Winnipeg – The Octagon® returns to Winnipeg with an exciting welterweight contenders’ bout that will see former title challenger and No. 12 ranked contender Gilbert Burns battle Canadian standout Mike Malott. Also, flyweight contenders collide when No. 6 ranked contender Jasmine Jasudavicius faces No. 9 Karine Silva.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BURNS vs. MALOTT takes place Saturday, April 18 at Canada Life Centre. The main card will air live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, preceded by the prelims at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT, on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The early prelims will stream on UFC FIGHT PASS at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BURNS vs. MALOTT tickets will go on sale Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. CT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 5 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Fans can register their interest at UFC.com/Winnipeg.

Burns (22-9, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. USA by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) hopes to start his 2026 campaign with a highlight-reel finish. A former welterweight title challenger, the Brazilian has netted spectacular wins against Jorge Masvidal, Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley. Burns looks to remind fans he’s among the best in the world by halting Malott’s momentum.

Malott (13-2-1, fighting out of Fonthill, Ont.) intends to crack the welterweight Top 15 with a statement performance. A dangerous finisher, he has secured exciting victories over Kevin Holland, Charles Radke and Adam Fugitt. Malott plans to make the most of his first UFC main event opportunity by stopping Burns in emphatic fashion.

Jasudavicius (14-4, fighting out of Niagara, Ont.) strives to turn heads with a dominant performance on home soil. A relentless competitor, she has delivered memorable finishes against Jessica Andrade, Ariane da Silva and Priscila Cachoeira. Jasudavicius looks to defend her spot in the rankings to earn an opportunity at the flyweight Top 5.

Silva (19-6, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) has her sight set on stealing the show behind enemy lines. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, she has earned notable submission victories over Maryna Moroz, Ketlen Souza and Poliana Botelho. Silva hopes to continue her ascent up the 125-pound ladder by taking out Jasudavicius.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• UFC newcomer Julien Leblanc (10-2, fighting out of Gatineau, Que.) debuts against Robert Valentin (11-6 1NC, fighting out of Zurich, Switzerland) in a middleweight bout
• Tanner Boser (22-10-1, fighting out of Edmonton, Alta.) returns to the Octagon against Gokhan Saricam (11-2, fighting out of Istanbul, Turkey) at heavyweight
• Melissa Croden (7-3, fighting out of Calgary, Alta.) meets Daria Zhelezniakova (10-2, fighting out of Saint Petersburg, Russia) in a bantamweight bout
• Donghun Choi (9-0, fighting out of Pohang, South Korea) squares off with Andre Lima (11-0, fighting out of Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil) in a battle of undefeated flyweights
• Mitch Raposo (10-3, fighting out of Fall River, Mass., USA) faces Allan Nascimento (22-6, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) at flyweight
• John Castaneda (21-8, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn., USA) takes on Mark Vologdin (12-4-1, fighting out of Stockholm Sweden way of Russia) at bantamweight

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 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.

Winnipeg – The Octagon® returns to Winnipeg with an exciting welterweight bout that will see former title challenger and No. 12 ranked contender Gilbert Burns battle Canadian standout Mike Malott. Stay tuned for future bout announcements.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BURNS vs. MALOTT takes place Saturday, April 18 at Canada Life Centre. The main card will air live at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, preceded by the prelims at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT, on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The early prelims will stream on UFC FIGHT PASS at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BURNS vs. MALOTT tickets will go on sale Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. CT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, March 5 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Fans can register their interest at UFC.com/Winnipeg.

Burns (22-9, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. USA by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) hopes to start his 2026 campaign with a highlight-reel finish. A former welterweight title challenger, the Brazilian has netted spectacular wins against Jorge Masvidal, Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley. Burns looks to remind fans he’s among the best in the world by halting Malott’s momentum.

Malott (13-2-1, fighting out of Fonthill, Ont.) intends to crack the welterweight Top 15 with statement performance. A dangerous finisher, he has secured exciting victories over Kevin Holland, Charles Radke and Adam Fugitt. Malott plans to make the most of his first UFC main event opportunity by stopping Burns in emphatic fashion.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: BURNS vs. MALOTT will mark the third UFC event in Winnipeg. Since debuting in the Great White North with UFC 83 in 2008, UFC has held a total of 36 premiere sporting events in Canada that span across 11 cities.

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 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.

Las Vegas – UFC® returns to Seattle, Wash. for a second straight year with a thrilling middleweight contest that sees former division champion and current No. 6 ranked contender Israel Adesanyasquare off with No. 14 Joe Pyfer. Also on the card, a showdown between top ranked flyweights as No. 4 Alexa Grassocollides with No. 5 Maycee Barber.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ADESANYA vs. PYFER takes place Saturday, March 28 in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena. 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+.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: ADESANYA vs. PYFER tickets will go on sale Fri., February 6 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com and ClimatePledgeArena.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wed., February 4 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 Thurs., February 5 starting at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Adesanya (24-5, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) makes his long-waited return to the Octagon. A former two-time middleweight champion, the UFC Hall of Famer has become an icon of the sport through legendary performances against notable names such as Anderson Silva, Alex Pereira, and Robert Whittaker. Adesanya looks to resume his winning ways and add Pyfer to his collection of names.

Pyfer (15-3, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) plans to secure the biggest win of his career. Since breaking into the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series, the Philadelphia native has earned his spot in the rankings by racking up impressive wins against Kelvin Gastelum, Abus Magomedov, and Marc-André Barriault. Pyfer now aims make a statement against Adesanya and continue his journey to UFC gold.

Mexico’s Grasso (16-5-1, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) looks to kick off the 2026 season with a bang. The first Mexican woman to win UFC gold, Grasso has become a fan-favorite through her display of heart and grit in victories over Valentina Shevchenko and Viviane Araújo, as well as a previous victory over Baber. She looks to earn another championship opportunity by once again defeating Barber in dominant fashion.

Barber (15-2, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) has not lost since her first meeting with Grasso and heads to Seattle seeking redemption. A Dana White’s Contender series standout, Barber is riding a seven-fight winning streak that includes victories over Karine Silva, Amanda Ribas, and former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara. She now plans to even the score and make a statement against Grasso.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 10 ranked Marcin Tybura(27-10, fighting out of Uniejow, Poland) collides with No. 14 Valter Walker(15-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a clash of heavyweight contenders
• Washington’s own Chase Hooper (16-4-1, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.) aims for another signature submission when he meets Lance Gibson Jr. (9-2, fighting out of Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada) in a featherweight contest
• Light heavyweights battle as undefeated Navajo Stirling (8-0, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) faces off with Bruno Lopes (14-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Veteran Michael Chiesa (19-7, fighting out of Spokane Valley, Wash.) plans to impress his home state fans when he challenges Carlston Harris(19-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) at welterweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Mansur Abdul-Malik(9-0-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) squares off with Yousri Belgaroui(9-3, fighting out of Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
• No. 11 ranked flyweight contender Casey O’Neill(27-10, fighting out of Gold Coast, Australia) battles No. 15 Gabriella Fernandes(11-3, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil)
• An exciting featherweight bout pits Julian Erosa (31-13, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) against Lerryan Douglas (13-5, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.)
• Road to UFC featherweight signee Zhu Kangjie (21-4 1NC, fighting out of Jiangsu, China) looks to make the most of his UFC debut when he meets fellow debutant Marcio Barbosa(17-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Carol Foro(9-1, fighting out of Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil)faces Stephanie Luciano(7-2-1, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) at strawweight

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 Climate Pledge Arena

Climate Pledge Arena, located at Seattle Center, is the complete redevelopment of an historic landmark, originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The arena is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, WNBA’s Seattle Storm, Seattle Torrent and the world’s biggest performers of live music and events. The arena is named after The Climate Pledge, an initiative founded by Amazon and Global Optimism asking global corporations to become net zero carbon by 2040. Climate Pledge Arena has one of the most progressive sustainability programs of any building its size, including being the world’s first Zero Carbon Certified arena. Climate Pledge Arena opened October 19, 2021. Visit climatepledgearena.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. 

London, UK – UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, has announced its highly anticipated return to London on Saturday March 21. The O2 plays host once again, as No. 1 ranked featherweight Movsar Evloev takes on No. 4 featherweight Manchester’s Lerone Murphy.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: EVLOEV vs MURPHY tickets will be available to purchase for the general public at 10 a.m. GMT on Friday, February 6 via AXS. Fight Club members can enjoy early access to tickets at 9 a.m. GMT on Wednesday, February 4, while those who registered their interest early via ufc.com/London will receive priority access at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 5.

VIP Experience packages are currently available via On Location, the UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that can feature

premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins, exclusive pre-fight hospitality, UFC Fighter meet-and-greets and more. For more information, visit UFCVIP.com to view package details.

Movsar Evloev (19-0-0, fighting out of Sunzha, Ingushetia, Russia) has earned nine straight victories inside the Octagon®. Known for his dominant, grappling-heavy style, the undefeated standout holds wins over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes.

Lerone Murphy, (17-0-1, fighting out of Manchester, England) tops the marquee in London for the first time. Unbeaten across 11 UFC appearances, “The Miracle” is coming off a Knockout of the Year performance against Aaron Pico at UFC® 319 in August that extended his winning streak to 10 and established him as a legitimate threat in the featherweight division.

Meanwhile, Luke Riley (12-0-0, fighting out of Liverpool, England) is back in action after an impressive UFC debut in Qatar, where he produced an emphatic KO finish against Bogdan Grad. Riley is known for his confidence, composure and finishing instinct, he’s entering this next fight with momentum and the intent to announce himself as a serious presence in the featherweight division.

