, October 24.

Abu Dhabi Showdown Week returns to Yas Island this October with another unforgettable week of world-class MMA and fan experiences. Fans are encouraged to register their interest early at VisitAbuDhabi.ae for the best chance to secure tickets, along with exclusive hotel packages for traveling fans.

VIP Experience packages for UFC® 333 will be available soon via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. These exclusive packages offer premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, all-inclusive private lounge access, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more. For additional information, please visit UFCVIP.com to view package details.

With more than 20 events staged in Abu Dhabi since 2010, UFC has become a fixture on the region’s sporting calendar. Recent events have continued to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s status as one of the sport’s premier destinations, with July’s UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER last year delivering an unforgettable night of action, followed by Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which culminated in UFC® 321, headlined by Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.

This month’s UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ANKALAEV vs GUSKOV continues that momentum.

For further information on UFC® 333 and the latest updates, please visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit tcaabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae. For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit inabudhabi.ae.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Meta APEX with a stacked card headlined by a can’t-miss main event that sees No. 8 ranked lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrotface off with rising No. 12 Quillan Salkilld. Also on the card, No. 8 ranked women’s strawweight contender Amanda Lemos meets No. 12 Alexia Thainara.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: GAMROT vs. SALKILLD takes place Saturday, August 8 in Las Vegas. The prelims will air at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live exclusively on Paramount+.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: GAMROT vs. SALKILLD are on sale now at AXS.com.Meta APEX VIP Experience packages are also now available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes a red carpet arrival, early Meta APEX access, premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality with UFC athlete appearances, in-seat beverage service, a post-fight Octagon experience and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Gamrot (26-4 1NC, fighting out of Pozna?, Poland) returns to action looking to string consecutive wins together and put himself back into title contention. A grappler by trade, Gamrot has shown off his well-rounded skills with stoppage victories over Diego Ferreira and Scott Holtzman. “Gamer” now looks to end Salkilld’s momentum and maintain his spot in the division’s Top 10.

The surging Salkilld (12-1, fighting out of Perth, Western Australia) aims to extend his impressive 12-fight win streak in his first UFC main event. A signee from season eight of Dana White’s Contender Series, he holds recent wins over Beneil Dariush, Jamie Mullarkey and Nasrat Haqparast. Salkilld now faces his toughest opponent to date and intends to cement his status as a future title challenger.

Lemos (15-6-1, fighting out of Belém, Brazil) looks to return to her winning ways and remind people of the skills that previously earned her a title shot. The veteran is tied for second most finishes (five) and second most knockouts (three) in UFC women’s strawweight division history. Lemos now looks to defend her spot in the rankings against her ascending compatriot.

Thainara (14-1, fighting out of Varginha, Brazil) steps back into the Octagon hoping to crack the 115-pound Top 10. The owner of a 14-1 record and 12-fight winning streak, Thainara has already earned UFC wins over Molly McCann, Loma Lookboonmee and Bruna Brasil. She now sets her sights on bolstering her resume with a win over the former title challenger.

Additional bouts include:

• Dana White’s Contender Series signees square off at welterweight as standout Ty Miller (7-0 1NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) takes on Billy Ray Goff (9-4, fighting out of Groton, Conn.)
• A women’s flyweight bout features Juliana Miller (4-4, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) and Ravena Oliveira (7-4-1, fighting out of Miguel Calmon, Brazil)
• Heavyweight action sees Steven Asplund (7-2, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) take on Guilherme Pat (6-1, fighting out of São Paulo, Brazil)
• Featherweight veteran Darren Elkins (29-12, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) battles Dana White’s Contender Series signee Yadier del Valle (10-1, fighting out of Houston, Texas)
• Louie Sutherland (11-5, fighting out of London, England) and José Montanha da Silva (6-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) face off in a heavyweight bout.
• An exciting lightweight bout pits Diego Ferreira (19-7, fighting out of McAllen, Texas) against Billy Quarantillo (18-7, fighting out of Tampa, Fla.)
• Diyar Nurgozhay (11-2, fighting out of Astana, Kazakhstan) faces Bruno Lopes(14-3, fighting out of Cotia, Brazil) in a matchup of Dana White’s Contender Series light heavyweight signees

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

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About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount+:

Paramount+ is the global flagship streaming home of premium original series and entertainment from some of the most enduring brands in television to subscribers around the world. Drawing on decades of beloved IP, Paramount+ also features a diverse offering of live sports, feature films, news and series from across the Paramount portfolio including CBS hits like Marshals and Tracker, all BET Original Series, the Avatar animated universe from Nickelodeon and more. It is a key pillar of the Direct-to-Consumer division at Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), whose portfolio spans Paramount Pictures, Pluto TV, and Skydance Animation, Games and Sports divisions. For more information, visit www.paramount.com.

Las Vegas – UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, is set to return to Glendale, Arizona on Saturday, September 12 for its first event at Desert Diamond Arena to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with NOCHE UFC – a can’t-miss event featuring a card stacked with Mexican and Latin American talent, including former champions, rising prospects and fan favorites.  

With high demand expected for the event, fans are advised to learn more information and register their interest early at ufc.com/nocheufc to secure tickets in advance.

NOCHE UFC takes place Saturday, September 12 in Glendale, Arizona. The prelims will air at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+.

Tickets for NOCHE UFC will go on sale Friday, July 31 at 10 a.m. MT and are available at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets on Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m. MT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. MT. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Media members wishing to apply for NOCHE UFC fight week credentials may sign up here.

NOCHE UFC will be the first of seven high-profile live events in Arizona over the next three years through TKO’s landmark partnership with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance.

Known for always delivering non-stop action and embodying an indomitable fighting spirit, Mexican and Latin American athletes have consistently been favorites of their passionate fan bases around the world – rising to achieve the highest goals and accomplishments in the UFC. These athletes include former UFC women’s flyweight champion and current No. 3 ranked contender Alexa Grasso, who is set to compete on her third NOCHE UFC event as she faces No. 2 ranked Manon Fiorot. Joining her on the card will be former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who makes his first NOCHE UFC appearance as he faces The Ultimate Fighter season 33 winner Joseph Morales.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 5 ranked UFC heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic) takes on No. 7 ranked Curtis Blaydes (19-6 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.)
• No. 12 ranked UFC flyweight contender Tim Elliott (22-14-1, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) meets the always-exciting No. 15 ranked Edgar Chairez (14-6 1NC, fighting out of Baja California, Mexico)
• UFC Hall of Famer Kelvin Gastelum (22-11 1NC, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.) goes toe-to-toe with Yousri Belgaroui (10-3, fighting out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in a middleweight bout
• No. 14 ranked women’s flyweight contender JJ Aldrich(15-7, fighting out of Westminster, Colo.) faces the highly touted Regina Tarin (8-0, fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico)

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click here to apply for the event.

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About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes, representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Desert Diamond Arena

Desert Diamond Arena, a Legends Global-managed venue, is a state-of-the-art, multipurpose events and entertainment facility situated on 13.5 acres in the city of Glendale, Arizona. The arena entertains over one million visitors annually through concerts, family shows and sporting events. The arena anchors the Westgate Entertainment District, Arizona’s Entertainment Destination, located on 223 acres for shopping, dining, entertainment and commercial offices.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

About the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance (the Alliance)

The Arizona Sports & Events Alliance is the state’s lead organization dedicated to attracting, planning and hosting major events for Arizona. As Arizona’s front door for world-class sports, entertainment and commercial events, the Alliance unites civic, business, tourism, Native American and sports leaders with governing bodies to deliver exceptional experiences, fuel economic growth and elevate Arizona’s global profile. For more information, visit AZSportsAlliance.com, or follow @AZSportsAlliance on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Las Vegas – Dana White’s Contender Series, the iconic talent-discovery show, is set to debut on Paramount+ with its historic 10th season featuring the newest crop of UFC hopefuls looking to impress Dana White and the UFC matchmakers for the chance to secure a contract with the UFC. 

Season 10 is scheduled for 10 Tuesday night episodes, with the first taking place on Tuesday, August 11 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, with all five bouts streaming exclusively on Paramount+.

First debuting in 2017, the brainchild of UFC President and CEO Dana White has resulted in over 300 total contracts froms its first nine seasons and Dana White’s Contender Series: Brazil – including four UFC champions in Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Ulberg. Other notable alumni include top-ranked UFC contenders and stars such as Lone’er Kavanagh, Kevin Vallejos, Jacobe Smith, David Martinez, Ateba Gautier, Quillan Salkilld, Payton Talbott, Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, Josh Hokit, Mauricio Ruffy, Kevin Holland, Caio Borralho, Brendan Allen and Joe Pyfer.

Visit the UFC.com for information and additional content to support your UFC coverage.

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About UFC®

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes, representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit

Max Holloway was credited with a first round stoppage over the come backing Conor McGregor apparent knee injury at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the opening seconds, McGregor tried a jumping kick and McGregor fell and seemed to possible suffer the knee injury. McGregor fell two more times and the fight was stopped just 69 seconds into the contest.

Holloway avenged a loss to McGregor from 13-years ago. The Waianae, Hawaii native is now 28-9 with 13 knockouts. McGregor of Dublin was making his first appearance in five years after he broke his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier. The former two-division champion is 22-7.

Pimblett Chokes out Saint Denis in Less Than a Minute

Paddy Pimblett choked out Benoit Saint Denis is less than a minute of their lightweight bout.

Saint Denis shot in and Pimblett was able to get a front choke. He cranked it in and the fight was over at 52 seconds.

Pimblett, 156 lbs of Liverpool is 24-4 with 11 submissions. Saint Denis, 156 lbs of Paris is 17-4.

Bautista Decisions Sandhagen

Mario Bautista won a unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen in a featherweight bout.

In round three, Bautista was bleeding around his right eye.

Bautista, 135.5 lbs of Phoenix won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 18-3. Sandhagen, 135.5 lbs of Aurora, CO is 18-7.

Royval Stops Kavanaugh in 3

Brandon Royval submitted Lone’er Kavanaugh in the third round of their flyweight bout.

It was a bloody and physical fight and Kavanaugh was bleeding out of his mouth. In the third round, Royval choked out Kavanaugh 3:40.

Royval, 125 lbs of Denver is 18-9 with 10 submissions. Kavanaugh, 126 lbs of London is 10-2.

King Green Stops McKinney in Last Second of Round One

King Green stopped Terrance McKinney in the final second of the opening round of their lightweight bout.

Green was cut in the first 30 seconds around the right eye. McKinney took care of most of the round then Green landed a body shot that doubled over McKinney and then Green landed nine ground shots and the fight was stopped at 4:59.

Green, 155 lbs of Fontana, CA is 36-17-1 with 13 stoppages. McKinney, 155 lbs of Spokane, WA is 18-9.

Robert Whittaker stopped Nikita Krylov in round three of their light heavyweight bout.

In round three, Whittaker landed a straight right to the head of Ktylov that hurt the neck and jaw of Krylov. Krylov backed to the cage and the fight was stopped at 2:01

Whittaker, 205.5 lbs of New South Wales, AUS is 28-9 with 12 knockouts. Krylov, 205.5 lbs of Kislovosk, RUS is 31-12.

Gable Steveson stopped Elisha Ellison in the opening round of their heavyweight bout.

In round one, Steveson landed two hard knees and then dropped Ellison with a left to the nose. Steveson landed two knees that put Ellison down and then one massive ground shot ended it at 2:31.

Steveson, 241 lbs of Albuquerque is 4-0 with four knockouts. Ellison, 236 lbs of Enumclaw, WA is 5-3.

Adrian Yanez stopped former world champion at 2:47 of the opening round of their bantamweight bout.

Yanez is now 18-6-1 with 12 knockouts. Garbrandt is 15-8.

Luke Riley remained undefeated with a Kai Kamaka III in the opening round of their lightweight fight.

In round one, Riley dropped Kamaka with a huge right hand oi the jaw. Riley then had Kamaka up against the fence and landed a flurry of kicks and punches and the fight was stopped at 3:03.

Riley, 146 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 14-0 with 10 knockouts. Kamaka, 146 lbs of Kapalei, HI is 18-8-1.

Wang Cong won a unanimous decision over Tracy Cortez in a bantamweight bout.

In round two, Cong was deducted a point for an illegal knee.

Cong, 125.5 lbs of China won by scores of 29-27 on all cards and is now 10-1. Cortez, 126 lbs of Mexico City is 12-4.

Damian Pinas scored a sensation first round stoppage over Cesar Almeida in a middleweight bout.