Michael Aswell Jr. (11-3-0, fighting out of Houston, Texas), returns to the Octagon following his round one win against Lucas Almeida. Aswell Jr. brings a relentless pace and a well-rounded skill set that makes him a dangerous matchup for Liverpool’s Riley.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• London’s own Michael “Venom” Page (24-3-0, fighting out of London, England) takes on Sam Patterson (14-2-1, fighting out of Watford, England) whose riding a four fight win streak in the welterweight division
• Iwo Baraniewski (7-0-0, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) looks to build on his
• memorable debut win as he welcomes Austen Lane (13-7-0 fighting out of Jacksonville, Florida) to the light heavyweight division
• Top 15 mainstay Roman Dolidze (15-4-0, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) and streaking British standout Christian Leroy Duncan (13-2-0, fighting out of Gloucester, England) face off in an intriguing middleweight matchup
• Liverpool native Kurtis Campbell (8-0-0, fighting out of Liverpool, England) makes his promotional debut against American Danny Silva (10-2-0, fighting out of Santa Ana, California, USA) in a featherweight bout between Dana White’s Contender Series grads
• Welshman Mason Jones (17-2-0, 1 NC, fighting out of Blaenavon, Wales) meets Axel Sosa (11-0-1, fighting out of Nice, France) in a high octane lightweight contest
• Local featherweight Nathaniel Wood (22-6-0, fighting out of London, England) faces off against Losene Keita (16-1-0, fighting out of Kortrijk, Belgium), who is known for his dangerous knockout power
• Scotland’s Louie Sutherland (10-4-0, fighting out of London, England) takes on “The Balkan Bear” Brando Peri?ic (5-1-0, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) in a battle of UFC heavyweight sophomores
• In middleweight action, Lithuania’s Mantas Kondratavicius (8-1-0, fighting out of Kaunas, Lithuania) makes his UFC debut against veteran Antonio Trocoli (12-6-0, 1 NC, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)
• Mick Parkin (10-1-0, fighting out of Sunderland, England) and Mario Pinto (11-0-0) fighting out of London, England) collide in a bumper heavyweight bout between emerging talents
• Melissa Mullins (7-2-0, fighting out of Coventry, England) returns to the Octagon as she takes on Dana White Contender Series alumni Luana Carolina (11-5-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) in a women’s bantamweight bout.
• The tenacious Shem Rock (12-2-1, fighting out of Dublin, Ireland) will take on the “Pride of Palestine” Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady(15-4-0, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) in the lightweight division
• Shanelle Dyer (6-1-0, fighting out of London, England) will make her UFC debut at home in a clash with Brazilian Ravena Oliveira (7-3-1, fighting out of Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil)

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage. All bouts are live and subject to change.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 330 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.

Los Angeles, Calif. — January 26, 2026 — Paramount+ today announced a standout debut for UFC 324 held Saturday, January 24, delivering nearly five million streaming views and over seven million households, the platform’s largest exclusive live event to date.  UFC 324  also reached more homes than any other live UFC event in nearly a decade across linear, broadcast and streaming (source: Adobe Analytics and Nielsen Media).  With distribution in the U.S. and Latin America, viewers enjoyed  seamless access to UFC 324, now made available as part of their Paramount+ subscription without an additional ‘pay-per-view’ cost.

At a stage set at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Saturday’s event delivered nonstop action, capped by a thrilling main event. UFC veteran Justin Gaethje earned a unanimous decision over rising U.K. star Paddy Pimblett in a back-and-forth battle already being hailed as a contender for Fight of the Year. The victory earned Gaethje the Interim Lightweight title and set the stage for a potential showdown with reigning, undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria.  

Viewership Highlights*:

*Source: Adobe Analytics and Channel Partner Data

• Live Average Minute Audience/Streaming Views (Main Card): 4.96M 
• Global HHs: 7.18M [Does not account for co-viewing]
• Peak Concurrent Streams: 5.93M [Does not account for co-viewing]

   

  Social Highlights*: 

  *Source: Social Content Ratings, 1/24/26, Live, Linear Window; Talkwalker 1/24-1/25/26 #UFC324 vs 12/6-12/7/25 #UFC232; Source: https://trends24.in/, 1/24/26, Worldwide

• #1 Most Social event of the night across all Broadcast, Cable, and Streaming totaling 5.5M social interactions for the main event alone.

  1. Most Social P+ Exclusive Telecast Ever

• Trended on X: #1 for 6 consecutive hours worldwide
• Mentions: 186K, up +127% vs UFC 323

   

  In promoting UFC 324, Paramount deployed the full breadth and power of the Paramount Skydance portfolio – dubbed “Paramount One” – to reach audiences in a variety of ways including cross promotion with hit series Landman, CBS integrations, and more. 

  The UFC offering on Paramount+ in U.S. and Latin America, provides subscribers with access to all marquee Numbered Events without the pay-per-view charge as well as 30 UFC Fight Night events per year, exclusive programs including Dana White’s Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, and behind-the-scenes content designed to enrich the fight-night experience for subscribers 

  Up Next: This Saturday, Jan. 31, from Sydney, Australia, UFC 325: VOLKANOVSKI vs. LOPES II streams live with the main card beginning at 9p ET / 6p PT.  Fans can follow @ParamountPlus and @ParamountUFC for updates on future events and highlights.

  Source: Paramount+ Metrics via Adobe Analytics Data and Distribution Channel Partner Data.

  @ParamountPlus

  @PeakParamount

  @ParamountUFC 

  #ParamountPlus

   

  About Paramount+

  Paramount+ is a premium streaming subscription service delivering live sports, breaking news, and a Mountain of Entertainment™, and is a cornerstone of the Direct-to-Consumer division at Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), a leading, next?generation global media and entertainment company. 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 former UFC and WEC^® bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz 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. 

“Dominick Cruz is one of the greatest bantamweights in combat sports history,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Dominick was an amazing athlete who set the standard for bantamweights, and it will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer.”

Cruz will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 17^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 28 fights during his 17-year professional MMA career, Cruz compiled a record of 24-4 (14-2 UFC / WEC), earning notable victories over UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, and former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles.

Cruz made his professional MMA debut on January 29, 2005, defeating his opponent via split decision. He would win his first nine fights across various MMA promotions, before facing future UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight title in the co-main event of WEC^® 26: CONDIT vs. ALESSIO, which took place on March 24, 2007. 

Cruz would lose his WEC debut to via first round submission but bounce back one year later with a first-round victory in another promotion. Following his victory, Cruz would rejoin WEC and win his next four fights in the bantamweight division to earn his second title fight with the promotion against the undefeated champion, Brian Bowles, in the main event of WEC 47.

WEC^® 47: BOWLES vs. CRUZ took place on March 6, 2010, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and served as Cruz’s first professional main event. Cruz set the pace from the opening bell, using his speed and elevated movement to connect on several punches and low kicks to win the first round. 

Cruz continued his dominance of the fight in the second round, striking Bowles with a series of punch and low kick combinations to counter the champions attacks. After the winning the second round, Cruz was declared the winner and new WEC bantamweight champion, as Bowles was unable to continue due to a broken right hand.

Cruz would win his next seven fights over six years, defending the WEC bantamweight title two times and becoming the inaugural UFC bantamweight champion by defeating Scott Jorgensen in the co-main event of WEC^® 53: HENDERSON vs. PETTIS. 

WEC 53 was the final event of the promotion before merging with UFC and the only time a UFC title fight occurred during a non-UFC event.

After losing the UFC bantamweight title to Cody Garbrandt in the co-main event of UFC^® 207: NUNES vs. ROUSEY, Cruz would win two of his final four fights. Cruz retired in February 2025, two and a half years after his last fight, where he lost to former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon “Chito” Vera in the main event of UFC^® on ESPN: VERA vs. CRUZ.

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

UFC:

• Longest title reign in UFC bantamweight history – 1,117 days
• Most title fight wins in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 7 
• Tied for most wins in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 14
• Second-longest fight winning streak in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 12 
• Second-most takedowns landed in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 55
• Fourth-most strikes landed in UFC / WEC bantamweight history – 1,590

Outside the Octagon, Cruz has been honored with several awards throughout his career, receiving Fighter of the Year by USA Today in 2010 and Comeback Fighter of the Year in 2014 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. A seasoned analyst, Cruz has also captured honors for his commentary work being named Analyst of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017 by the Fighters Only World MMA Awards. 

A native of San Diego, Calif., Cruz began wrestling in the seventh grade at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona. He currently serves as a combat sports analyst and resides in San Diego.

To view Cruz’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/34506.

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. 

Justin Gaethje won a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett in a back and forth brawl to win the UFC Interim Lightweight title in the headline bout at UFC 324 at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In what was an early Fight of the Year Candidate, the two waged war with Gaethje rocking Pimblettt several times. Pimblett showed his mettle by coming to buckle Gaethje

Gaethje, 155 lbs of Denver won by scores of 49-46 and 48047 twice and is now 27-5. Pimblett, 154 lbs of Liverpool, ENG is 23-34.

Sean O’Malley Decisions Yadong

Former world champion Sean O’Malley won a unanimous decision over Song Yadong in a bantamweight fight.

In round three, Yadong was bleeding badly from his mouth.

O’Malley, 135.5 lbs of Peoria, AZ win by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 19-3. Yadong, 136 lbs of China is 22-9-1.

Waldo Cortes Acosta Stops Derrick Lewis in 2

Waldo Cortes Acosta stopped former world title challenger Derrick Lewis in the second round of their heavyweight fight.

In round two, Acosta landed a right hand that had Lewis slipping to the canvas. Acosta landed 15 hammer shots on the ground and the fight was stopped at 3:14.

Acosta, 262 lbs of Phoenix is now 17-2 with nine knockouts. Lewis, 263.5 lbs pf Houston is 29-13-1.

Natalia Silva Decisions Rose Namajunas

Natalia Silva won a unanimous decision over former world champion Rose Namajunas in a flyweight bout.

Silva, 126 lbs of Pinto D’Agua BRA won by scores of 29-28 on all cards and is now 20-5-1. Namajunas, 125.5 lbs of Denver is 15-8.

Jean Silva Decisions Arnold Allen

In the opening bout of the main card, Jean Silva won a unanimous decision over Arnold Allen lightweight bout.

ilva, 146 lbs of Brazil won by scores 30-27 and 29-28 twice of and is now 17-3. Allen, 145.5 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is 20-4.

Umar Nurmagamedov won a unanimous decision over former world champion Deivson Figuerdo in a bantamweight fight.

Nurmgamedov, 136 lbs of Russia won by scores of 30-27 on all cards and is now 20-1. Figueredo, 138.5 of Soure, BRA is 25-6-1.

Ateba Gautier won a unanimous decision over Andrey Pulaev in a middleweight bout.

Pulyaev got decked early in the first round when Gautier landed a powerful right to the head. Pulyaev was bleeding for the nose in the opening round. in round two Gautier dropped hurt Pulyaev a few times with right hands.

Gautier, 186 lbs of Cameroon won by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice and is now 10-1. Pulyaev, 186 lbs of Russia is 10-4.

Nikita Krylov stopped Modestes Bukausas just before the bell sounded at end of the third and final round of their light heavyweight bout.

Late in round three, Krylov labded a perfect right on the chin the put Bukausas down. Krylov landed severl shots n the ground the fight was stopped at 4:57.

Krylov, 205.5 lbs of Russia is 31-11 with 13 knockouts. Bukausas is 19-7.

Alex Perez stopped Charles Johnson in the opening round of theor featherweight bout.

Perez decked Johnson in the opening round with a left to the head. Perez hurt Johnson several more times and the finished him off by landing another left that wiobbled Johnson to the ground and the fight was stopped at 3:16.

Perez, 128.5 lbs of Lemoore, CA is 26-10 with seven knockouts. Johnson, 126 lbs of Orlando is 18-8

Josh Hokit stopped Denzel Freeman in the opening round of his heavyweight bout.

Hokitt dominated the bout as he battered Freeman all over the Octagon. Hokitt then landed a knee to the body that forced Freeman down in a squatting position along the cage and the fight was stopped at 4:59.

Hokitt, 234.5 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 8-0 with five knockouts. Freeman, 252.5 lbs of Denver is 7-2.

Ty Miller stopped Adam Fugitt just before the end of the opening round of their welterweight bout.

In round one, Miller was bleeding from the nose. At the end of the round, Miller put Fugitt down with a straight right. Fugitt then ate a huge right then a knee to the head the fight was over at 4:59.

Miller, 170 lbs of Albuquerque is now 7-0 with three stoppages. Fugitt, 171 lbs of Eugene, OR is 10-6.

Las Vegas – UFC^® hosts its first set of events at the new and improved Meta APEX with a pair of all-action main events. First, on February 7, top bantamweights lock horns as No. 9 ranked contender Mario Bautista faces off with No. 13 Vinicius Oliveira. March 14 will feature a collision of featherweight knockout artists as No. 11 ranked Josh Emmett takes on No. 13 Kevin Vallejos.  

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BAUTISTA vs. OLIVEIRA takes place Saturday, February 7 in Las Vegas at Meta APEX. 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+.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: EMMETT vs. VALLEJOS takes place Saturday, March 14 in Las Vegas at Meta APEX. 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 both events will go on sale Friday, January 23 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 Thursday, January 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, January 22 at 12 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.

Bautista (16-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) intends to kick off his 2026 campaign with a statement performance. A well-rounded competitor, Bautista owns the third-longest win streak in UFC bantamweight history with eight, which included victories over Patchy Mix, Jose Aldo and Ricky Simon. He now looks to make the most of his first UFC main event by delivering a highlight-reel finish. 

Dangerous striker Oliveira (23-3, fighting out of Lomba do Pinheiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) plans to keep his momentum from 2025 going and remain undefeated in the UFC. A Dana White’s Contender Series alum, he rose through the ranks with impressive outings against Kyler Phillips, Said Nurmagomedov and Ricky Simon. Oliveira seeks to break into the Top 10 bantamweight rankings for the first time with another signature knockout. 

Emmett (19-6, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) steps back into the Octagon aiming to land another signature knockout. The owner of the most knockdowns in UFC featherweight history with 12, the Sacramento-based veteran has showed off his power in victories over Bryce Mitchell, Mirsad Bektic and Michael Johnson. He now has his sights set on handing Vallejos the first loss of his UFC career.  

Argentina’s Vallejos (17-1, fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina) looks to secure the biggest win of his career following an outstanding first year competing in the Octagon. Among the top prospects in the featherweight division, he has proved himself with wins over Giga Chikadze, Danny Silva and SeungWoo Choi. Vallejos now plans to put himself into the top contender conversation with a standout showing.  

Additional bouts for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BAUTISTA vs. OLIVEIRA include:

• A high stakes flyweight bout sees No. 6 ranked contender Amir Albazi (17-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Baghdad, Iraq) return to the Octagon to take on No. 8 ranked Kyoji Horiguchi (35-5 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Tokyo, Japan) 
• Jean Matsumoto (17-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Farid Basharat (14-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Paktia, Afghanistan) meet in a clash of rising bantamweight hopefuls. 
• Middleweight action sees Michal Oleksiejczuk (21-9 1NC, fighting out of Leczna, Poland) take on Marc-Andre Barriault(17-10 1NC, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada)
• Said Nurmagomedov (18-5, fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) battles Javid Basharat (14-2 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Paktia, Afghanistan) in a bantamweight contest
• No. 12 ranked women’s flyweight contender Wang Cong (8-1, fighting out of Liaoning, China) plans to earn another exciting finish when she faces No. 13 Eduarda Moura (12-1, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)
• A thrilling welterweight bout pits veteran Alex Morono (24-12 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) against The Ultimate Fighter season 33 welterweight winner Daniil Donchenko (13-2, fighting out of Korosten, Ukraine) 
• Muin Gafurov (20-6, fighting out of Dushanbe, Tajikistan) and Jakub Wiklacz (17-3-2, fighting out of Poznan, Poland) meet in a bantamweight tilt
• Women’s strawweight competitors Bruna Brasil (11-5-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Ketlen Souza (15-6, fighting out of Manaus, Brazil) go toe-to-toe
• Klaudia Sygula (7-2, fighting out of Poznan, Poland) takes on Priscila Cachoeira (13-7, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a women’s bantamweight bout
• Uran Satybaldiev (9-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif. by way of Osh, Kyrgyzstan) meets Julius Walker (7-1, fighting out of Springfield, Mo.) at light heavyweight

Additional bouts for UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: EMMETT vs. VALLEJOS include:

• Top ranked strawweights go toe-to-toe as former title challenger and No. 5 ranked Amanda Lemos (15-5-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil) faces No. 10 Gillian Robertson (16-8, fighting out of Port St. Lucie, Fla. by way of Niagara Falls, Canada)
• Light heavyweight actions sees Ion Cutelaba(19-11-1 1NC, fighting out of Chisinau, Moldova) battle Oumar Sy (12-1, fighting out of Paris, France)
• An intriguing bantamweight bout pits 10-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Bia Mesquita (6-0, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) against Montse Rendon (7-1, fighting out of Cancun, Mexico)
• No. 14 ranked UFC bantamweight contender Bruno Silva (15-7-2-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) looks to make a statement against rising No. 15 ranked Lone’er Kavanaugh (9-1, fighting out of London, England)
• Vitor Petrino (13-2, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) and Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-6-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) collide in a heavyweight bout
• Chris Curtis (32-12 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) faces Myktybek Orolbai (15-2-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif. by way of Osh, Kyrgyzstan) in a welterweight bout sure to deliver action
• Middleweight veterans lock horns as Brad Tavares (21-12, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) takes on Eryk Anders (17-9 1NC, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.)
• Elijah Smith (9-1, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo.) and SuYoung You (16-3 2NC, fighting out of Gunpo, South Korea) go head-to-head in a meeting of bantamweight prospects
• Rinya Nakamura(10-1, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan) returns to action against Luan Lacerda (13-3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a bantamweight tilt
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Marwan Rahiki (7-0, fighting out of Connells Point, New South Wales, Australia) plans to impress in his UFC debut against Harry Hardwick (13-4-1, fighting out of Middlesbrough, England) 
• Piera Rodriguez (11-2, fighting out of Maracaibo, Venezuela) and Sam Hughes (11-6, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) matchup in a strawweight bout

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’s returns to T-Mobile Arena with a blockbuster BMF championship bout between perennial fan favorites as Max Holloway defends against Charles Oliveira at lightweight. The co-main event will see No. 7 ranked middleweight contender Caio Borralho battles No. 8 Reinier De Ridder. 

UFC^® 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2 takes place Saturday, March 7 from Las Vegas 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^® 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2 tickets will go on sale Friday, January 16 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, January 14 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, January 15 at 10 a.m. PT. 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.

Holloway (27-8, fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii) looks to secure his second consecutive BMF title defense in dominant fashion. A former UFC featherweight champion, the 34-year-old standout has earned impressive victories over Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Jose Aldo, and is focused on securing a second career win over Oliveira.