Pinas landed a straight right to the jaw that put Almeida down. Pinas stood over Almeida not knowing if he should hit the knocked out Almeida. Pinas threw one half hearted shot and the fight was stopped at 4:44.

Pinas, 185.5 lbs of Brazil is 10-1 with nine knockouts. Almeida, 186 lbs of Sao Paulo, BRA is 7-3.

Farid Bashrat won a unanimous decision over John Garza in a bantamweight bout.

Basharat, 136 lbs of Coconut Creek, FL won by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-28 and is now 17-0. Garza, 135.5 lbs of Dallas is 6-2.

In round two, Gandra was bleeding from his nose.

Ryan Gandra stopped Zachary Reese in the opening round of their middleweight bout.

In round one, Gandra landed a leaping ;eft hook that put Reese on the deck. A couple more ground shots forced a stoppage at 1:15.

Gandra, 187.5 lbs of Brazil is 10-1. Reese, 184.5 lbs of Houston is 10-4.

Alessandro Costa submitted Cody Durden in the second round of their flyweight bout.

In round two, Durden was cut around the right eye. Costa was able to get a rear-naked choke and the fight was stopped at 2:19.

Costa, 126 lbs of Puebla, MEX is 17-5. Durden, 125.5 lbs of Covington, GA is 18-11-1.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Sacramento, California with a high-stakes middleweight bout that sees No. 6 ranked contender Anthony Hernandez take on No. 12 Gregory Rodrigues. In addition, an intriguing light heavyweight contest pits Roman Dolidzeagainst Reinier de Ridder. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: HERNANDEZ vs. RODRIGUES takes place Saturday, August 22 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California and will be available on Paramount+. The prelims will air at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: HERNANDEZ vs. RODRIGUES will go on sale Friday., July 10 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wed., July 8 at 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thurs., July 9 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Hernandez (15-3, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif.) returns to action looking for redemption. A top ranked contender of the 185-pound division, the Mexican American rose to the top of his weight class by taking out notable names such as Brendan Allen, Roman Kopylov and Michel Pereira. Hernandez now sets forth to deliver a statement performance against Rodrigues and find himself back on the path to title contention.

Rodrigues (15-3, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) aims for a statement in his second UFC main event. Currently on a three-fight win streak, Rodrigues has become a formidable contender by delivering devastating knockouts against Brunno Ferreira, Jack Hermansson, and Brad Tavares. He now aims to dispose of Hernandez and break into the division’s Top 10. 

Dolidze (15-5, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) sets out to deliver an impressive performance and resume his winning ways. A well-rounded veteran, Dolidze earned his stripes in the Octagon delivering victories over the likes of Jack Hermannson, Phil Hawes, and Kyle Daukaus. He now sets his sights on de Ridder as he looks to spoil the rising contender’s night. 

De Ridder (21-3, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands) looks to make a statement in his second outing of the 2026 season. A decorated submission specialist with knockout power, the Netherlands native has made an impact with wins over Robert Whittaker, Bo Nickal, and Kevin Holland. De Ridder now circles Dolidze’s name as his next target as he looks for another highlight win to further his goal of becoming a UFC champion. 

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Hard hitting heavyweights face off as No. 6 ranked contender Serghei Spivac(18-6, fighting out of Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) and Vitor Petrino(14-2, fighting out of Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) lock horns
• A thrilling heavyweight contest sees pair of Dana White’s Contender Series signees Kennedy Nzechukwu(14-6-1, fighting out of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas) and Shamil Gaziev(14-3, fighting out of Kingdom of Bahrain) collide 
• Dana White’s Contender Series strawweight contract winners Carli Judice(6-2, fighting out of Lafayette, La.) and Jeisla Chaves(7-0, fighting out of Poções, Bahia) aim to put on a show
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Wes Schultz(9-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) goes toe-to-toe with fellow middleweight Jackson McVey(7-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.)
• Strawweights Shanelle Dyer(7-1, fighting out of London, England) and Elise Reed(8-5, fighting out of Princeton, N.J.) square off

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com. 

July 6, 2026 – One of the biggest weekends in combat sports will begin with a live one-hour primetime special THIS IS UFC: McGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY premieres live on CBS Friday, July 10 at 9:00PM ET/delayed PT, with a first-of-its-kind live broadcast weigh-in featuring both main event fighters plus co-main event competitors Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis.

• THIS IS UFC: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY sets the stage for the highly anticipated McGregor vs. Holloway main event on Saturday, July 11. The special will feature interviews with McGregor, Holloway and an appearance by Dana White.
• The special debuts in advance of UFC^® 329: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY 2 streaming on Saturday, July 11 from the T-Mobile Arena with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT,  prelims at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and early prelims beginning at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT exclusively on Paramount+. THIS IS UFC: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY will also be available to stream on Paramount + beginning Saturday, July 11. 
• UFC 329 is headlined by a thrilling rematch 13 years in the making that will see former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor collide with former featherweight titleholder Max Holloway. Also, an exciting lightweight contenders’ bout sees No. 5 ranked contender Benoit Saint Denis battle No. 6 Paddy Pimblett.
• UFC^® 329: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY 2 takes place Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Paramount+. The prelims will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Paramount+.

  • McGregor (22-6, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) returns to action for the first time in five years looking for a vintage performance. A devastating striker, he holds thrilling KO wins against Eddie Alvarez, Jose Aldo and Donald Cerrone. McGregor plans to remind fans why he is one of the greatest fighters ever by securing a second victory over Holloway.
  • Holloway (27-9, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) intends to spoil McGregor’s return with a highlight-reel finish. A former featherweight champion and BMF titleholder, he has earned memorable wins against Justin Gaethje, Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega. Holloway now looks to even the score by stopping McGregor in emphatic fashion.
  • Saint Denis (17-3 1NC, fighting out of Paris, France) steps back in the Octagon following an impressive TKO win against Dan Hooker in February.  Currently riding a four-fight win streak, he also holds notable victories over Beneil Dariush, Mauricio Ruffy and Matt Frevola. Saint Denis now plans to finish Pimblett and stake his claim for a title shot.
  • Pimblett (23-4, fighting out of Liverpool, Merseyside, England) is coming off his Fight of the Year candidate against Justin Gaethje in January. A relentless competitor, he has delivered exciting victories over Michael Chandler, King Green and Tony Ferguson. Pimblett aims to halt Saint Denis’ momentum to crack the lightweight Top 5.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC bantamweight title challenger and No. 4 ranked contender Cory Sandhagen (18-6, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.) runs it back with No. 8 Mario Bautista (17-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.)
• No. 4 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval (17-9, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) looks to halt the momentum of rising No. 6 Lone’er Kavanagh (10-1, fighting out of London, England)
• Freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson (3-0, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) makes his highly anticipated UFC debut against Elisha Ellison (5-2, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.) in a heavyweight tilt
• Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (27-9, fighting out of Sydney, Australia) moves up to light heavyweight to face No. 13 ranked contender Nikita Krylov (31-11, fighting out of Kislovodsk, Russia)
• Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (15-7, fighting out of Uhrichsville, Ohio) collides with Adrian Yanez (17-6-1, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a battle at 135-pounds
• No. 8 ranked flyweight contender Tracy Cortez (12-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) squares off with No. 12 Wang Cong (9-1, fighting out of Liaoning Province, China)
• Damian Pinas (9-1, fighting out of Aruba) takes on Cesar Almeida (7-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a middleweight bout 
• Undefeated Luke Riley (13-0. Fighting out of Liverpool, England) meets Kai Kamaka III (15-7-1, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) at featherweight 
• Ryan Gandra (9-1, fighting out of Betim, Brazil) locks horns with Zachary Reese (10-3 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas by way of Shiner, Texas) in a middleweight clash
• Ode Osbourne (13-9 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Milwaukee, Wisc.) faces Cody Durden (18-10-1, fighting out of Covington, Ga.) at flyweight

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes, representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

@ParamountPlus

@PeakParamount

#ParamountPlus

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a highly anticipated matchup that sees UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev take on No. 1 ranked contender Ian Machado Garry. In addition, the night’s co-main event features UFC strawweight champion Mackenzie Dernset out for her first title defense against No. 5 ranked challenger Gillian Robertson.

UFC ^® 330: MAKHACHEV vs. MACHADO GARRY takes place Saturday, August 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Xfinity Mobile Arena and will stream exclusively on Paramount+. The night’s action kicks off with the early prelims at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the prelims kicking off at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET. The main card will air at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.

UFC ^® 330: MAKHACHEV vs. MACHADO GARRY will go on sale Fri., July 3 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wed., July 1 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thurs., July 2 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Makhachev (28-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) returns to the Octagon looking to display another shutout performance. The Dagestani powerhouse has solidified himself as one of the greatest by dominating against formidable challengers and UFC champions such as Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Charles Oliveira, and most recently Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division title holder. Makhachev now sets forth to add onto his historic championship legacy and secure his first title defense at 170-pounds against Machado Garry.

Machado Garry (17-1, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland by way of Belo Horizonte, Brazil) looks to shock the world. Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Machado Garry has made a name for himself in the welterweight division by delivering impressive wins against the likes of Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, and Michael “Venum” Page. He now aims to dethrone Makhachev in unforgettable fashion and claim his spot as the new division king. 

Dern (16-5, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.) makes her first appearance as champion. An eight-year Octagon veteran, Dern became a staple of the strawweight division through victories over Virna Jandiroba, Amanda Ribas, and Loopy Godinez. She now sets her sights on Robertson and intends to deliver a successful title defense. 

Canada’s Robertson (17-8, fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Fla. by way of Niagara Falls, Canada) looks to secure the biggest win of her career. Making a splash through The Ultimate Fighter, Robertson has become a battle-hardened veteran by securing wins against top ranked contenders such as Amanda Lemos, Marina Rodriguez, and Luana Pinheiro. Robertson now aims to spoil Dern’s night and capture UFC gold. 

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Jalin Turner(15-9, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) makes his return to face off against Brazil’s Kauê Fernandes(11-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at lightweight
• Intriguing welterweight bout sees Neil Magny(31-15, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) face off against Ramiz Brahimaj(13-6, fighting out of Chicago, Ill. by way of Bronx, N.Y.)
• Welterweight fireworks set as Dana White’s Contender Series signees Geoff Neal(16-8, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) and Chidi Njokuani(25-12, fighting out of Garland, Texas) look to steal the show
• Dana White’s Contender Series middleweight contract winners Mansur Abdul-Malik(9-1-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Dustin Stoltzfus(16-8, fighting out of Germersheim, Germany) go toe-to-toe 
• All-action welterweights Jeremiah Wells(13-4-1, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.)and  Myktybek Orolbai(16-2-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif. by way of Osh, Kyrgyzstan) lock horns
• Vicente Luque(24-12, fighting out of Brasília, Brasil) collides with Tresean Gore(7-4, fighting out of Phoenix, Arizona) at middleweight 
• Lightweight tilt sees Octagon veteran Edson Barboza(24-12, fighting out of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) square off against Dana White’s Contender Series alum Esteban Ribovics(15-3, fighting out of Cordoba, Argentina)
• High-stakes flyweight bout pits No. 4 ranked contender Erin Blanchfield(14-2, fighting out of Elmwood Park, N.J.) against No. 7 Jasmine Jasudavicius(15-4, fighting out of Niagara, Ontario, Canada)

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Xfinity Mobile Arena

Xfinity Mobile Arena, owned and operated by Comcast Spectacor, is Philadelphia’s home for sports and entertainment. In addition to hosting the top touring musical acts, family shows and other entertainment, the arena’s main tenants include the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and Villanova Men’s Basketball. After the completion of its multi-year $400 million+ transformation, every inch of the venue has been completely reimagined. The project produced full upgrades and overhauls to the fan experience, technology, food and beverage, seating options, sightlines, performer amenities and sustainability. 

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com. 

LAS VEGAS, June 26, 2026 – Following Paramount+’s recent announcement that UFC Freedom 250 reached a record-breaking 17 million total viewers on the platform across the U.S. and Latin America, UFC® today announced that viewership in additional countries, including Australia, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, and the U.K., has doubled the reported audience and increased total global viewership to an estimated 34 million people[1], making the landmark White House card one of the most-watched events in UFC history.

Final global viewership totals reflect the standard reporting process for some international broadcasters, with audience data from certain markets finalized seven to 10 days after live events air. Several countries, including Spain and France, which had athletes headlining the card, will not report viewership until mid-July or later.