Former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira (36-11 1NC, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) plans to even the score with Holloway. The recordholder for most submissions and finishes in UFC history, he has earned spectacular wins over Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier and Beneil Dariush. Oliveira now aims to dethrone Holloway and become the first Brazilian BMF titleholder.

Borralho (17-2 1NC, fighting out of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil) hopes to kick off his 2026 campaign with a vintage performance. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, “The Natural” has netted notable wins over Jared Cannonier, Paul Craig and Micha? Oleksiejczuk. Borralho has his sight set on taking out De Ridder in order to move one step closer to breaking into the middleweight Top 5.

De Ridder (21-3, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands) intends to steal the show by delivering a statement performance against Borralho. A talented grappler, the Dutch contender holds memorable victories against Robert Whittaker, Bo Nickal and Kevin Holland. De Ridder now plans to turn heads by finishing Borralho in impressive fashion.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 10 ranked lightweight contender Renato Moicano (20-7-1, fighting out of Brasília, Brazil) looks to spoil the 155-pound debut of former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega (16-5 1NC, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.)
• No. 14 ranked middleweight contender Gregory Rodrigues (18-6, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) locks horns with surging Brunno Ferreira (15-2, fighting out of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil)
• An intriguing bantamweight bout pits No. 12 ranked contender Rob Font (22-9, fighting out of Woburn, Mass.) against Raul Rosas Jr. (11-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
• UndefeatedDonte Johnson (7-0, fighting out of Fond du Lac, Wisc.) collides with Dusko Todorovic (13-6, fighting out of Belgrade, Serbia) at middleweight
• Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (14-7, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) takes on Xiao Long (27-10, fighting out of Hunan, China)
• Light heavyweights Rafael Tobias (14-1, fighting out of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil) and Diyar Nurgozhay (10-2, fighting out of Astana, Kazakhstan) meet in a clash of Dana White’s Contender Series signees
• Cody Durden (17-9-1, fighting out of Covington, Ga.) faces Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (9-1, fighting out of Bayanbulag, Bayankhongor Province, Mongolia) in a flyweight bout
• Sumudaerji (18-7, fighting out of Sichuan, China) squares off with Jesus Aguilar (12-3, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) at flyweight
• JooSang Yoo (9-1, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) battles Gaston Bolanos (8-5, fighting out of Dublin, Calif. by way of Lima, Peru) at featherweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Luke Fernandez (6-0, fighting out of Lacey Township, N.J.) makes his UFC debut against Rodolfo Bellato (12-3-1 1NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a light heavyweight bout

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® returns to Houston, Texas for the first time in four years with a high-stakes middleweight bout that sees former champion and current No. 3 ranked contender Sean Strickland lock horns with No. 4 Anthony Hernandez.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: STRICKLAND vs. HERNANDEZ takes place Saturday, February 21 in Houston, Texas at Toyota Center. 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 on Paramount+.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: STRICKLAND vs. HERNANDEZ will go on sale Fri., January 9 at 8 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at AXS.com and ToyotaCenter.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wed., January 7 at 8 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thurs., January 8 starting at8 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Strickland (29-7, fighting out of Corona, Calif.) returns to action looking to regain his momentum. A former champion of the 185-pound division, the American rose to the top of his weight class by taking out Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, and Nassourdine Imavov. Strickland now sets forth to deliver a statement performance against Hernandez and put himself back on the path to UFC gold.

Hernandez (15-2 1NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif.) aims for an emphatic win to kick off the year. Currently on an impressive eight-fight win streak, Hernandez has been dominant of late, collecting impressive wins over Brendan Allen, Roman Dolidze, and Michel Pereira. He aims to dispose of Strickland and solidify his spot as the next title contender. 

Additional bouts on the card include:

• No. 14 ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige(19-10, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Halewiwa, Hawaii) collides with Melquizael Costa(25-7, fighting out of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil)
• Heavyweight fireworks are set to go off as No. 7 ranked Serghei Spivac(17-6, fighting out of Chisinau, Republic of Moldova) faces off with Ante Delija(26-7, fighting out of Dubrovnik, Croatia)
• Middleweight action sees Dana White’s Contender Series signee Zachary Reese(10-2, fighting out of Houston, Texas by way of Shiner, Texas) collide with fan-favorite Michel Pereira(31-14, 2 NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners Jordan Leavitt(12-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Yadier del Valle(10-0, fighting out of Houston, Texas) go toe-to-toe at featherweight
• Welterweight action sees Austin Vanderford(13-3, fighting out of Portland, Ore.)take on Dana White’s Contender Series alumni Jean Paul Lebosnoyani(9-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) 
• Alden Coria(11-3, fighting out of Houston, Texas) faces Luis Gurule(10-2, fighting out of Sheridan, Colo.) at flyweight
• No. 12 ranked bantamweight contender Nora Cornolle(9-3, fighting out of Epinay sur Seine, France)squares off with No. 14 Joselyne EdwardsNo. 14 (16-6, fighting out of Panama City, Panama
• Dana White’s Contender Series welterweight contract winners Jacobe Smith(10-0, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) and Seokhyeon Ko(13-2, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) look to steal the show
• Flyweight veteran Ode’ Osbourne(13-9 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Milwaukee, Wisc.) battles Alibi Idiris(11-1, fighting out of Aktobe, Kazakhstan)
• Bantamweight contest sees The Ultimate Fighter season 30 tournament winner Juliana Miller(5-3, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.) takes on Carli Judice(5-2, fighting out of Lafayette, La.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series Chidi Njokuani(25-11, fighting out of Garland, Texas) clashes with Carlos Leal(22-7, fighting out Curitiba, Parana, Brazil) at welterweight

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® returns to Arena CDMX in Mexico City with an all-action flyweight matchup sure to deliver fireworks as former champion and No. 5 ranked contender Brandon Morenotakes on No. 7 Asu Almabayev in the main event. In addition, Top 10 women’s bantamweights collide as No. 7 ranked contender Macy Chiasson faces No. 8 Ailin Perez.  

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MORENO vs. ALMABAYEV takes place Saturday, February 28 in Mexico City. 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+.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: MORENO vs. ALMABAYEV will go on sale Fri., January 9 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at superboletos.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wed., January 7 at 10 a.m. CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thurs., January 8 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Mexico’s Moreno (29-3-2, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) intends to deliver another statement performance in his home country. A fan favorite for his consistently exciting contests, Moreno has entertained the masses in victories over Deiveson Figueiredo (twice), Kai Kara-France (twice), and Brandon Royval. He now looks to defend his home soil by delivering another highlight-reel finish as he faces Almabayev.

Rising contender Almabayev (23-3, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) plans to silence the crowd by taking out Moreno in dominant fashion. A submission ace, he owns notable wins over Alex Perez, Jose Ochoa and Matheus Nicolau. Almabayev now has his sights set on securing the most important victory of his career and breaking into the flyweight title conversation.  

Chiasson (11-5, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) aims to kick off her 2026 campaign with her arm raised. The featherweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 28, Chiasson has proven herself at 135-pounds with stoppages over Mayra Bueno Silva, Pannie Kianzad and Sarah Moras. She now seeks to defend her spot in the rankings by snapping Perez’s win streak in impressive fashion.

Rising contender Perez (12-2, fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina) has her sights set on securing her biggest victory yet and cracking the Top 5. Currently on a five-fight win streak, tied for the third longest in women’s bantamweight history, Perez holds wins over Karol Rosa, Darya Zheleznyakova and Joselyne Edwards. Perez now looks to keep her streak going and add Chiasson to her growing resume.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Dana White’s Contender Series signees look to impress in their UFC debuts as Damian Pinas (8-1, fighting out of Oranjestad, Aruba) battles Wes Schultz (8-2, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) at middleweight
• Ryan Gandra (8-1, fighting out of Minas Gerais, Brazil) meets Jose Daniel Medina (11-6, fighting out of Santa Cruz, Bolivia) in a middleweight contest
• Flyweight actions sees Edgar Chairez (12-6 1NC, fighting out of Baja California, Mexico) take on Felipe Bunes (14-8, fighting out of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil)
• The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series alum Imanol Rodriguez (6-0, fighting out of Baja California, Mexico) aims to keep his undefeated record intact against Kevin Borjas (10-4, fighting out of Lima, Peru) at flyweight
• Undefeated Santiago Luna (7-0, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) goes for another highlight-reel finish when he meets Angel Pacheco (7-3, fighting out of St. Cloud, Minn.)
• Bantamweights Cristian Quinonez (18-5, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) and Kris Moutinho (14-7, fighting out of Milford, Mass.) face off
• Sofia Montenegro (6-2, fighting out of Cordoba, Argentina) plans to impress in her UFC debut as she faces Ernesta Kareckaite (6-1-1, fighting out of Kaunas, Lithuania) in a flyweight contest

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. 

Paramount+ gave subscribers a first look at UFC archive content last Friday with the launch of its UFC fight library, marking a new era for UFC on Paramount+. The collection of archive content features “best of” compilations and select main cards from 2000 – 2025 with additional content being added regularly. The collection currently totals more than 1,400 assets including Spanish and Portuguese language fight programs.

The fan-favorite archive is organized into curated collections that allow viewers to easily explore iconic moments, legendary careers, current stars and unforgettable fights from UFC history. 

UFC archive content is organized by collection, including:

• Series – Select UFC Numbered Events from the 2000s, 2010s, and 2020 through 2025
• Legends – Career-defining bouts from UFC icons Georges St-Pierre, Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, and more
• Current Champions – Fight collections featuring all reigning UFC champions
• KO City – Highlight-reel stoppages and knockout finishes

The launch of the UFC archive library gives fans the opportunity to revisit iconic fights and legendary athletes ahead of UFC’s live debut on Paramount+ later this month with UFC® 324: GAETHJE vs. PIMBLETTon Saturday, January 24, from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Also highlighted in the UFC archive on Paramount+ are fights featuring former interim UFC Lightweight Champion and former BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje, fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Kayla Harrison, and UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes. All four fighters are preparing to headline the first live UFC event of the new Paramount+ era. This historic event marks the end of Pay-Per-View for UFC in the U.S. and Latin America, making the sport more accessible and affordable than ever before.

All UFC content on Paramount+, both live and archived, is available to all subscribers (essential and premium plans).  There are now 100’s of hours of UFC fights and events streaming on Paramount+ with more to come in the weeks and months ahead.  Explore the library by collection or visit ParamountPlus.com for more information.

***

About Paramount+

Paramount+ is a premium streaming subscription service delivering live sports, breaking news, and a Mountain of Entertainment™, and is a cornerstone of the Direct-to-Consumer division at Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY), a leading, next?generation global media and entertainment company. 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

LOS ANGELES and LAS VEGAS – December 6, 2025 – Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) and UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, today announced new seasons of the popular talent-discovery show DANA WHITE’S CONTENDER SERIES and the groundbreaking reality series THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER. Beginning in 2026, Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America, and Australia will become the exclusive home for all episodes of both series. The announcement was made today at CCXP in São Paolo, Brazil during the Paramount+ Thunder Stage presentation in a video segment from UFC President and CEO Dana White. 

The UFC showcase at CCXP was hosted by UFC broadcaster André Azevedo and featured Brazilian hero, current and two-time UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, and members of the popular Brazilian MMA team The Fighting Nerds: Bruna Basil, Caio Borralho, Carlos Prates and Jean Silva.

The addition of the two UFC fight series expands upon the original historic seven-year media rights partnership between UFC and Paramount announced in August in which Paramount+ becomes the exclusive home of UFC events in the U.S., and October’s announcement expanding rights to Latin America and Australia starting in 2026.  

DANA WHITE’S CONTENDER SERIES features a new crop of UFC hopefuls looking to impress Dana White and the UFC matchmakers for the chance to secure a contract with the UFC. The brainchild of UFC CEO Dana White, the hit series first aired in 2017 and has served as a springboard for the careers of numerous fighters who went on to be UFC champions, contenders and stars, including: Sean O’Malley, Jamahal Hill, Jack Della Maddalena, Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, Bo Nickal, Maycee Barber, Jailton Almeida, Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho, Johnny Walker and more. 

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER is the iconic reality television series that has introduced millions of new and die-hard fans to future UFC champions and top contenders. The show features professional MMA fighters living together, and follows them as they train and compete against each other for a prized contract with the UFC. Those whose careers have been shaped by their participation in The Ultimate Fighter include: Julianna Peña, Kamaru Usman, Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Rose Namajunas, Michael Bisping, Robert Whittaker, Nate Diaz, Tony Ferguson, T.J. Dillashaw, Matt Serra, Michael Chiesa, Al Iaquinta, Kelvin Gastelum, Uriah Hall and many others.

The UFC and Paramount partnership begins on Saturday, January 24 when UFC 324airs live on Paramount+, the first of 13 marquee numbered events scheduled in 2026, all included with a Paramount+ subscription, at no additional cost, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

*In Australia, Paramount+ subscribers will enjoy the preliminary fights for all marquee numbered events and all 30 UFC Fight Night events, included with their subscription, at no additional cost.

This expanded partnership, now including the two popular series focused on discovering the UFC stars of tomorrow, underscores Paramount’s commitment to delivering world-class sports experiences to global audiences. The company’s streaming service, Paramount+, is broadening its diverse offering of high-quality TV series, blockbuster movies, most-watched reality, and favorite kids’ content with one of the world’s most dynamic and influential sports franchises.

# # #

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 UFC®
UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 318 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.

LOS ANGELES and LAS VEGAS (November 27, 2025) – Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, (“Paramount”) (NASDAQ: PSKY) and UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization,today announced their first live event together, kicking off a historic partnership as Paramount+ becomes the exclusive home of UFC events in the U.S. and Latin America. On Saturday, January 24, fans can watch UFC 324, the first of 13 marquee numbered events scheduled in 2026–all included with a Paramount+ subscription, at no additional cost, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

UFC 324 will be headlined by two marquee championship fights. In the main event, lightweight superstars collide as former interim UFC lightweight champion and former BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje takes on fan favorite Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett in an interim UFC lightweight title fight. In the co-main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison looks to defend her title and lay claim to G.O.A.T status as she takes on UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, who returns to the Octagon for the first time since 2023. The announcement was made today, Thanksgiving Day, by Dana White during a special segment on CBS and Paramount+.

The main card of UFC® 324: GAETHJE vs. PIMBLETT will take place at an all-new start time of 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT. The prelims will start at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and the early prelims will kick off at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. All bouts will be available on Paramount+. 

This event marks a historic milestone for UFC fans in the U.S. and Latin America. For the first time in history, fans will enjoy unprecedented access to every marquee numbered event and all UFC Fight Night events exclusively on Paramount+, with no pay-per-view charge. *In Australia, Paramount+ subscribers will enjoy the preliminary fights for all marquee numbered events and all 30 UFC Fight Night events, included with their subscription, at no additional cost.

In support of this seminal partnership, Paramount has launched a 360° marketing campaign and unlocked remarkable integration across the entire Paramount ecosystem—Paramount+, CBS, TV Media including all cable networks, outdoor, in theaters, digital and social. The new brand spot, leveraging Hollywood’s highest profile franchises and cinematic giants, debuted today across all divisions demonstrating a unified commitment to elevating  UFC, its athletes  and its thrilling  live events. 

Throughout the weekend, the spot will continue in rotation across Paramount+, CBS, and TV media platforms as well as externally, airing during marquee sports programming on Black Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“Paramount+ and UFC are transforming the mixed martial arts fan experience,” said Cindy Holland, Chair of Direct-To-Consumer, Paramount. “Every division of Paramount is working in concert to ensure maximum visibility and unparalleled accessibility to current and future fans–making Paramount+ the definitive home of UFC.”

“Saturday, January 24th in Las Vegas kicks off this incredible partnership with Paramount,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “I am so excited for UFC fans that our first card has six current and former champions, including the long-awaited return of the greatest female fighter of all time – which is definitely the biggest women’s fight ever. Also, in the main event we have Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title to see who will face Ilia Topuria later this year on Paramount+. This card is absolutely stacked – every fight is a must-see. This deal is such a huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view. I look forward to 2026 being our best year ever.”

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC bantamweight champion and No. 2 ranked contender “Suga” Sean O’Malley (18-3, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) looks to get back into title contention against No. 5 ranked Song “Kung Fu Kid” Yadong (22-8-1, fighting out of Heilongjiang, China)
• Expect fireworks as No. 5 ranked heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta (16-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic) takes on UFC knockout king  and No. 8 ranked Derrick Lewis (29-12, fighting out of Houston, Texas)
• Featherweights lock horns as No. 6 ranked contender Arnold Allen (20-3, fighting out of Trimley St. Martin, Suffolk, England) takes on No. 11 Jean Silva (16-3, fighting out of São Paulo, Brazil)
• Former champions clash as No. 3 ranked women’s flyweight contender Alexa Grasso (16-5-1, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico) takes on No. 6 ranked “Thug” Rose Namajunas (15-7, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) in the featured prelim
• Don’t blink as rising star Ateba Gautier (9-1, fighting out of Doula Cameroon) takes on Andrey Pulyaev (10-3, fighting out of Novosibirsk, Russia) in a middleweight bout

UFC® 324: GAETHJE vs. PIMBLETT tickets will go on sale Fri., December 12 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at AXS.com. For the latest information on ticket information and additional bouts for this event, please visit UFC.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

UFC VIP Experience packages are also 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, meet-and-greets and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

###

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 UFC®
UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 330 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^® hosts its final event of 2025 at UFC APEX with an all-action flyweight main event as No. 3 ranked contender Brandon Royval goes toe-to-toe with No. 6 Manel Kape. Also on the card, No. 15 ranked featherweight contender Giga Chikadze returns to the Octagon to take on rising prospect Kevin Vallejos.  

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: ROYVAL vs. KAPE takes place Saturday, December 13 in Las Vegas. The prelims will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) beginning at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET and on ESPN2 which will join in progress at 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET. The main card available on ESPN2, ESPN Desportes and ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.

UFC 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.

Royval (17-8, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) intends to end the year on a high note and reinsert himself into the championship conversation at 125-pounds. Among the most exciting athletes on the UFC roster, Royval owns the record for the most Fight of the Night bonuses in UFC flyweight history with five, including those earned in victorious performances over Tatsuro Taira, Matt Schnell and Kai Kara-France. He now looks to put his well-rounded skills on display against Kape and secure another signature finish.

Exciting striker Kape (21-7, fighting out of Phuket, Thailand by way of Porto, Portugal) competes in his second UFC main event in a row aiming to deliver a statement performance. Tied for the second-most knockouts in UFC flyweight history, he has entertained fans with finishes over Asu Almabayev, Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Ode’ Osbourne. Kape now seeks to break into the Top 5 of the division by taking out Royval in dominant fashion. 

Chikadze (15-5, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.) plans to defend his spot in the rankings and prove he can still compete with the best in the world. A rangy striker with a Karate black belt, Chikadze holds notable knockout wins over Edson Barboza, Cub Swanson and Jamey Simmons. He now has his sights set on handing Vallejos his first UFC loss and turn his attention towards the top of the division.