The event, which took place Sunday, June 14, on the grounds of the White House in Washington, D.C., commemorated the 250th birthday of the United States in a once-in-a-generation celebration of the American fighting spirit. The action inside the Octagon matched the unprecedented scale of the event. For the first time in UFC history, every bout on the card ended by knockout or technical knockout. In the main event, Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by corner stoppage following the fourth round to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

UFC FREEDOM 250 was distributed globally in more than 170 countries through over 50 broadcast partners. On June 18, Paramount+ announced that the White House card marked the biggest exclusive live event in Paramount+ history, reaching 17 million total viewers and averaging 8.2 million viewers in the United States and Latin America.[2]

In the U.S., UFC FREEDOM 250 averaged 7.0 million viewers, making it the most-watched UFC event ever domestically. [3]

In the days following the June 14 live presentation on Paramount+, viewership continued to increase, making UFC FREEDOM 250 the most-watched live event replay in Paramount+ history.[4]

UFC FREEDOM 250 also delivered the most powerful social media performance ever for UFC. Throughout fight week (June 8–14), UFC social media amassed 126 billion total views, 5 billion engagements, and 536,000 new followers. UFC was the top trend throughout fight night on June 14, occupying eight of the top 10 trending positions.

• Instagram led UFC’s platform performance with 68.6 billion impressions, 2.2 billion engagements, and 283,000 new followers.
• Facebook generated 42.3 billion impressions, 2.1 billion engagements, and 3.3 million in audience growth.
• TikTok delivered 6.5 billion impressions, 337.9 million engagements, and 367,000 new followers.
• YouTube generated 5.7 billion impressions, 122.3 million engagements, and 152,000 new followers.

UFC FREEDOM 250 also drove major growth across social media for athletes competing on the card, with Ilia Topuria adding 2 million new followers, followed by Justin Gaethje at 420,000, Alex Pereira at 363,000, and Diego Lopes at 277,000.

UFC FREEDOM 250 drew widespread attention across sports, business, and political media while generating an estimated 64 billion impressions valued at $1.1 billion across broadcast and online platforms.[5] 

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes, representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Oklahoma City for the first time in almost 10 years for its debut event at Paycom Center with a thrilling middleweight bout that sees former champion and current No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessisbattle former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Also on the card, No. 11 ranked UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannoniertakes on No. 13 Christian Leroy Duncan.

UFC^® FIGHT NIGHT: DU PLESSIS vs. USMAN takes place Sat., July 18 at Paycom Center. The prelims will air at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DU PLESSIS vs. USMAN are on sale now and available at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

Former UFC middleweight king Du Plessis (23-3, fighting out of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa) intends to remind the division of the skills that made him champion. A well-rounded finisher who has earned stoppages in 20 of his 23 wins, Du Plessis’ resume includes victories over Sean Strickland (twice), Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. He now intends to spoil Usman’s return to 185-pounds and retain his spot in the Top 5. 

Usman (21-4, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of Auchi, Nigeria) makes his sophomore appearance at middleweight with his eyes set on a quick rise to title contention. Considered one of the greatest welterweights of all time, he holds wins over Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice) and Tyron Woodley. Usman now intends to kick off his 2026 campaign by proving he still has what it takes to claim UFC gold in a second weight class. 

Cannonier (18-9, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) makes his first Octagon appearance of 2026. A former middleweight title challenger, he owns bonus-winning victories over Gregory Rodrigues, Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson. Cannonier now has his sights set on defending his spot in the rankings by turning away another rising contender.

Duncan (14-2, fighting out of Gloucester, England) plans to extend his win streak by securing his biggest victory yet. An exciting and dynamic striker, Duncan broke into the Top 15 ranking with consecutive wins over Roman Dolidze, Marco Tulio and Eryk Anders. He now looks to make a statement by taking out Cannonier in impressive fashion.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• An exciting welterweight bout sees fan favorite Kevin Holland (29-15 1NC, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) take on undefeated prospect Jacobe Smith (12-0, fighting out of Dallas, Texas)
• Featherweight hopefuls Austin Bashi (14-1, fighting out of West Bloomfield, Mich.) and Jose Delgado (11-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) lock horns
• Undefeated rising prospect Tommy McMillen (10-0, fighting out of Scottsdale, Ariz.) aims for another highlight-reel performance as he faces Alberto Montes (12-1, fighting out of Barquisimeto Estado Lara, Venezuela) at featherweight
• An intriguing women’s strawweight bout sees Tabatha Ricci (12-4, fighting out of Ventura, Calif. by way of Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil) face Fatima Kline (9-1, fighting out of Hyde Park, N.Y.) 
• Undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series light heavyweight debutant Levi Rodrigues Jr.(5-0 1NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) aims to impress against Felipe Franco (10-2, fighting out of Bahia, Brazil)
• Alden Coria (12-3 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) seeks to remain undefeated in the UFC as he faces Stewart Nicoll(8-3, fighting out of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
• Heavyweight action sees Allen Frye Jr.(6-1, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) go toe-to-toe with Alvin Hines (7-1, fighting out of Grand Rapids, Minn.)
• Chase Hooper (16-5-1, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.) and Mitch Ramirez (8-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) clash at lightweight
• Veronica Hardy (10-5-1, fighting out of New York, N.Y. by way of Caracas, Venezuela) and Dione Barbosa (9-4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil) cross paths in a women’s flyweight tilt

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit UFC.com. All bouts are live and subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for credentials to the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paycom Center

Paycom Center is Oklahoma City’s premier entertainment facility and home to NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Consistently listed on Pollstar’s Top Arenas Worldwide, the venue hosts numerous concerts, family shows, and sporting events creating memories for thousands of guests each year. Paycom Center is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and managed by Legends Global, the premier venue management and services company. For more information and a full list of events, visit paycomcenter.com. 

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

In a war, Justin Gaethje won the UFC Lightweight championship with a stoppage of previously undefeated champion Ilia Topuria at South Lawn at The White House

In round one, Topuria was cut around the right eye. Topuura was landing hard and thudding body shots himself and the were hurt at various points of the fight,

After round thewe, Topuria had both eyes almost swollen shut and the ringside doctor wanted to stop the fight, Finally one of the cornermen stopped the contested before the final round.

Gaethje, 155 lbs of Denver was twice the interim world champion is finally undisputed with a record of 28-5 with 21 stoppages. Topuria, 144 lbs of Alicante, SPA is 17-1.

Cyril Gane won the UFC Interim Heavyweight title with a second round stoppage over two-division world champion Alex Pereira.

In round two, Gane dropped Pereira with a jab and followed up with hammer fists. Later, Gane landed a hard two lefts and two rights that wobbled Pereira into the cage and the fight was stopped at 1:27.

Gane, 248 lbs of Paris is 14-2 with seven knockouts. Pereira, 251 lbs of Danbury, CT is 13-4.

Former world champion Sean O’Malley stopped Aiemann Zahabi in the second round of their bantamweight bout.

In round two, O’Malley landed a left hand that put Zahabi down. Zahani get up and ate a left and the fight was stppped at 4:02.

O.Malley, 135 lbs of Peoria, AZ is 20-3 with 12 knockouts. Zahabi, 135 lbs of Montreal is 14-3.

Josh Hokit remained undefeated as he beat up fan favorite Derrick Lewis in round two of their heavyweight bout.

In round one, Lewis was cut bad over his left eye from a elbow on the ground. In round two, Hokit landed a right hand that was followed by two lefts and a couple of ground shots later the fight was stopped at 4:09.

Hokit, 236 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 10-0 with six knockouts. Lewis, 265 lbs of Houston is 29-14-0-1.

Mauricio Ruffy stopped Michael Chandler in the first round of their lightweight fight.

Ruffy dropped Chandler with a body shot and then again with a kick. Ruffy landed two more uppercuts and the fight was stopped at

Ruffy, 155 lbs of Brazil is 14-2 with 13 knockouts. Chandler, 156 lbs of Deerfield Beach, FL is 23-11.

Bo Nickal stopped Kyle Daukaus in the opening round of their middleweight bout.

In round one, Nickal landed a left and right that dropped Daukaus. Nickal landed four elbows on the ground and the fight was stopped at 4:34.

Nickal, 186 lbs of State College, PA is 9-1 with three stoppages. Daukaus, 186 lbs of Philadelphia is 17-5.

In round one, Daukaus was cut on the forehead from elbows.

Diego Lopes stopped Steven Garcia in the second round of their featherweight bout.

Lopes hurt Garcia with a left hook that put him down and then landed eight punches while Garcia was on the ground and the fight was stopped at 2:42.

Lopes, 146 lbs of Puebla, CO is 28-8. Garcia, 146 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 19-6.

LAS VEGAS – Season 34 of The Ultimate Fighter® is set to premiere this Sunday, June 14 exclusively on Paramount+ with new episodes premiering every Tuesday, beginning on June 16, for the remainder of the 12-episode season.This new season will feature a pair of UFC Hall of Famers competing head-to-head as coaches, as former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier goes up against former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Cormier vs. Team Bispingwill feature 16 men’s bantamweight (135 lbs.) and women’s strawweight (115 lbs.) prospects competing to pursue their UFC dreams.

Produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television, the iconic reality series has introduced a wide array of fans to UFC and served as a springboard for the career of numerous fighters who went on to be UFC champions and stars, including: Kamaru Usman, Tony Ferguson, T.J. Dillashaw, Rose Namajunas, Nate Diaz, Michael Chiesa, Kelvin Gastelum, Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Uriah Hall and Conor McGregor, who was a coach in TUF 22 and TUF 31.

Past seasons of The Ultimate Fighter®will be available on Paramount+ beginning in late May.

Watch UFC on Paramount+.  For more information, including how to watch, visit Sneak Peak on Paramountplus.com.

Visit UFC.com for additional information and content to support your UFC coverage.

* * *

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 266 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 900 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Paris, France – UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, is set to electrify Paris once again with a spectacular night of action at Accor Arena on Saturday, September 5. After a series of sold-out events and unforgettable moments in the French capital, UFC Paris promises an atmosphere and level of competition like no other.

With high demand expected for the event, fans are advised to register their interest early via UFC.com/Paris to secure their tickets in advance.

UFC fans can take their experience to the next level with an exclusive VIP package. Fans can enjoy premium seating, access to a private all-inclusive lounge with food and drinks, opportunities to meet and take photos with UFC athletes, and the unforgettable chance to step inside the iconic UFC Octagon after the event. For more information, fans can visit UFCVIP.com.

With French MMA at an all-time high, two of the country’s biggest stars are set for landmark fights this summer. Heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane challenges Alex Pereira for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC® FREEDOM 250 presented by Crypto.com and RAM Trucks. Gane is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted heavyweights in the promotion’s history. In the lightweight division, Benoit Saint Denis, a former French special forces soldier and fan favourite, takes on Paddy Pimblett at UFC® 329 on July 11, with the No. 5-ranked “God of War” eyeing a statement win over the Liverpudlian.

For the latest announcements and ticket updates, follow @UFCFRA on Twitter and Instagram.

ENDS

About UFC®         
UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

Belgrade, Serbia: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, makes its historic debut in Belgrade as No. 13 ranked welterweight Uros Medicfaces off against No.15 ranked Daniel Rodriguez on Saturday, 1 August, at the Belgrade Arena.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. CEST on Friday, May 29, via tickets.rs. Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets early at 10 a.m. CEST on Wednesday, May 27, whilst those who registered their interest early in this event will gain access at 10 a.m. CEST on Thursday, May 28.

UFC fans can take their experience to the next level with an exclusive VIP package. Fans can enjoy premium seating, access to a private all-inclusive lounge with food and drinks, opportunities to meet and take photos with UFC athletes, and the unforgettable chance to step inside the iconic UFC Octagon® after the event. For more information, fans can visit tickets.rs to view package details.

Making its long-awaited debut in Serbia, UFC descends on Belgrade for a landmark night inside the Octagon. With world-class talent assembled from across the globe, the event is shaping up to be an unmissable night of action.

Uros Medic (13-3-0, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia)steps into the Octagon armed with striking precision that has made him one of the most dangerous finishers in the welterweight division. The ranked contender has put together a string of impressive performances, including consecutive first-round stoppage wins over of Geoff Neal, Gilbert Urbina, and Muslim Salikhov, and arrives in Belgrade hungry to cement his place among the division’s elite.

Daniel Rodriguez (20-5-0, fighting out Alhambra, California) has emerged as a fixture in the welterweight rankings as a result of his crisp, technical boxing and steely approach inside the Octagon. Rodriguez enters on a three-fight winning streak, having most recently bested Kevin Holland at UFC 318, and now he heads to Belgrade looking to secure the biggest win of his career.