Argentina’s Vallejos (16-1, fighting out of Buenos Aires, Argentina) makes his third Octagon appearance of 2025 focused on securing the biggest win of his young career. Still only 23 years old, Vallejos has already proven that is he a prospect to watch with victories over Danny Silva, SeungWoo Choi and Cam Teague. He now intends to become the first person to knockout Chikadze and launch himself into the featherweight rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• An intriguing welterweight bout sees veteran Neil Magny (31-14, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) look to spoil the anticipated UFC debut of Yaroslav Amosav (28-1, fighting out of Kiev, Ukraine)
• No. 5 ranked strawweight contender Amanda Lemos (15-5-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil) aims to defend her spot in the rankings against No. 10 Gillian Robertson (16-8, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.)
• Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-6, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) faces Marcus Buchecha (5-2, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) in a heavyweight contest
• An exciting featherweight tilt pits Joanderson Brito (17-5-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) against Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-3, fighting out of Glendale, Calif.)
• Featherweight strikers collide as Melquizael Costa (24-7, fighting out of Para, Brazil) faces Morgan Charriere (21-11-1, fighting out of Poissy, Île-de-France, France)
• Cesar Almeida (7-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) collides with Cezary Oleksiejczuk (16-3, fighting out of ??czna, Poland) in a middleweight bout
• Sean Sharaf(4-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Steven Asplund (6-1, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) vie for their first UFC wins in a heavyweight contest
• Bantamweight action sees No. 15 ranked contender Luana Santos (9-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) lock horns with Melissa Croden (7-2, fighting out of Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
• Undefeated debuting heavyweights Allen Frye Jr. (6-0, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) and Guilherme Pat (5-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) intend to impress
• Jamey-Lyn Horth (8-2, fighting out of Squamish, British Columbia, Canada) and Tereza Bleda (7-1, fighting out of Prague, Czech Republic) meet in a flyweight bout

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 ESPN+?? ??

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an action-packed welterweight matchup featuring No. 14 ranked contender Gabriel Bonfim and division veteran Randy Brownlocking horns in the main event. In addition, exciting flyweights Matt Schnelland The Ultimate Fighter season 33 winner Joseph Morales square off in the co-main event. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BONFIM vs. BROWN takes place Saturday, November 8 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will air at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET.

UFC 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.

Brazil’s Bonfim (18-1, fighting out of Brasília, Brazil) sets forth to deliver fireworks once more. The Dana White’s Contender Seriesstandout has made an impact in his division by securing wins against formidable opponents such as Stephen Thompson, Khaos Williams, and Trevin Giles. Bonfim now has his sights set on delivering an impressive performance against Brown and continue his climb up the ranks.

Brown (20-6, fighting out of Queens, N.Y., by way of Spanish Town, Jamaica) returns to competition looking for his second win in the 2025 season. A 10-year Octagon veteran, Brown has earned his stripes by delivering notable finishes against tough foes such as Nicolas Dalby, Muslim Salikhov, and Bryan Barberena. He now plans to make the most of his first UFC main event and add Bonfim to his highlight reel. 

Schnell (17-9 1 NC, fighting out of Shreveport, La.) looks for back-to-back wins. Since making his debut back in 2016, Schnell has become a fan-favorite with his performances over the likes of Jimmy Flick, Su Mudaerji, and Tyson Nam. He now looks to remind Morales and the rest of the 125-pound division why he’s one of the best in his class. 

Morales (13-2, fighting out of Sacrament, Calif.) aims to make another splash. Most recently defeating Alibi Idiris to become the winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 33, Morales looks to keep his momentum going and secure a second straight win. He now aims to steal the show and deliver a statement against Schnell.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• All-action welterweights Muslim Salikhov (22-5, fighting out of Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia) and Uroš Medi?(10-3, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska by way of Novi Sad, Serbia) meet
• Lightweights Chris Padilla (16-6, fighting out of Gardena, Calif.) and Dana White’s Contender Series signee Ismael Bonfim(20-5, fighting out of fighting out of Brasília, Brazil) go toe-to-toe
• All-action bantamweights Ricky Simon(22-6, fighting out of Vancouver, Wash.) and Raoni Barcelos(20-5, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) square off
• An exciting middleweight contest sees Christian Leroy Duncan(12-2, fighting out of Gloucester, England)look to build on his momentum by handing Dana White’s Contender Series signee standout Marco Tulio(14-1, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) his first Octagon loss
• Dana White’s Contender Series featherweightcontract winners Hyder Amil(11-1, fighting out of The Bay Area, Calif. by way of Cebu City, Philipines) and Jamall Emmers (21-8, fighting out of Redlands, Calif.) lock horns
• Dana White’s Contender Series bantamweight alumniAdrian Yanez(17-6, fighting out of Houston, Texas) and Cristian Quiñonez(18-5, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) meet in a battle of exciting strikers
• Top ranked bantamweights No.10 Mayra Bueno Silva(10-5-1, fighting out of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) and No. 11 Jacqueline Cavalvanti(9-1, fighting out of Almada, Portugal) clash
• Undefeated Dana White’s Contender Seriescontract winner Josh Hokit(6-0, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) makes a quick turnaround to welcome UFC newcomer Max Gimenis(6-1, fighting out of Elliot City, Md.) to the heavyweight division
• Dana White’s Contender Series signees Miles Johns(15-4, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) and Daniel Marcos(17-7 1NC, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla. by way of Lima, Peru) square off
• No. 13 ranked strawweight Tecia Pennington(15-7, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo. by way of Fall River, Mass.) takes on Dana White’s Contender Series signee and No. 15 Denise Gomes(11-3, fighting out of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) 
• Jackson McVey(6-1, fighting out of St. Charles, Miss.) looks for his first UFC win as he faces off against The Ultimate Fighter season 32 finalist Robert Valentin(11-6 1 NC, fighting out of Zurich, Switzerland)

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 ESPN+?? ??

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® 323 comes to Las Vegas with a pair of thrilling championship matchups. In the main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili goes for a record-breaking fourth title defense in a calendar year as he rematches with former champion and No. 2 ranked Petr Yan. The co-main event will see UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja take on No. 1 ranked contender Joshua Van in a highly anticipated contest.  

UFC^® 323: DVALISHVILI vs. YAN 2 will take place Saturday, December 6 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. The prelims will be available at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT. Coverage details will be announced soon.

UFC^® 323 tickets will go on sale Friday, October 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 Wednesday, October 22 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket presale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, October 23 at 10 a.m. PT. To access the presale, 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, meet-and-greets and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

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

No. 3 ranked pound-for-pound fighter Dvalishvili (21-4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Tiblisi, Georgia) steps into the Octagon for a fourth time in 2025 looking to add another UFC record to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. Currently on the longest win streak in UFC bantamweight history at 13, he has made his case as the greatest 135-pounder of all time with dominant performances over Cory Sandhagen, Sean O’Malley (twice) and Henry Cejudo. Dvalishvili now intends to make his biggest statement yet by replicating his 2023 win over Yan in a shutout performance.

Yan (19-5, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia) aims to make the most of his second opportunity with Dvalishvili and reclaim his spot at the top of the bantamweight division. The former champion has never been finished in his MMA career and earned his current shot at UFC gold with notable wins over Song Yadong, Deiveson Figueiredo and Marcus McGhee. Yan now has his sights set on spoiling Dvalishvili’s historic ambitions with a signature display of the skills that make him one of the most feared competitors in the 135-pound class.

UFC flyweight king Pantoja (30-5, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Arraial Do Cabo, Brazil) is on his own quest to be recognized as the best to ever do it at 125-pounds. The owner of the most wins (14) and finishes (8) in UFC flyweight history, Pantoja has earned the respect of fans and fighters alike with impressive victories over Kai Kara-France, Kai Asakura and Steve Erceg. He now seeks to deliver his best outing yet against the upstart Van in one of the most anticipated flyweight bouts in recent memory.

Van (15-2, fighting out of Houston, Texas) sets out to prove that he has all the skills to back up the hype that has earned him the No. 1 contender spot at flyweight. Still just 24 years old, he has made himself known amongst fans as can’t-miss viewing by landing the highest significant strikes per minute in UFC history (8.86) throughout his wins over Brandon Royval, Bruno Silva and Rei Tsuruya. Van now looks to become the first UFC champion born after the year 2000 by upsetting Pantoja in dramatic fashion.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Thrilling light heavyweight action sees former champion and No. 4 ranked Jan Blachowicz (29-11-1, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) take on the marauding No. 11 ranked Bogdan Guskov (18-3, fighting out of Dukent, Uzbekistan)
• Top 5 flyweights collide as former champion and No. 2 ranked Brandon Moreno (23-8-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Tijuana, Mexico) battles No. 5 Tatsuro Taira (17-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Okinawa, Japan)
• Former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo (16-5, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) returns to the Octagon to defend his No. 10 spot in the bantamweight rankings against rising star Payton Talbott (10-1, fighting out of Reno, Nev.)
• No. 14 ranked UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori (19-9-1, fighting out of Mezzocorona, Italy) faces Brunno Ferreira (14-2, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) in an all-action contest
• No. 6 ranked UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber(14-2, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) aims to defend her spot in the rankings against No. 9 ranked Karine Silva (19-5, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Lightweight strikers collide as Edson Barboza (24-13, fighting out of Rio de Janiero, Brazil) matches up with Jalin Turner (14-9, fighting out of San Bernardino, Calif.)
• Rising lightweight contenders aim to impress as Nazim Sadykhov (11-1-1, fighting out of Brooklyn, N.Y. by way of Baku, Azerbaijan) and Fares Ziam (17-4, fighting out of Lyon, France) go toe-to-toe
• Muhammad Naimov (13-3, fighting out of Dushanbe, Tajikistan) meets The Ultimate Fighter season 32 featherweight winner Mairon Santos (17-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in an exciting 145-pound bout
• Dana White’s Contender Series season 9 signee Iwo Baraniewski (6-0, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) intends to impress in his UFC debut against Ibo Aslan (14-3, fighting out of Istanbul, Turkey)
• No. 14 ranked UFC lightweight contender Grant Dawson (23-2-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) takes on formidable striker Manuel Torres (16-3, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico)
• Terrance McKinney (17-7, fighting out of Spokane, Wash.) and Chris Duncan (14-2, fighting out of Glasgow, Scotland) lock horns in a must-see lightweight tilt
• Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets Antonio Trocoli (12-5 1NC, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) 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 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, Twitter and Instagram.