Further bouts confirmed for the card:

• Local middleweight and Dana White Contender Series alum Dusko Todorovic (13-6-0, fighting out of Belgrade, Serbia) takes on Robert Valentin (11-6-0, fighting out of Zurich, Switzerland) in front of the home crowd at Belgrade Arena.
• A fixture in the light heavyweight rankings, Aleksandar Raki? (14-6-0, fighting out of Vienna, Austria, by way of Serbia) makes the move up to heavyweight for the first time, facing off with Polish veteran Marcin Tybura (27-11-0, fighting out of ?ód?, Poland).
• Ante Delija (26-8-0, fighting out of Dubrovnik, Croatia) takes on Johnny Walker (22-10-0, 1 NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, by way of Rio das Otras, Brazil) in a heavyweight fight.
• Serbian prospect Jovan Leka (13-2-0, fighting out of Novi Slad, Serbia) makes his UFC debut as he goes head-to-head with Max Gimenis (6-2-0, fighting out Gaithersburg, Marlyand) in a heavyweight clash.
• UFC debutant Vlasto Cepo (14-3-0, fighting out of Novi Sad, Serbia) locks horns with  Gilbert Urbina (7-4-0, fighting out of The Rio Grande Valley, Texas) in a middleweight bout.

For local MMA news, fighter updates, and event announcements, visit mmasavezsrbije.rs or follow @mmasavezsrbije on social media, and follow @UFC for all the latest news and updates.

-ENDS-

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About MMA Federation of Serbia (RSMMAF)

The MMA Federation of Serbia (RSMMAF) is the national governing body for mixed martial arts in the country, uniting thousands of fans and overseeing a network of more than 50 active member clubs. The organization produces high-level national and regional championships annually, developing sports infrastructure and setting the standards for safety and professionalism in the region. Through its diverse activities, the Federation continuously promotes grassroots sport while creating pathways for domestic fighters to reach the global stage — as evidenced by numerous medals at European and World amateur championships. As a full member of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the MMA Federation of Serbia implements education and licensing programmes for officials and coaches, ensuring the legitimacy and continued growth of MMA in Serbia. Headquartered in Belgrade, the Federation actively collaborates with leading global organisations to advance the combat sports industry across the Balkans. For more information, visit mmasavezsrbije.rs and follow the official Federation profiles on Facebook.com/mmasavezsrbije.rs/ and @mmasavezsrbije on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @mma_savez_srbije.

Las Vegas –UFC International Fight Week returns to Las Vegas, headlined by a thrilling rematch that will see former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor collide with former featherweight titleholder Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making. Also, an exciting lightweight contenders’ bout sees No. 5 ranked contender Benoit Saint Denis battle No. 6 Paddy Pimblett.

UFC® 329: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY 2 takes place Saturday, July 11 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Paramount+. The prelims will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC® 329: MCGREGOR vs. HOLLOWAY 2 tickets will go on sale Friday, May 29 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club ® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, May 27 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 28 at 10 a.m. ET. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com. 

UFC VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

McGregor (22-6, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) returns to action for the first time in five years looking for a vintage performance. A devastating striker, he holds thrilling KO wins against Eddie Alvarez, Jose Aldo and Donald Cerrone. McGregor plans to remind fans why he is one of the greatest fighters ever by securing a second victory over Holloway.

Holloway (27-9, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) intends to spoil McGregor’s return with a highlight-reel finish. A former BMF titleholder, he has earned memorable wins against Justin Gaethje, Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ortega. Holloway now looks to even the score by stopping McGregor in emphatic fashion.

Saint Denis (17-3 1NC, fighting out of Paris, France) steps back in the Octagon following an impressive TKO win against Dan Hooker in February.  Currently riding a four-fight win streak, he also holds notable victories over Beneil Dariush, Mauricio Ruffy and Matt Frevola. Saint Denis now plans to finish Pimblett and stake his claim for a title shot.

Pimblett (23-4, fighting out of Liverpool, Merseyside, England) is coming off his Fight of the Year candidate against Justin Gaethje in January. A relentless competitor, he has delivered exciting victories over Michael Chandler, King Green and Tony Ferguson. Pimblett aims to halt Saint Denis’ momentum to crack the lightweight Top 5.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC bantamweight title challenger and No. 4 ranked contender Cory Sandhagen (18-6, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.) runs it back with No. 8 Mario Bautista (17-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.)
• No. 4 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval (17-9, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) looks to halt the momentum of rising No. 6 Lone’er Kavanagh (10-1, fighting out of London, England)
• Freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson (3-0, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) makes his highly anticipated UFC debut against Elisha Ellison (5-2, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.) in a heavyweight tilt
• Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (27-9, fighting out of Sydney, Australia) moves up to light heavyweight to face No. 13 ranked contender Nikita Krylov (31-11, fighting out of Kislovodsk, Russia)
• Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (15-7, fighting out of Uhrichsville, Ohio) collides with Adrian Yanez (17-6-1, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a battle at 135-pounds
• No. 8 ranked flyweight contender Tracy Cortez (12-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) squares off with No. 12 Wang Cong (9-1, fighting out of Liaoning Province, China)
• Damian Pinas (9-1, fighting out of Aruba) takes on Cesar Almeida (7-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a middleweight bout
• Undefeated Luke Riley (13-0. Fighting out of Liverpool, England) meets Kai Kamaka III (15-7-1, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) at featherweight
• Ryan Gandra (9-1, fighting out of Betim, Brazil) locks horns with Zachary Reese (10-3 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas by way of Shiner, Texas) in a middleweight clash
• Ode Osbourne (13-9 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Milwaukee, Wisc.) faces Cody Durden (18-10-1, fighting out of Covington, Ga.) at flyweight

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About T-Mobile Arena

T-Mobile Arena, the 20,000-seat venue located on the Las Vegas Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York, opened April 6, 2016. The arena hosts more than 100 events annually including major headline entertainment, awards shows, UFC, boxing, basketball and other sporting events, family shows and special events. T-Mobile Arena also is the home of the Vegas Golden Knights, a National Hockey League expansion team and the city’s first professional sports team, as well as UFC’s exclusive Las Vegas arena destination. The venue, named the No. 1 venue on Billboard Magazine’s 2018 Arena Power List as well as the “Best New Major Concert Venue” by Pollstar Magazine in 2016, features 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes, complete broadcast facilities, and other specially designed exclusive hospitality offerings and fan amenities destined to create a guest experience second to none. Toshiba Plaza, an adjacent two-acre outdoor entertainment space, features performance stages, a variety of video screens and other interactive content and display areas. Designed and built to prioritize environmental sustainability, T-Mobile Arena was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2016. T-Mobile Arena is a privately funded joint venture between AEG and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information, visit T-MobileArena.com or follow on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Meta APEX on June 20 with an entertaining card headlined by a must-see rematch between No. 2 ranked UFC flyweight contender Manel Kapeand No. 5 ranked Kyoji Horiguchi. Also on the card, No. 15 ranked UFC bantamweight contender Farid Basharatmeets rising Ethyn Ewing.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: KAPE vs. HORIGUCHI takes place Saturday, June 20 in Las Vegas. The prelims will air at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: KAPE vs. HORIGUCHI will go on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets on Wednesday, May 20 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m. PT. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Meta APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Kape (22-7, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) aims to deliver another bonus-earning performance. Known for highlight-reel finishes, Kape has entertained fans in victories over Brandon Royval, Asu Almabayev and Bruno Silva. He now intends to even the score with Horiguchi and secure his first UFC title opportunity.

Former UFC title challenger Horiguchi (36-5 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Gunma, Japan) looks to remain undefeated in his second tenure with the promotion. A well-rounded competitor, he has climbed back into the division Top 5 with definitive wins over Amir Albazi and Tagir Ulanbekov. Horiguchi now plans to secure his biggest victory yet with another finish over Kape.  

Undefeated Basharat (15-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Paktia, Afghanistan) steps back into the Octagon for the second time in 2026. A signee from Season 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series, Basharat has proven himself as a rising talent with victories over Jean Matsumoto, Chris Gutierrez and Victor Hugo. He now has his sights set on retaining his perfect record by beating Ewing in dominant fashion.

Ewing (10-2, fighting out of Yorba Linda, Calif.) seeks to keep his momentum going by taking out his third undefeated opponent in a row. A talented striker, Ewing burst onto the UFC scene with notable performances over Malcolm Wellmaker and Rafael Estevam. He now aims to deliver his best showing yet and break into the Top 15 rankings

Additional bouts include:

• No. 10 ranked UFC bantamweight contender Karol Rosa (19-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to defend her spot in the rankings against No. 14 Luana Santos (10-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Heavyweight contenders collide as Jhonata Diniz (9-2, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) faces UFC newcomer Jose Montanha (6-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
• No. 15 ranked UFC bantamweight contender Bia Mesquita (7-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) aims to remain undefeated when she takes on Melissa Mullins (7-2, fighting out of Oxford, England)
• Light heavyweight action sees Ion Cutelaba (20-11-1 1NC, fighting out of Chisinau, Moldova) battle rising prospect Navajo Stirling (9-0, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand)
• Undefeated flyweight Andre Lima (11-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) looks to make a statement against Kevin Borjas (10-5, fighting out of Lima, Peru)
• Gaston Bolanos(8-5, fighting out of Dublin, Calif. by way of Lima, Peru) and Michael Aswell (11-4, fighting out of Houston, Texas) go toe-to-toe at featherweight
• An exciting featherweight bout pits Hyder Amil (11-2, fighting out of San Rafael, Calif.) against Christian Rodriguez (12-4, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.)
• Allan Nascimento (22-6, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Mitch Raposo (10-3, fighting out of Fall River, Mass.) clash in a flyweight bout
• Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-3, fighting out of Glendale, Calif.) plans to spoil the UFC debut of undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Murtazali Magomedov (10-0, fighting out of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, together with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), announces its highly anticipated return to the region with UFC® FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI on Saturday, 25th July 2026, live from Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

UFC® FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI tickets will go on sale soon. Fans are encouraged to register their interest early for the best chance to secure tickets via VisitAbuDhabi.ae, where exclusive hotel and ticket packages for traveling fans will also be available.

Full details on the fight card will be revealed in the coming weeks. With a reputation for delivering standout matchups and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else, Abu Dhabi is once again gearing up for an unmissable night inside the Octagon®.

This latest Fight Night event continues UFC and Abu Dhabi’s longstanding partnership dating back to 2010. In recent years, the emirate hosted the global sporting phenomena that was Fight Island during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since cemented its place as one of UFC’s most electrifying destinations. Last year, UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER in July packed out Etihad Arena with a thrilling middleweight clash, while UFC® 321: ASPINALL vs. GANE in October brought a clash of heavyweight contenders during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.

Through its collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi, UFC continues to expand its global network of government and private partnerships, bringing marquee live events to communities worldwide, growing its fanbase and delivering economic and cultural impact.

For further information on UFC® FIGHT NIGHT ABU DHABI and the latest updates, please visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries.

DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.

For more information about DCT Abu Dhabi and the destination, please visit tcaabudhabi.ae and visitabudhabi.ae. For Abu Dhabi Calendar, please visit inabudhabi.ae.

Baku, Azerbaijan: UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to Baku with a thrilling lightweight bout as No. 9 ranked lightweight Rafael Fizievtakes on No. 14 ranked knockout star Manuel Torres on Saturday, 27 June, at the National Gymnastics Arena.

Tickets for UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: FIZIEV vs TORRES go on sale at 10 a.m. AZT/7 a.m. BST on Friday, May 15 via iTicket. Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets early at 10 a.m. AZT/7 a.m. BST on Wednesday, May 13, whilst those who registered their interest early in this event will gain access at 10 a.m. AZT/7 a.m. BST on Thursday, May 14.

Following a successful debut event in 2025, UFC returns with all the action to Baku, bringing combat sports fans another high stakes showdown inside the Octagon®. With elite athletes from across the globe, the night is gearing up to be a must-see event for both longtime and new UFC fans in the region.

Fan favourite Fiziev (13-5, out of Phuket, Thailand) returns to action with his explosive striking and elite Muay Thai knockout power. The lightweight contender boasts memorable finishes over Rafael Dos Anjos and Brad Riddell. After a unanimous decision win over Ignacio Bahamondes in Baku last June, the No. 9-ranked lightweight looks to thrill the crowd in Azerbaijan once more.

Torres (17-3, fighting out of Ciudad Madera, Chihuahua, Mexico) has quickly established himself as a standout contender, having ended 16 of his 17 wins in the first round. Torres earned a Fight Night bonus in all five of his UFC wins, delivering highlight-reel stoppages over Grant Dawson, Drew Dober and Nikolas Motta, he looks to continue his rise in the lightweight ranks.  

In the co-main event, knockout artist Shara Magomedov (16-1, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) faces Michel Pereira (32-14, 2 NC fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a high-energy middleweight clash. Both athletes are known for their unorthodox striking styles, promising to make this one of the most entertaining bouts of the night.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Hometown hero Nazim Sadykhov (11-2-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, by way of Baku, Azerbaijan) locks horns with Matheus Camilo (10-3-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a lightweight bout.
• In the flyweight division, Asu Almabayev (23-3, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) meets Charles Johnson (19-8, fighting out of Orlando, Florida) in a clash of ranked contenders.
• Middleweight contenders collide as Ikram Aliskerov(17-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) meets Brunno Ferreira (15-3, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil).
• Abus Magomedov (28-7-1, fighting out of Düsseldorf, Germany) faces Michal Oleksiejczuk(22-9,1 NC  fighting out of Barki, Poland) in a middleweight bout.
• Undefeated light heavyweightAdul Rakhman Yakhyaev(9-0, fighting out of Turkey) looks to keep his perfect record intact againstJulius Walker(7-2, fighting out of Springfield, Missouri).
• UFC debutant Farman Hasanov (5-0, fighting out of Baku, Azerbaijan) takes on Eric Nolan (8-4, fighting out of Edison, New Jersey) in a welterweight bout.
• Ismail Naurdiev (25-8, fighting out of Rabat, Morocco) will take on Marvin Vettori (19-9-1, fighting out of Mezzocorona, Italy) in a middleweight matchup.
• Another middleweight bout sees Nursulton Ruziboev (36-9-2, 2 NC fighting out of Tashkent, Uzbekistan) face Andrey Pulyaev (10-3, fighting out of Novosibirsk, Russia).
• In the welterweight division, Daniil Donchenko (14-2, fighting out of Korosten, Ukraine) takes on Andreas Gustafsson (12-3, fighting out of Gävle, Sweden).
• Bantamweights Bekzat Almakhan(12-3, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) and Jean Matsumoto (17-2, fighting out of Braganca Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) meet in a high-paced showdown.

With UFC’s history of sellout events, fans are advised to register their interest early at ufc.com/Baku to secure their seats for this highly anticipated event and to follow @UFC on social media for the latest updates.

-ENDS-

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to more than 1 billion broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Modern Wing’ as a member of the Class of 2026. The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 9, as part of the 14^th Annual UFC International Fight Week. 

“Chris Weidman is one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Chris consistently competed against the best athletes in the world during his career, and his victories over Anderson Silva changed the landscape of the middleweight division forever. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”  

Weidman will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 19^th member of the Modern Wing. The Modern Era category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000, when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held. Other requirements include a minimum age of 35 or those who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 24 fights during his 15-year MMA career, Weidman registered a 16-8 (12-8, UFC), record, securing victories over UFC Hall of Famers Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort and Kelvin Gastelum (Fight Wing), as well as former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida. 

Weidman made his professional MMA debut on February 20, 2009, winning each of his first four fights in Ring of Combat before signing with UFC.

Weidman made his UFC debut on the main card of UFC LIVE: SANCHEZ vs. KAMPMANN, which took place on March 3, 2011, at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. He would defeat his opponent, Alessio Sakara, via unanimous decision to launch his career inside the Octagon. 

Weidman would win his next four fights to earn a title shot against then-middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 162.

UFC^® 162: SILVA vs. WEIDMAN took place on July 6, 2013, at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  Both Silva and Weidman entered the match on impressive winning streaks of 17 and 9, respectively. Having won 16 fights with UFC and 10 title defenses, Silva was aiming to secure a new record of most consecutive title defenses with a victory over Weidman.

Weidman took control of the first round early with a takedown 30 seconds into the match with Silva countering from his back. Weidman continued landing shots from top position, but Silva reversed his heel hook position with two minutes remaining. Weidman and Silva would trade punches in the center of the Octagon for the remainder of the round, with Silva taunting Weidman with his hands on his hips to excite the crowd.

Silva continued to taunt Weidman at the beginning of the second round, evading his punches and takedown attempts. With 3:46 remaining Weidman threw a flurry of punches, connecting on a left hook that knocked out Silva and ended the fight. 

Weidman’s KO victory over Silva is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history as Silva, then the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, was as one of MMA’s biggest stars.

Weidman and Silva would meet five months later for a rematch at UFC^® 168: WEIDMAN vs. SILVA 2, which took place on December 28, 2013, at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Weidman would win the rematch and defend the middleweight title after Silva broke his leg landing a kick to Weidman’s shin. 

Weidman would defend the middleweight title by winning his next two fights over Machida and Belfort, before losing his first fight to former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in the co-main event of UFC 194 on December 12, 2015.

Over the next eight years, Weidman would compete in 11 more bouts against the top ranked middleweights in the world, before retiring in December 2024 after a loss to Eryk Anders at UFC 310.

Outside the Octagon, Weidman has been honored with numerous awards throughout his career, receiving Breakthrough Fighter of the Year in 2012 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards and Fighter of the Year in 2013 by Yahoo! Sports, MMA Junkie and the Fighters Only World MMA Awards.

A native of Baldwin, New York, Weidman began wrestling at a young age and became a New York state wrestling champion while attending Baldwin Senior High School. Following high school, Weidman earned NJCAA All-America honors at Nassau Community College in 2004 and 2005, before transferring to Hofstra. At Hofstra, he continued to thrive, becoming a two-time NCAA All-American in 2006 and 2007. Weidman currently serves as an analyst / commentator for UFC events broadcast on Paramount+.

To view Weidman’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/34821

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

Las Vegas – UFC today announced that longtime UFC writer and editorial director, Thomas Gerbasi, has been named to the UFC Hall of Fame class for 2026 as a Contributor. The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 9, as part of the 14^th Annual UFC International Fight Week.

“Tom was a close member of the UFC family and a very talented writer,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White.

If you’ve ever read anything at all on UFC.com, the UFC print magazine, or any number of official books on UFC, you’ve read the writing of Thomas Gerbasi. For almost two decades, Tom served as editorial director, head writer, and company historian for UFC, recording, reporting, and telling the tale of the world’s greatest sports organization as it unfolded in real time.

A proud native New Yorker, Gerbasi graduated from St. John’s University and celebrated his life-long love of boxing in early web publications like HouseOfBoxing.com and MaxBoxing.com, where he quickly became recognized as an authority in the sport. 

In 2024, he was honored with the Nat Fleischer Award for excellence in boxing journalism from the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2022, he was inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame for his work as a journalist covering the sport. His final book Boxing: The 100 Greatest Fighters, was released in September 2025.

His acumen in boxing and combat sports eventually caught the eye of UFC, where he would transfer his massive knowledge and immense credibility to the world of mixed martial arts. He authored several of the definitive works on the company, including UFC: A Visual History; The UFC Encyclopedia; and The Official UFC Fan Guide. He diligently kept meticulous biographies of every fighter and was recognized as the utmost authority both inside and outside of UFC.

But arguably his biggest journalistic contribution was to UFC’s website, a place where week after week, month after month, and year after year, he told the stories of the men and women who stepped into the Octagon. He was guided by the mantra “tell the stories that only we can tell,” and demanded that his team do the same. Giving as much credence to a young new fighter on the early prelims as he did the most decorated of champions, Gerbasi’s words introduced the world to thousands of MMA athletes. He spent his days talking to each and every member of the UFC roster, who implicitly trusted him to tell their diverse and inspiring stories. 

Beyond the printed and digital media domains, Gerbasi’s contributions extended to the entire UFC organization, making his impact in departments as varied as public relations, creative, live production, and broadcast. In short, anytime strong, credible copy about UFC was needed, Tom was the guy.

In addition to his own books and his invaluable contributions to UFC, Gerbasi’s work appeared in myriad publications, including The Ring Magazine, The Village Voice, The Independent, The Boston Herald, King, Uppercut, Women’s Boxing World, Boxing News, ESPN.com, and countless others.

Outside of combat sports, Gerbasi was an avowed family man, caring for his wife, daughter, and two young granddaughters daily. He played goalie in an organized soccer league on Sundays and ran numerous marathons in his spare time. He loved music and celebrated great cuisine.

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

Las Vegas – UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, in partnership with Paycom Center and Visit Oklahoma City, today announced UFC’s return to Oklahoma City on Saturday, July 18. 

UFC® FIGHT NIGHT OKLAHOMA CITY looks to deliver a can’t-miss card filled with thrilling matchups featuring some of UFC’s biggest stars, top contenders and rising prospects. Fans in Oklahoma can expect a night of excitement and entertainment as UFC continues to bring the best in mixed martial arts to cities around the world.

“We are thrilled to return to an incredible destination like Oklahoma City,” said UFC Executive Vice President of Event Development Peter Dropick. “Thank you to Paycom Center and Visit OKC for their continued partnership and we look forward to delivering a great event this July.”

“We are honored to host the first UFC event in Oklahoma in nearly 10 years,” said Paycom Center General Manager, Chris Semrau. “The community has been asking for this kind of event for years, and we’re very excited to finally bring the highest level of MMA back to Oklahoma City. This will surely be one of the major events of the summer for the region.”

“Visit Oklahoma City is beyond excited for the return of the UFC to our market after many years,” said Visit OKC Vice President of Sports Development, Adam Wisniewski. “Our city takes pride in hosting the country’s most premier sporting events, and bringing another UFC Fight Night is something we are very much looking forward to adding to Oklahoma City’s resume. We can hardly wait to welcome thousands of fans to Oklahoma City and to assist in producing an event our city will talk about for years to come!”

UFC® FIGHT NIGHT OKLAHOMA CITY marks the first UFC event in the region since UFC FIGHT NIGHT: CHIESA vs LEEon June 25, 2017 and will be the third overall event in Oklahoma City in UFC history, as it also hosted UFC FIGHT NIGHT: DIAZ vs GUILLARD on September 16, 2009.

UFC’s return to Oklahoma City is part of TKO’s expanding network of partnerships with government and private stakeholders around the world who are eager to host UFC’s marquee live events, generating meaningful economic and cultural impact and delivering memorable experiences for fans.

Ticket information will be announced soon. With UFC’s history of sellout events, fans are advised to register their interest early at ufc.com/OKC to secure their seats for this highly anticipated event.

– ENDS –

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 363 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to an estimated 1 billion broadcast and digital households across 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paycom Center

Paycom Center is Oklahoma City’s premier entertainment facility and home to NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Consistently listed on Pollstar’s Top Arenas Worldwide, the venue hosts numerous concerts, family shows, and sporting events creating memories for thousands of guests each year. Paycom Center is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and managed by Legends Global, the premier venue management and services company. For more information and a full list of events, visit http://www.paycomcenter.com. 

About the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is the region’s vision-setting organization and drives economic growth and vitality by uniting business leaders to foster collaboration, belonging and regional prosperity. For more than 100 years, the Chamber has served as the voice of the Oklahoma City business community, supporting its members and the region through economic development, education, government relations and promotion of Oklahoma City as a premier visitor destination. The Chamber’s family of brands includes Visit Oklahoma City, the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, OKC Sports, Team OKC, Life Science Oklahoma and OKC Film and Creative Industries.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Meta APEX on June 6 with a stacked card filled with fun fights and headlined by a can’t-miss main event featuring former UFC welterweight world champion and No. 4 ranked contender Belal Muhammadas he faces off with rising No. 10 ranked Gabriel Bonfim. Also on the card, No. 4 ranked middleweight contender Brendan Allenmeets Edmen Shahbazyan.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MUHAMMAD vs. BONFIM takes place Saturday, June 6 in Las Vegas. The prelims will air at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MUHAMMAD vs. BONFIM will go on sale Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets on Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, April 23 at 10 a.m. PT. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Meta APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Muhammad (24-5 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) returns to action looking to build momentum for another shot at UFC gold. A well-rounded competitor, Muhammad rose through the welterweight ranks with wins over Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns before defeating then-champion Leon Edwards. He now looks to take out Bonfim in dominant fashion.

Surging Bonfim (19-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) aims to deliver another impressive UFC main event showing. A signee from season six of Dana White’s Contender Series, he holds recent wins over Randy Brown, Stephen Thompson and Khaos Williams. Bonfim now intends to break into the Top 5 by defeating the former champion.  