All of ESPN. All in One Place.

ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans within the ESPN App. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, the ESPN App provides a unique viewing experience that includes integrated game stats, multiview options, a synchronized two-screen feature, a vertical video feature called Verts and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as ESPN BET information, ESPN Fantasy sports, commerce, and more. These new features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an all-action featherweight matchup sure to deliver fireworks as No. 12 ranked contender Steve Garcia takes on No. 13 David Onama in the main event. In addition, No. 6 ranked heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta faces off with No. 9 Ante Delija.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: GARCIA vs. ONAMA takes place Saturday, November 1 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will air at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET.

UFC 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.

Garcia (18-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) intends to make the most of his first UFC main event. Known for his striking power, Garcia is currently riding a six-fight win streak, including five knockouts in a row over the likes of Kyle Nelson, Melquizael Costa and Chase Hooper. He now sets forth to defend his spot in the rankings against Onama and turn his attention towards the top of the division.

The always-exciting Onama (14-2, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo. by way of Kyangwali, Uganda) returns to action for the second time in 2025. On a four-fight win streak of his own, he earned his spot in the Top 15 with victories over Giga Chikadze, Roberto Romero and Jonathan Pearce. Onama now looks to secure another signature stoppage by taking out Garcia.

Cortes Acosta (14-2, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz. by way of Fundacion, Barahona, Dominican Republic) makes his fourth Octagon appearance of the year. One of the most active heavyweight contenders, Cortes Acosta has impressed fans with wins over Serghei Spivac, Ryan Spann and Andrei Arlovski. He now aims to build another long win streak by halting Delija in highlight-reel fashion.

Croatia’s Delija (26-6, fighting out of Dubrovnik, Croatia) makes a quick turnaround to continue his ascent up the heavyweight ladder. A well-rounded mixed martial artist with 19 finishes to his name, Delija made headlines with his first-round knockout of veteran Marcin Tybura in September. He now plans to prove that win was no fluke with an equally impressive performance against Cortes Acosta. 

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Phil Rowe (11-5, fighting out of Orlando, Fla.) and Seokhyeon Ko (12-2, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) square off in an intriguing welterweight contest
• Top 5 bantamweights collide as No. 3 Ketlen Vieira (15-4, fighting out of Manuas, Amazonas, Brazil) battles No. 4 Norma Dumont (12-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Flyweight actions sees Allan Nascimento (21-6, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) lock horns with Rafael Estevam (14-0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Jeremiah Wells (12-4-1, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.) and Themba Gorimbo (14-5, fighting out of Johannesburg, South Africa) face off in a welterweight contest
• Alice Ardelean (10-7, fighting out of Birmingham, England) returns against Montserrat Conejo Ruiz (10-4, fighting out of El Paso, Texas by way of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico) at strawweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Donte Johnson (6-0, fighting out of Fond du Lac, Wisc.) looks to impress in his UFC debt against Nick Klein (6-3, fighting out of Adell, Wisc.)
• Charles Radtke (10-5, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) and Daniel Frunza (9-3, fighting out of Miami, Fla. by way of Iasi, Romania) collide in an explosive welterweight matchup
• A light heavyweight bout pits Billy Elekana (8-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) against Dana White’s Contender Series signee Kevin Christian (9-2, fighting out of Rio Preto da Eva, Amazonas, Brazil)
• Timmy Cuamba (9-3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and ChangHo Lee (11-1, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) go head-to-head in a bantamweight bout
• An exciting featherweight fixture sees Isaac Dulgarian (7-1, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) take on the undefeated Yadier del Valle (9-0, fighting out of Houston, Texas)
• Talita Alencar (6-1-1, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Carutapera, Maranhão, Brazil) and Ariane Carnelossi (15-3, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) compete at strawweight

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 ESPN+?? ??

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Madison Square Garden with a historic card headlined by pair of championship super fights. In the main event, UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena looks to fend off former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The co-main event will see No. 1 ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter and UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defend her title against No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound Zhang Weili.

UFC^® 322: DELLA MADDALENA vs. MAKHACHEV takes place Sat., November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPNNEWS, ESPN Deportes and Disney+, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+, Disney+ and UFC Fight Pass.

UFC^® 322: DELLA MADDALENA vs. MAKHACHEV will go on sale Fri., September 19 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., September 17 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., September 18 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC welterweight titleholder Della Maddalena (18-2, fighting out of Perth, Western Australia) aims to kick off his reign as champion with an all-time performance. Currently on an 18-fight winning streak, he has proven he has all the tools to hold the belt for the foreseeable future with victories over Belal Muhammad, Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland. Della Maddalena now looks to etch his name in the history books by taking out Makhachev in highlight-reel fashion.

Former UFC lightweight champion Makhachev (27-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) takes his 15-fight winning streak to the welterweight division, aiming to join a select group of fighters in UFC history to win belts in two divisions. The No. 1 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Makhachev earned his distinction as one of the best of all time with notable victories over Dustin Poirier, Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira. He now has his sights set on leaving no doubt that he is the most skilled fighter in the UFC with a win in The World’s Most Famous Arena.

Shevchenko (25-4-1, fighting out of Bishkek, Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan) plans to add to her remarkable resume with another win over a fellow champion. The greatest flyweight in UFC history, Shevchenko holds several divisional records, including most wins, most knockouts, most takedowns, most strikes and most control time. She now intends to cement herself as one of the greatest of all time with a dominant display against Zhang.

Two-time UFC strawweight champion Zhang (26-3, fighting out of Beijing, China) seeks to become just the second woman to win UFC belts in two different divisions. One of the most dominant athletes in the 115-pound division’s history, she rose through the pound-for-pound ranks with impressive victories over Tatiana Suarez, Carla Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Zhang now aims to start another reign in a new division by stopping Shevchenko.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC welterweight champion and No. 4 ranked contender Leon Edwards (22-5 1NC, fighting out of Birmingham, England) returns to action against No. 9 ranked Carlos Prates (22-7, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• Top flyweight contenders collide as No. 4 ranked Erin Blanchfield (13-2, fighting out of Saddle Brook, N.J.) meets No. 8 Tracy Cortez (12-2, fighting out of Scottsdale, Ariz.)
• An exciting middleweight bout sees No. 15 ranked contender Roman Kopylov (14-4, fighting out of Bachatsky, Kemerovo, Russia) battle Gregory Rodrigues (17-6, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil)
• Bo Nickal (7-1, fighting out of Pleasant Gap, Penn.) and Rodolfo Vieira (11-3, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) lock horns in a clash of middleweight grapplers
• Undefeated Dana White’s Contender Series signee Baisangur Susurkaev (10-0, fighting out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. by way of Chechnya, Russia) returns against Eric McConico (10-3-1, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) at middleweight

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 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 Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment, delivering unforgettable experiences while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. The Company’s portfolio includes a collection of world-renowned venues – New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre – that showcase a broad array of sporting events, concerts, family shows, and special events for millions of guests annually. In addition, the Company features the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, which has been a holiday tradition for more than 90 years. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com. ??

About ESPN+

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Vancouver – UFC^® returns to Vancouver with a pivotal middleweight contenders’ tilt between No. 5 ranked Reinier De Ridder and No. 6 Anthony Hernandez. Former title challenger and No. 7 ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Vera collides with surging No. 10 Aiemann Zahabi. Also, a high-stakes flyweight contenders’ bout sees recent title challenger and No. 2 ranked Manon Fiorot battle Canadian No. 5 Jasmine Jasudavicius.

The event will be held in partnership with Destination Vancouver.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DE RIDDER vs. HERNANDEZ takes place at Rogers Arena on Saturday, October 18, with the main card live at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The prelims will start at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DE RIDDER vs. HERNANDEZ tickets will go on sale Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. PT via UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, August 21 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Please click here to apply for UFC Fight Night media credentials.

De Ridder (21-2, fighting out of Breda, Netherlands) aims to stake his claim for a title shot by delivering another highlight-reel finish. A talented submission specialist, he has secured thrilling victories over Robert Whittaker, Bo Nickal and Gerald Meerschaert. De Ridder now looks to push his win streak to five bouts by dispatching Hernandez.

Hernandez (15-2 1NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif., USA) plans to continue his momentum by netting his ninth consecutive victory. A relentless competitor, he has earned notable wins against Roman Dolidze, Brendan Allen and Roman Kopylov. Hernandez now hopes to crack the Top 5 by becoming the first fighter to finish De Ridder in the UFC.

Vera (23-10-1, fighting out of Chone, Manabi, Ecuador) hopes to deliver a vintage performance against another rising contender. Among the most exciting finishers at bantamweight, he holds spectacular stoppages over Dominick Cruz, Frankie Edgar and Sean O’Malley. Vera now intends to finish Zahabi and prove he is still among the best in the world.