Perennial contender Allen (26-7, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) steps back into the Octagon chasing another highlight finish. Currently tied for third-most submissions in UFC middleweight history with six, Allen has shown off his skills in performances over Paul Craig, Bruno Silva and Andre Muniz. He now has his sights set on adding Shahbazyan to his resume and turning his attention towards the top of the division.  

Shahbazyan (16-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) seeks to extend his current three-fight win streak and secure the biggest win of his career. A high-paced finisher, he has ended 13 of his 16 wins by knockout including those over Andre Muniz, Dylan Budka and AJ Dobson. Shahbazyan now looks to make it four wins in a row with a statement performance.

Additional bouts include:

• An intriguing bantamweight bout pits Bryce Mitchell (18-4, fighting out of Searcy, Ark.) against Victor Henry (25-7 1NC, fighting out of Southgate, Calif.)
• No. 15 ranked UFC lightweight contender Fares Ziam (18-4, fighting out of Lyon, France) battles Tom Nolan (10-1, fighting out of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) in a high-stakes contest
• Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Iwo Baraniewski (8-0, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) looks for another highlight-reel finish as he faces Billy Elekana (10-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
• Flyweight standout Imanol Rodriguez (7-0, fighting out of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico) makes his second Octagon appearance of 2026 when he squares off with veteran Matt Schnell (17-10 1NC, fighting out of Shreveport, Lou.)
• Marcus McGhee(10-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) faces Jakub Wiklacz (18-3-2, fighting out of Poznan, Poland) in a bantamweight contest
• An exciting flyweight bout sees No. 15 ranked contender Bruno Silva (15-8-2 1NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) defend his spot in the rankings against Edgar Chairez (13-6 1NC, fighting out of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico)
• Always-entertaining Jordan Leavitt (13-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets Joanderson Brito (18-5-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a can’t-miss featherweight tilt
• Ketlen Souza (16-6, fighting out of Manaus, Brazil) and Ariane Carnelossi (15-4, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) compete at strawweight
• A women’s bantamweight bout features Priscila Cachoeira (13-8, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Chelsea Chandler (6-4, fighting out of Stockton, Calif.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Jeisla Chaves (6-0, fighting out of Bahia, Brazil) makes her UFC debut against Yuneisy Duben (6-1 1NC, fighting out of Provincia de Lima, Peru) at flyweight

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Las Vegas – UFC® announced today it will return to Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, August 15 for UFC® 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. UFC President and CEO Dana White and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pat McAfee, a native of Pennsylvania, on his show to make the announcement. The soon-to-be-announced fight card will be exclusively available on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Latin America. Ticket information for UFC® 330 will be announced in the coming weeks.

For the first time in fifteen years, UFC® returns to Xfinity Mobile Arena with a championship bout. The organization last brought a numbered card to the venue on August 6, 2011, when UFC® 133, at the then named Wells Fargo Center, was headlined by Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. The city last hosted a UFC Fight Night event on March 30, 2019, where Justin Gaethje knocked out Edson Barboza for Fight of the Night honors.

UFC® 330 adds to the list of major events that the state of Pennsylvania will host this year, which includes the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the PGA Championship in Newtown Square and FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia is hosting some of the biggest sporting events this year as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “It’s been fifteen years since the UFC brought a numbered event to the city, so now is the perfect time to go back. Philadelphia has always been a great fight town, and I can’t wait to return.”

“Pennsylvania is thrilled to host UFC 330 in Philadelphia, the first time a championship bout is coming back to the Commonwealth in fifteen years,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “This is a huge year for Pennsylvania – all eyes are on the Commonwealth as we celebrate America 250 and host some of the biggest sporting events in the world in the place where it all started. From UFC and March Madness to the FIFA World Cup and the NFL Draft, we’re excited to host world class sporting events that will bring with them incredible opportunities for our businesses, our communities, and our fans. The Commonwealth is all in and we look forward to welcoming UFC back to Pennsylvania.”

“In a year when the eyes of the world will be on Philadelphia, we are proud to welcome the UFC back to Xfinity Mobile Arena,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor, “This is a city defined by its underdog mentality, its fighting spirit, and its championship pedigree. There is perhaps no more fitting stage for UFC 330 in 2026, and we are honored to be part of bringing this historic event to Philadelphia.”

UFC’s return to Philadelphia is part of a growing number of partnerships between TKO and government and private partners in communities around the world that are eager to host UFC’s marquee live events. Through these partnerships, UFC is reaching more fans in more markets, delivering memorable experiences while generating meaningful economic and cultural impact for host communities. Today’s announcement is one of a number of these partnerships expected in 2026.

Fans looking to be the first to know how to secure tickets can register now at UFC.com/Philly.

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event as a media member.

###

About UFC® 

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 353  million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to more than 950 million broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. 

About Xfinity Mobile Arena

Xfinity Mobile Arena, owned and operated by Comcast Spectacor, is Philadelphia’s home for sports and entertainment. In addition to hosting the top touring musical acts, family shows and other entertainment, the arena’s main tenants include the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and Villanova Men’s Basketball. After the completion of its multi-year $400 million+ transformation, every inch of the venue has been completely reimagined. The project produced full upgrades and overhauls to the fan experience, technology, food and beverage, seating options, sightlines, performer amenities and sustainability.  

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com. 

LAS VEGAS (April 9, 2026) – The Ultimate Fighter^®returns with a thrilling new season featuring a pair of UFC Hall of Famers competing head-to-head as coaches, when former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier goes up against former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping. The series will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America and Australia on Sunday, June 14, the same day as UFC Freedom 250, with new episodes premiering every Tuesday for the remainder of the 12-episode season.

The Ultimate Fighter®: Team Cormier vs. Team Bispingwill feature 16 men’s bantamweight (135 lbs.) and women’s strawweight (115 lbs.) prospects competing to pursue their UFC dreams.

Produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television, the iconic reality series has introduced a wide array of fans to UFC and served as a springboard for the career of numerous fighters who went on to be UFC champions and stars, including: Kamaru Usman, Tony Ferguson, T.J. Dillashaw, Rose Namajunas, Nate Diaz, Michael Chiesa, Kelvin Gastelum, Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Uriah Hall and Conor McGregor, who was a coach in TUF 22 and TUF 31.

One of four athletes to ever hold two UFC titles simultaneously, Cormier intends to make a statement in his third time coaching on The Ultimate Fighter following his debut on Season 27. He will look to impart the skills and experience that earned him notable victories over Stipe Miocic, Anderson Silva and Alexander Gustaffson. Cormier now has his sights set on shutting out Bisping as a coach in dominant fashion.

The Ultimate Fighter season 3 winner, Bisping returns for a third time to coach on the show that helped forge him into a UFC champion and Hall of Famer. Making his coaching debut on Season 14, Bisping now looks to once again impart the trademark grit and high fight IQ that earned him memorable victories over Anderson Silva, Luke Rockhold, and Dan Henderson. He now aims to out coach Cormier and lead his team to victory.

Past seasons of The Ultimate Fighter®will be available on Paramount+ beginning in late May. 

Watch UFC on Paramount+.  For more information, including how to watch, visit Sneak Peak on Paramountplus.com.

Visit UFC.com for additional information and content to support your UFC coverage.

* * *

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 266 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 900 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that the 14^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^™ will take place in Las Vegas from Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12, headlined by UFC^® 329 with events taking place throughout the city at venues including Resorts World Las Vegas, T-Mobile Arena, and select MGM Resorts International properties.

UFC International Fight Week, the organization’s week-long celebration of combat sports, will be highlighted by the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and anchored by UFC^® 329, which takes place on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena.

The prestigious 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, held annually as part of International Fight Week, honors the contributors and athletes who helped shape UFC while leaving an indelible mark on the sport of mixed martial arts. The UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 9, at T-Mobile Arena. 

Fans from around the world who attend International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy the activities of a traditional Fight Week, including ceremonial weigh-ins and press conferences, leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC^® 329, on Saturday, July 11, at T-Mobile Arena.

Rounding out the action?packed weekend are two incredible event nights, beginning with Power Slap —the world’s leading slap fighting promotion — on Friday, July 10, followed by the newly-launched Zuffa Boxing on Sunday, July 12, delivering non-stop must-see events for three consecutive nights. 

UFC fans can also enter for their chance to win an unforgettable UFC Dream Week travel package for International Fight Week. One lucky winner and a guest will win a one-of-a-kind VIP experience that includes premium tickets to UFC^® 329, the UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Power Slap, and Zuffa Boxing, as well as airfare and hotel accommodations. To learn more and enter, please visit www.ufc.com/dreamweek.  

Details regarding the fight card for UFC^® 329, as well as event locations and additional activities for UFC International Fight Week will be announced at a later date. For more information, please visit www.ufc.com/ifw. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as a member of the Class of 2026. The 2026 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place this summer.

“Demetrious Johnson is the greatest flyweight of all-time,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Demetrious was a great champion who had one of the most incredible careers in MMA, and his streak of 11 consecutive title defenses is one of the most remarkable records we’ve ever seen in professional sports. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Johnson will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 18^th member of the Modern Wing. The Modern Era category includes athletes who turned pro on or after November 17, 2000, when the first UFC event under the unified rules of MMA was held. Other requirements include a minimum age of 35 or those who have been retired for one year or more.
A veteran of 30 fights during his 14-year MMA career, Johnson compiled a record of 25-4,1 Draw (17-3,1 Draw – UFC / WEC), securing victories over former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres, former RIZIN flyweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi, former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo, and former Pancrase flyweight tournament winner Yuya Wakamatsu.

After winning his first nine (9) amateur MMA fights with various promotions, Johnson made his professional debut on August 15, 2009, securing his first win via submission at King of the Cage: Thunderstruck. He would then join Alaska Fighting Championship and win his next two fights before joining WEC^®. 

Johnson made his WEC debut on the prelims of WEC^® 48: ALDO vs. FABER, which took place on April 24, 2010, at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. He would lose his debut to Brad Pickett via decision but bounce back to win his next four fights across WEC / UFC to earn his first title shot against then-champion Dominick Cruz.

Johnson faced Cruz in the main event of UFC LIVE: CRUZ vs. JOHNSON, which took place on October 1, 2011, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Cruz would retain his title by defeating Johnson via unanimous decision. 

After competing to a draw against Ian McCall in his next fight, Johnson would rebound in his rematch with McCall by defeating him via unanimous decision. With the win, Johnson advanced to face Joseph Benavidez in the UFC flyweight tournament finale at UFC 152. 

UFC^® 152: JONES vs. BELFORT took place on September 22, 2012, at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Johnson faced Benavidez in the co-main event, capturing the split decision victory and becoming the inaugural UFC flyweight champion.

As UFC flyweight champion, Johnson would embark on a record-breaking winning streak, securing 11 consecutive victories and title defenses over the next four years, securing his place on the list of greatest MMA athletes in history.

On August 4, 2018, Johnson would lose his first fight in five years via split decision to Henry Cejudo in the co-main event of UFC^®227: DILLASHAW vs. GARBRANDT 2.

Following his loss, he would leave UFC and sign with ONE Championship, an MMA promotion based in Singapore. He would win five of his next six fights with ONE, capturing the flyweight world grand prix title and becoming the organization’s flyweight champion with one successful defense. He retired on May 5, 2023, and vacating the title after a successful defense.  

Johnson enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:

UFC:

• Longest title reign in UFC flyweight history – 2,142 days (Second-longest in UFC history) 
• Longest consecutive fight winning streak in UFC flyweight history – 13
• Most title fight wins in UFC flyweight history – 12 (Third-most in UFC history)
• Most top position time in UFC flyweight history – 1:05:52
• Recorded 1 of 3 performances in UFC history with 100% takedown accuracy (min. 10 attempts)
• Highest significant strike accuracy percentage in UFC flyweight history – 57.2%
• Highest significant strike defense percentage in UFC flyweight history – 68.4% 
• Tied for second-most wins in UFC flyweight history – 13 
• Tied for second-most finished in UFC flyweight history – 7
• Third-most significant strikes landed in UFC flyweight history – 1,059 

Johnson has been won with numerous awards during his career, such as Fighter of the Year in 2013 by FOX Sports and again in 2017 by ESPN and Sports Illustrated. He also captured Submission of the Year honors in 2017 from the Fighters Only World MMA Awards, ESPN, and MMA Fighting.

A native of Parkland, Washington, Johnson excelled in wrestling at Washington High School, placing second and third in the state during his junior and senior seasons. After high school, Johnson trained MMA as a hobby before competing as an amateur on the Washington regional circuit. Johnson is an avid gamer and jiu-jitsu practitioner, competing in the IBJJF Master World and Pan Championships. He currently lives in Washington, with his wife and children.

To view Johnson’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/34822

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Las Vegas, Nevada with a thrilling contest that sees former UFC bantamweight champion and current No. 5 ranked featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling take on No. 7 Youssef Zalal. Also on the card, top ranked bantamweights No. 3 Norma Dumont takes on No. 11 ranked contender Joselyne Edwards.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: STERLING vs ZALAL takes place Saturday, April 25^th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The prelims will air at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET. All bouts will stream live onParamount+.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: STERLING vs ZALAL tickets will go on sale Friday, March 27 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at AXS.com.Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 25 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 26 starting at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Meta APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Sterling (25-5, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) makes his first appearance of the 2026 season looking to make a statement. A former UFC bantamweight champion, Sterling has etched his name in the history books by dominating and defeating impressive names such as Henry Cejudo, T.J. Dillashaw, and Brian Ortega. He now looks to halt Zalal’s momentum and further his goal of capturing a second division title.

Zalal (18-5-1, fighting out of Casablanca, Morocco by way of Englewood, Colo.) looks to deliver a shutout performance. Since stepping inside the Octagon, Zalal has earned his spot in the rankings by delivering strong wins against Josh Emmett, Calvin Kattar, and Jack Shore. Zalal now sets his sights on Sterling as he plans to secure the biggest win of his career and take out a former champion.

Dumont (13-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) returns to action aiming to steal the show. The Brazilian has made a name for herself across two divisions by taking out noteworthy opponents including former champion Germaine de Randamie, Irene Aldana, and Ketlen Vieira. She now looks to further solidify her spot in the top of the 135-pounds rankings by defeating rising contender Edwards.

Edwards (17-6, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) sets out to secure a fifth straight victory. Joining the UFC when she was 26 years old, Edwards has grown into a full-fledged veteran and fierce competitor, delivering finishes against Nora Cornolle, Priscila Cachoeira, and Chelsea Chandler. Edwards now turns her attention to Dumont as she looks to deliver another highlight finish and break into the division’s Top 5.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Talita Alencar(7-1-1, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Carutapera, Maranhão, Brazil) and Julia Polastri(14-5, fighting out of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) face off in an all-Brazilian clash between Dana White’s Contender Series graduates in the strawweight division
• Middleweights Rodolfo Vieira(11-4, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) and Eric McConico(10-4-1, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) compete in a preliminary card matchup
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners Jafel Filho(17-4, fighting out of Sento Sé, Bahia, Brazil) and Lucas Rocha(18-2, fighting out of Coari, Amazonas, Brazil) lock horns at flyweight
• All-action bantamweights No. 14 Montel Jackson(15-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Raoni Barcelos(21-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) face off
• A pivotal bantamweight bout sees former title challengerand No. 12 ranked Mayra Bueno Silva(10-6-1, fighting out of Uberlandia, Minas Gerias, Brazil) and Michelle Montague(7-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Matamata, New Zealand) collide
• Fireworks are expected when heavyweight Allen Frye Jr.(6-1, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) battles Max Gimenis(6-2, fighting out of Gaithersburg, Maryland)
• Exciting bantamweights Davey Grant (17-8, fighting out of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England) and Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Adrian Luna Martinetti (17-1, fighting out of Guayaquil, Ecuador) go toe-to-toe
• A middleweight tilt sees Jackson McVey(6-2, fighting out of St. Charles, Mo.) face off against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Sedriques Dumas(10-4 1 NC, fighting out of Pensacola, Fla.)

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

Visit the How to Watch UFC Fight Nightpageon Paramount+.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com. 

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. with one of the most stacked events of the year, capped off by a pair of all-action title fights. In the main event, a thrilling contest sees former UFC light heavyweight title holder and current No. 2 ranked contender Ji?í Procházka square off with No. 3 ranked Carlos Ulberg for the vacant, undisputed UFC light heavyweight championship. In the co-main event, UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van makes his first title defense against No. 3 ranked contender Tatsuro Taira.

UFC 327®: PROCHÁZKA vs ULBERG takes place Saturday, April 11th in Miami, Florida at Kaseya Center. The prelims will air at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+. Additionally, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, the final two prelims and first two bouts of the main card will air on CBS.

UFC 327®: PROCHÁZKA vs ULBERG tickets are on sale and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.

Procházka (32-5-1, fighting out of Brno, Czech Republic) returns to the Octagon with his sights set on reclaiming the light heavyweight crown. A fan favorite for his all-action fighting style, Procházka holds notable wins over some of the division’s best, including as Jamahal Hill, Dominick Reyes, and Khalil Rountree Jr. He now looks to add Ulberg to his impressive resume and raise UFC gold once again.

Ulberg (14-1, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) looks to secure the biggest win of his career and capture the UFC light heavyweight title. Since breaking into the UFC, the New Zealand native has earned his spot in the Top 5 on the strength of a nine-fight winning streak that includes impressive wins over Dominick Reyes, Alonzo Menifield, and former champion Jan B?achowicz. Ulberg now aims to etch his name into the history books with a dominant win over Procházka.

Van (16-2, fighting out of Houston, Texas) sets forth for his first title defense. Claiming the UFC flyweight title just two years into his Octagon career, Van rocketed through the 125-pound division by delivering statement victories over Brandon Royval, Bruno Silva and Cody Durden. He now looks to solidify his reign by defeating Taira in dominant fashion.

Taira (18-1, fighting out of Okinawa, Japan) heads down to the 305 seeking his first world title. At 26-years-old, the young prospect has amassed a near-perfect resume that includes finishes over former UFC champion Brandon Moreno, Hyun Sung Park and Alex Perez. Taira now sets his sights on Van as he looks to make history and become the first ever Japanese-born UFC champion of the modern era.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 4 ranked UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes (19–5 1NC, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) defends his Top 5 status against Dana White Contender Series alumni Josh Hokit (8–0, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)
• Former title challenger and current No. 10 ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes (15–5, fighting out of Victorville, Calif.) faces off with the unpredictable No. 12 Johnny Walker (22–9, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Rio das Ostras, Brazil)
• No. 6 ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Azamat Murzakanov (16–0, fighting out of Fairfield, N.J. by way of Nalchik, Russia) puts his perfect record on the line as welcomes former title challenger Paulo Costa (15–4, fighting out of Contagem, MG, Brazil) to the 205-pound division
• No. 13 ranked featherweight contender Patricio Freire (37-8, fighting out of Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) collides with Aaron Pico (13-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)
• A thrilling featherweight matchup sees UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson (30–14, fighting out of Palm Springs, Calif.) return to the Octagon to take on Nate Landwehr (18–7, fighting out of Clarksville, Tenn.)
• No. 8 ranked lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot (25-4 1NC, fighting out of Poznan, Poland) meets Esteban Ribovics (15-2, fighting out of Cordoba, Argentina) in a bout sure to deliver non-stop action
• All-action welterweights Kevin Holland (28–15, 1NC fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) and Randy Brown (20–7, fighting out of Queens, N.Y. by way of Spanish Town, Jamaica) lock horns
• High-stakes strawweight contest pits No. 2 ranked Tatiana Suarez (12–1, fighting out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) against No. 6 Loopy Godinez (14–5, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada by way of Aguascalientes, Mexico)
• UFC Hall of Famer Kelvin Gastelum(21-10 1NC, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.) welcomes veteran Vicente Luque (23–12–1, fighting out of Brasília, Brasil) to the middleweight division

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

Visit the How to Watch UFC Fight Nightpageon Paramount+.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 353 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to more than 950 million broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Kaseya Center

Located in the center of booming downtown Miami and the Entertainment District, Kaseya Center—home of the NBA Champion Miami HEAT—hosts 80+ non-basketball events each year including A-list concerts, family shows, sporting events, national conferences and more. Named as Billboard’s 2026 Top East Coast Arena, Kaseya Center is built with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and HD and electronic media signage inside and out. The impressive 19,600-seat venue is currently ranked the #1 arena in Florida for the 11th consecutive year—and the 14th time during the past 15 years—according to Billboard’s 2025 year-end rankings. Kaseya Center is also among the leading facilities in the country for hosting Latin entertainment. The Center has led the renaissance of downtown Miami over the past two decades, helping to transform the area into a thriving arts and entertainment district. The facility has hosted more than 1,200 events including diverse musical superstars such as Adele, Andrea Bocelli, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Depeche Mode, Drake, Dua Lipa, Eagles, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Jennifer Lopez, Jonas Brothers, Justin Timberlake, Kane Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Phish, RadioHead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rolling Stones, SZA, Taylor Swift, The Cure, The Killers, Tool, U2 and Usher just to name a few.  Kaseya Center has also become one of the country’s leading venues for showcasing Latin entertainment, including the likes of Ana Gabriel, Bad Bunny, Chayanne, Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Karol G, Luis Miguel, Maluma, Maná, Marc Anthony, Ricardo Arjona, Ricky Martin, Shakira, and many others, as well as internationally televised award shows Premio Lo Nuestro and the Latin Grammy Awards. In 2009, Kaseya Center became among the first existing buildings in the country to have achieved LEED certification by the United States Green Building Council for its commitment to sustainability practices. More recently, in 2021, the Arena achieved its second LEED gold recertification. For more information about Kaseya Center, visit KaseyaCenter.com.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 19, 2026) — UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, today announced that the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), the unified regulatory body that oversees and supports the safety, integrity, and standardization of professional boxing and MMA events in the United States, will serve as an independent third party to advise on the regulatory operations for the unprecedented UFC event scheduled for Sunday, Jun. 14 on the grounds of the iconic White House, one of the most significant and renowned locations in the world.

In a statement published today, Association of Boxing Commissions President Timothy Shipman, wrote:

“As the event is being held on federal property, there is no requirement for the UFC to select a state athletic commission to oversee the event.

“The UFC expresses its commitment to ensuring that this event is among the most thoroughly regulated in the history of the sport and has requested that the ABC serve as an independent third party to assist in assembling the most qualified group of judges, referees, and inspectors in the world.

“The UFC has further confirmed that it will abide by all applicable regulatory requirements in support of this event, including all required medical examinations, pre-bout and post-bout physicals, and athlete safety protocols. All bouts on this card are officially licensed and sanctioned contests.”

Hunter Campell, UFC Chief Business Officer, and Marc Ratner, Senior Vice President, UFC Government & Regulatory Affairs, will collaborate with ABC on the details of the regulatory oversight of the event.

“UFC is the gold standard for athlete health and safety in combat sports – bar none, and we will absolutely bring those same industry leading standards to this incredible, unique event at the White House,” said Marc Ratner. “We thank the Association of Boxing Commissions for lending their expertise to ensure the highest standards of competitive integrity and professional governance to a truly unprecedented stage for MMA.”

The groundbreaking event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., marking the first professional sports event held at the world-famous location.

The event will feature a six-bout card headlined by a championship doubleheader. In the main event, UFC lightweight champion and No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Ilia Topuria will take on interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, while the co-main event pits former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira attempting to win a UFC title in an unprecedented third weight class against Ciryl Gane, a former interim UFC heavyweight champion. 

The  event will stream live on Paramount+ in the United States at no additional cost to subscribers.

Additional details about the event, including the schedule of official fight week activities, will be announced at a later date.

For information about upcoming UFC events, please visit UFC.com

+++

About UFC® 

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 353 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while distributing programming to more than 950 million broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. 

Las Vegas –UFC’s returns to Newark, N.J. with an exciting middleweight championship grudge match that will see Khamzat Chimaev defend against former titleholder and current No. 3 ranked contender Sean Strickland. Also, heavyweight contenders collide when No. 2 ranked Alexander Volkov battles No. 4 Waldo Cortes Acosta.

UFC^® 328: CHIMAEV vs. STRICKLAND takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center with the main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Paramount+. The late prelims will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Paramount+. The early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT on Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC^® 328: CHIMAEV vs. STRICKLAND will mark the twelfth UFC event at the famed arena dating back to 2007. UFC^® 302 headlined by Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier in 2024 still holds the venue’s live event gate record. 

UFC^® 328: CHIMAEV vs. STRICKLAND tickets will go on sale Friday, March 20 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET and are available atTicketmaster.com.  Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club ^® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 18 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.  

UFC VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Chimaev (15-0, fighting out of The United Arab Emirates by way of Chechnya, Russia) plans to kick off his 2026 campaign with a vintage performance. An undefeated competitor, he holds impressive wins against former UFC champions Dricus du Plessis, Robert Whittaker and Kamaru Usman. Chimaev looks to stop Strickland to begin a dominant title reign.

Strickland (30-7, fighting out of Corona, Calif.) has his sight set on regaining the UFC middleweight championship. Known for his relentless pressure, he has delivered memorable victories over Anthony Hernandez, Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Strickland intends to become a two-time titleholder by handing Chimaev his first career loss.

Volkov (39-11, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) hopes to continue his momentum following his October win against Jailton Almeida. A 16-year MMA veteran, the Russian striker has also earned victories over Sergei Pavlovich, Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Romanov. Volkov looks to defend his spot in the rankings by halting Cortes Acosta’s momentum.

Cortes Acosta (17-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic) intends to secure his fourth consecutive KO victory. A heavy-handed boxer, he has earned notable finishes over Derrick Lewis, Shamil Gaziev and Ante Delija. Cortes Acosta now hopes to stake his claim for a title shot with a show-stealing performance against Volkov.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 6 ranked welterweight contender Sean Brady (18-2, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) locks horns with No. 9 Joaquin Buckley (21-7, fighting out of St. Louis, Mo.)
• Former UFC light heavyweight champion and current No. 5 ranked contender Jan Blachowicz (29-11-2, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) rematches No. 8 Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1, fighting out of Dukent, Uzbekistan)
• King Green (34-17-1 1NC, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) squares off with Jeremy Stephens (28-20 1NC, fighting out of San Diego, Calif. by way of Des Moines, Iowa) in a clash of lightweight veterans
• Ateba Gautier (10-1, fighting out of Yaounde, Cameroon) takes on Ozzy Diaz (10-3, fighting out of Downtown Los Angeles, Calif.) at middleweight

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Prudential Center

Prudential Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) New York Sirens and more than 210 concerts, family shows and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 worldwide by Pollstar, Billboard and various other industry publications, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and hosts over 2 million guests annually. For more information about Prudential Center, visit prucenter.com and follow the arena on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok @PruCenter. Prudential Center is a HBSE property.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Meta APEX with an all-action lightweight main event, as former UFC lightweight title challenger and No. 10 ranked contender Renato Moicanofaces off with rising prospect Chris Duncan. Also on the card, No. 3 ranked UFC strawweight contender Virna Jandiroba meets No. 7 ranked Tabatha Ricci in a high-stakes matchup.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MOICANO vs. DUNCAN takes place Saturday, April 4 in Las Vegas. The prelims will air at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, followed by the main card airing at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. All bouts will stream live on Paramount+.

Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MOICANO vs. DUNCAN will go on sale Friday, March 13 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at AXS.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® will have the opportunity to purchase tickets on Wednesday, March 11 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 12 at 10 p.m. PT. To access the pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Meta APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC Octagon Girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Fan favorite Moicano (20-7-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) returns to action looking to once again put on a show. A prolific submission artist, he has shown off his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt skills in wins over Benoit Saint Denis, Brad Riddell and Alexander Hernandez. Moicano now looks to kick off his 2026 season with another statement performance.  

Duncan (15-2, fighting out of Glasgow, Scotland) plans to make the most of his first UFC main event opportunity. A well-rounded finisher, Duncan is on a four-fight winning streak which includes stoppages over Terrance McKinney, Jordan Vucenic and Bolaji Oki. He now intends to secure another highlight and break into the Top 15.

High-level grappler Jandiroba (22-4, fighting out of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil) makes her first appearance after challenging for the UFC strawweight championship. Jandiroba is currently tied for the most submission attempts in her division’s history with 16, a number she amassed throughout victories over Yan Xiaonan, Amanda Lemos and Loopy Godinez. She now looks to defend her spot in the Top 5 and make another run towards the title.

Ricci (12-3, fighting out of Ventura, Calif. by way of Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil) seeks to continue her momentum with another standout showing. Holding a black belt in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, she has demonstrated her well-rounded talents in wins over Amanda Ribas, Angela Hill and Tecia Pennington. Ricci now has her sights set on becoming the first person to finish Jandiroba and to break into title contention.

Additional bouts include:

• Ethyn Ewing (8-2, fighting out of Fountain Valley, Calif.) aims to keep the momentum going from his statement UFC debut when he faces the undefeated Rafael Estevam (14-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at bantamweight
• Lando Vannata (12-7-2, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) returns to the Octagon to battle Darrius Flowers(12-8-1, fighting out of Mason City, Iowa) in a lightweight bout
• Charles Radtke(11-5, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) looks to spoil the UFC debut of Jose Henrique (8-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at welterweight
• Undefeated light heavyweight Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev (8-0, fighting out of Grozny, Chechnya) meets veteran Brendson Ribeiro (17-9 1NC, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
• Featherweight actions pits Dana White’s Contender Series standout Tommy McMillen (9-0, fighting out of Scottsdale, Ariz.) against Manolo Zecchini (11-4, fighting out of Venice, Italy)
• Azamat Bekoev (20-4, fighting out of Vladikavkaz, Russia) aims for another highlight-reel finish as he takes on Tresean Gore (6-4, fighting out of Lawrenceville, Ga.) at middleweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series 2025 signee Jose Delano(16-3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) looks to impress in his UFC debut against Robert Ruchala (11-2, fighting out of Nowy S?cz, Poland) in a featherweight tilt
• Guilherme Pat (6-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) meetsThomas Petersen (10-4, fighting out of Lakeville, Minn.) for a light heavyweight collision
• Flyweights Alessandro Costa(14-5, fighting out of Puebla, Mexico) and Stewart Nicoll (8-2, fighting out of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) aim to steal the show
• Alice Pereira (6-1, fighting out of Feira de Santana, Brazil) and Hailey Cowan (7-4, fighting out of Robinson, Texas) vie for their first UFC wins in a bantamweight contest
• Dione Barbosa (8-4, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif. by way of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil) and Melissa Gatto (9-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) lock horns at flyweight

For the latest information on bout announcements and additional information for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts are subject to change. Please click?here?to apply for the event.

###

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 259 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount  Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com. 

Las Vegas ­– UFC^® today announced that the classic 2020 fight between strawweights Zhang Weili and Joanna Jedrzejczyk will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s ‘Fight Wing’ as a part of the class of 2026. This fight will enter the Hall of Fame as the first women’s bout inducted in UFC history. The UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place this summer.

“The fight between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili at UFC 248 is one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “This fight was incredible. You had two talented savages that wanted the strawweight title more than anything and neither one of them backed down during this fight. I knew this was going to be a badass fight and it absolutely delivered. Congrats to Joanna and Weili on a fight that will always be remembered!”

As the co-main event of UFC^® 248: ADESANYA vs. ROMERO, which took place on March 7, 2020, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, both athletes entered the Octagon on winning streaks with the strawweight title on the line. 

Zhang entered the Octagon as the strawweight champion on a 20-fight winning streak and an impressive 20-1 record (4-0, UFC), recently defeating former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade and becoming the first Chinese athlete to capture a UFC title. 

Jedrzejczyk entered the bout with a 16-3 record (10-3, UFC) and previous wins over former UFC strawweight champions Carla Esparza and Jessica Andrade. 

A thrilling and competitive fight from the outset where the three judges were unanimous in how they saw just one of the five rounds, Zhang (165) and Jedrzejczyk (186) combined to land 351 significant strikes during their 25-minute instant classic, the most in a women’s UFC contest and the third-most in UFC title fight history. This fight marked the fourth time Jedrzejczyk landed more than 180 significant strikes against her opponent, the second-most in UFC history behind Max Holloway, who has accomplished the feat six times. It also marked the eighth time the Polish standout landed more than 100 significant strikes in a fight, making her one of six fighters in UFC history to accomplish the feat.

After the exhilarating 25-minute battle that culminated in a standing ovation for the combatants and immediate recognition as one of the greatest fights to ever take place inside the Octagon, Zhang emerged victorious, retaining her strawweight title by split decision. 

The two would meet in a rematch during UFC^® 275: TEIXEIRA vs. PROCHAZKA, which took place on June 12, 2022, at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore, with Zhang securing the victory via KO by spinning backfist in the second round.

The fight won several awards, including Fight of the Year honors from Yahoo! Sports, MMA Junkie, MMA Fighting, The Athletic, BT Sport, CBS Sports, and the Fighters Only World MMA Awards.

To view this fight on UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/video/130443

To see a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOFFAQ. For additional information, please visit UFC.com.

Tom Aspinall believes Eddie Hearn is the perfect man to take his career to the next level after being officially unveiled as the first signing for Matchroom Talent Agency.

The UFC Heavyweight Champion joined the Matchroom Sport Chairman at a packed, launch Press Conference at London’s Battersea Power Station on Friday.

News of their exciting link-up dominated sports media coverage following its announcement on Thursday – and Aspinall has no doubt that even bigger things will follow now he has signed terms with Hearn to lead him. 

“I needed a more powerful voice in my corner to grow commercially inside and outside the Octagon,” Aspinall said, speaking to media today.

“I am delighted to be working with Matchroom Talent Agency. I hope other MMA fighters look at this and see the money I’m going to make, to be a trailblazer for them.”

Matchroom Talent Agency is Matchroom Sport’s new brand of talent management, created by Chairman Eddie Hearn, to manage and service leading Sport & Entertainment talent with care and loyalty, nurturing athletes’ careers by managing their brand and building their reputations.

The new subsidiary sits alongside Matchroom Sport’s leading global entities in Matchroom Boxing, Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker and Matchroom MultiSport.

With an unrivalled dominance over the past 40 years, Matchroom has been at the heart of some of the most poignant and iconic sporting moments in history, pioneered by an array of legendary heroes from generations past and present.

Hearn is happy to have yet another superstar athlete alongside him in Aspinall and is determined to help steer and accelerate the combat fighter’s future to even greater heights.

“Tom Aspinall needs to be recognised for the revenue he drives,” said Hearn.

“Tom is the elite of the elite. The baddest man on the planet in MMA. The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion – and we are thrilled to be in his corner as the first of many marquee signings for our new Matchroom Talent Agency.

“Since the news broke yesterday of the formation of Matchroom Talent Agency, we have been inundated with enquiries from many high-profile athletes in Sport & Entertainment, so watch this space on who we sign up next.” 

BRENTWOOD, ESSEX – THURSDAY, MARCH 5: Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Sport is thrilled to announce today the launch of Matchroom Talent Agency – with its first signing, UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tom Aspinall.

Matchroom Talent Agency is Matchroom Sport’s new brand of talent management, created by Chairman Eddie Hearn to manage and service leading Sport & Entertainment talent with care and loyalty, nurturing athletes’ careers by managing their brand and building their reputations.

The new subsidiary sits alongside Matchroom Sport’s leading global entities in Matchroom Boxing, Professional Darts Corporation, World Snooker and Matchroom MultiSport.

With an unrivalled dominance over the past 40 years, Matchroom has been at the heart of some of the most poignant and iconic sporting moments in history, pioneered by an array of legendary superstars from generations past and present.

And a new journey begins today across Sport & Entertainment, as Matchroom Talent Agency embarks on a bright future ahead by joining forces with one of the biggest stars in the world as mega star – and reigning UFC Heavyweight king – Tom Aspinall is confirmed as the first member to join its world class talent roster.

Ranked in the top 10 as one of the best pound-for-pound MMA fighters on the planet, Aspinall, 32, became the first ever Briton to be crowned the UFC Heavyweight Champion back in 2025. 

Aspinall will continue working closely with his existing Media and Management team as Matchroom Talent Agency supports him with further key services ranging from Commercial, through to Publishing, Digital, Broadcast and Legal – and Eddie Hearn is excited to officially kickstart this new Matchroom Sport venture alongside the Salford-born combat fighter.

“I started my professional career in Athlete management and over the past 30 years, I have built a wealth of experience in building global superstars,”said Matchroom Sport Chairman, Eddie Hearn.

“We believe in partnership and transparency with our clients but, most importantly, always delivering exceptional and innovative work. Grounded in honesty and fierce commitment, Matchroom Talent Agency is about transforming careers through relentless ambition and telling it straight. 

“We believe in creating opportunities where others see obstacles in turning potential into greatness. So, the message is loud and clear to all: Join us on this journey. We are officially open for business.”

Tom Aspinall said: “I’m really excited to welcome Eddie [Hearn] and the Matchroom Sport group in a commercial and advisory role, and to become the first athlete to join the new Matchroom Talent Agency. 

“I’m really looking forward to working together and exploring some exciting opportunities as I continue my journey back into the cage.”