Canadian standout Zahabi (13-2, fighting out of Montreal, Que.) plans to continue his ascent up the 135-pound division. Currently ron a six-fight win streak, he holds exciting victories over Jose Aldo, Pedro Munhoz and Javid Basharat. Zahabi now intends turn heads by finishing Vera and securing a crack at a Top 5 opportunity.

Recent title challenger Fiorot (12-2, fighting out of Nice, France) has her sight set on a show-stealing performance against a rising contender. A talented striker, she holds notable victories over Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas and Katlyn Cerminara. Fiorot now plans to defend her spot in the rankings by halting Jasudavicius’ momentum.

Jasudavicius (14-3, fighting out of Niagara, Ont.) looks to continue her hot streak by taking out a Top 5 contender. Currently riding a five-fight win streak, she holds impressive finishes against Jessica Andrade, Ariane da Silva and Priscila Cachoeira. Jasudavicius now intends to insert her name into the title conversation by stopping Fiorot in emphatic fashion.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Kevin Holland (28-14 1NC, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas, USA) locks horns with Mike Malott (12-2-1, fighting out of Burlington, Ont.) in an exciting welterweight bout
• Azamat Bekoev (20-3, fighting out of Fairfield, N.J., USA by way of Nalchik, Russia) faces Yousri Belgaroui (8-3, fighting out of Amsterdam, the Netherlands) in a middleweight bout
• No. 14 ranked flyweight contender Bruno Silva (14-7-2 1NC, fighting out of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil) squares off with HyunSung Park (10-1, fighting out of Gyeonggi-do, South Korea)
• Danny Barlow (9-1, fighting out of Memphis, Tenn., USA) meets Djorden Santos (10-2, fighting out of Brasília, DF, Brazil) at middleweight
• Stephanie Luciano (6-2-1, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil) takes on Ravena Oliveira Morais (7-2-1, fighting out of Miguel Calmon, Bahia, Brazil) in strawweight bout

For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit UFC.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

###

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 CSE

Canucks Sports & Entertainment is Western Canada’s sports & entertainment leader providing world class entertainment in multiple venues in British Columbia. From watching one’s first NHL game to singing along with a favourite artist, Canucks Sports & Entertainment strives to create unforgettable moments that inspire, excite, and unite us all. Regardless of the score, the event or the night, our goal is to provide a world class experience for you and your guests from the moment you arrive, to the end of the event.

LOS ANGELES, CA and NEW YORK, NY – August 11, 2025 – Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, (“Paramount”) (NASDAQ: PSKY) and TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (“TKO”) (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced a seven-year media rights agreement in which Paramount will become the exclusive home of all UFC events in the U.S.

Starting in 2026, Paramount will exclusively distribute UFC’s full slate of 13 marquee numbered events and 30 Fight Nights via its direct-to-consumer streaming platform, Paramount+, with select numbered events to be simulcast on CBS, Paramount’s leading broadcast network.

As part of the agreement, UFC and Paramount will move away from UFC’s existing Pay-Per-View model in favor of making these premium events available at no additional cost to the expansive U.S. subscriber base of Paramount+. This shift in distribution strategy will unlock greater accessibility and discoverability for sports fans and provide an important catalyst for driving engagement and further subscriber growth for Paramount+. Paramount intends to explore UFC rights outside the U.S. as they become available in the future.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join forces with Dana, Ari, and Mark. Rarely do opportunities arise to partner on an exclusive basis with a global sports powerhouse like UFC – an organization with extraordinary global recognition, scale, and cultural impact,” said David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount. “Paramount’s advantage lies in the expansive reach of our linear and streaming platforms. Live sports continue to be a cornerstone of our broader strategy — driving engagement, subscriber growth, and long-term loyalty, and the addition of UFC’s year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win. We look forward to delivering this premium content to millions of fans in the U.S., and potentially beyond.”

“This is a milestone moment and landmark deal for UFC, solidifying its position as a preeminent global sports asset,” said Ariel Emanuel, Executive Chair and CEO, TKO. “Our decade-long journey with UFC has been defined by continuous growth and expansion, and this agreement is an important realization of our strategy. We believe wholeheartedly in David’s vision and look forward to being in business with a company that will prioritize technology as a means to enhance storytelling and the overall viewing experience.”

“Paramount is a platinum partner with significant reach,” said Mark Shapiro, President and COO, TKO. “Our new agreement unlocks powerful opportunities at TKO for years to come – meaningful economics for investors; expanded premium inventory for global brand partners; and deeper engagement for UFC’s passionate fanbase. Just as importantly, our athletes will love this new stage.”

UFC is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. UFC events take place year-round with approximately 43 live events annually, delivering more than 350 hours of live event content. In the U.S., UFC has approximately 100 million fans who are highly engaged across linear, digital, and social platforms. Further, UFC is one of the few truly global sports properties, with programming reaching nearly 950 million broadcast and digital households across more than 210 countries and territories in 50 languages, as well as a roster of approximately 600 of the world’s best male and female MMA athletes representing 75 countries.

The seven-year term, which begins in 2026, has an average annual value (“AAV”) of $1.1 billion. The contract’s payment schedule is weighted more toward the back end of the deal.

# # #

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 UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 318 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 TKO
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Las Vegas with a highly anticipated UFC light heavyweight championship rematch between titleholder Magomed Ankalaev and No. 1 ranked challenger Alex Pereira. In the co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvilitakes on No. 4 ranked challenger Cory Sandhagen. 

UFC^® 320: ANKALAEV vs. PEREIRA 2 will take place Saturday, October 4 at T-Mobile Arena with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, and Disney+, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT on ESPN+, Disney+, and UFC Fight Pass. 

UFC^® 320 tickets will go on sale Friday, August 8 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, August 6 at 10 a.m. PT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket presale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, August 7 at 10 a.m. PT. To access the presale, 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, meet-and-greets and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

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

Ankalaev (20-1-1 1NC, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) looks to settle his rivalry with Pereira in dominant fashion. Most recently dethroning Pereira to become champion, Ankalev made a name for himself in the 205-pound division by defeating top ranked contenders such as Aleksandar Raki?, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith on his path to gold. He now sets forth to deliver a statement performance against Pereira and kickstart an unforgettable title reign.

Pereira (12-3, fighting out of Danbury, Conn. By way of São Paulo, Brazil) returns to action looking for redemption. Since making his Octagon debut in 2021, Pereira, a two-division world champion, has become a must-watch competitor, building a legendary resume by knocking out former champions such as Israel Adesanya, Ji?í Procházka, and Jamahal Hill. He now aims to dispose of Ankalaev and reclaim the light heavyweight crown. 

Dvalishvili (20-4, fighting out of Long Island, N.Y. by way of Tbilisi, Georgia) sets out to defend the bantamweight title for a third time in 2025. Currently on a 12-fight win streak and the No. 3 ranked Men’s Pound-for-Pound fighter, he has become one of the world’s best by taking out the likes of Sean O’Malley (x2), Umar Nurmagomedov, and Henry Cejudo. Dvalishvili now looks to add a win over Sandhagen to his list of accolades and further solidify his spot as one of the greatest of all time. 

Sandhagen (18-5, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.) sets out for the biggest fight of his career. The Colorado native has become a top ranked competitor by collecting wins against formidable opponents such as Deiveson Figueiredo, Rob Font, and Marlon Vera. Sandhagen now sets his sights on Dvalishvili as he looks to achieve his dream of becoming a UFC champion. 

Additional bouts on the card include:

• A high-stakes light heavyweight contest sees No. 2 ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka(31-5-1, fighting out of Brno, Czech Republic) collide with No. 4 Khalil Rountree Jr.(15-6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.)
• No. 14 ranked UFC middleweight Abus Magomedov (28-6-1, fighting out of Düsseldorf, Germany) takes on Dana White’s Contender Series standout Joe Pyfer(14-3, fighting out of Philadelphia, Penn.)
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Ateba Gautier(8-1, fighting out of Yaounde, Cameroon) makes a quick turnaround and faces off against Ozzy Diaz(10-3, fighting out of Downtown Los Angeles, Calif.) 
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winners Edmen Shahbazyan(15-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) and Andre Muniz(24-7, fighting out of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil) are set for middleweight action 
• Flyweights Veronica Hardy(9-5-1, fighting out of New York, N.Y. by way of Caracas, Venezuela) and The Ultimate Fighterseason 30 finalist Brogan Walker(8-4, fighting out of Hagatna, Guam) lock horns
• Top ranked bantamweight competitors No. 5 Macy Chiasson(31-5-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas by way of New Orleans, La.) and No. 9 Yana Santos(16-8 1NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla. by way of Saint Petersburg, Russia) look to steal the show 

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 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, Twitter and Instagram.

Abu Dhabi, UAE: UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, returns to the UAE capital in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) for the highly anticipated UFC® 321. Taking place on Saturday, October 25 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the event will feature an electrifying showdown between UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and no.1 contender Ciryl Gane.

UFC® 321 tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. GST on Friday, July 25 via ticketmaster.ae, while hotel packages are available via etihadarena.ae. Early access to tickets will be available from 1 p.m. GST on Thursday, July 24, for those who registered their interest.

VIP Experience packages will be available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Fans can enjoy exclusive access with premium seating, VIP weigh-in access, all-inclusive hospitality, athlete meet-and-greets and more. For full package details, visit UFCVIP.com.

UFC® 321 is the second UFC event scheduled in Abu Dhabi this year. In recent years, Abu Dhabi has hosted some of the highest-calibre UFC bouts, featuring world champions, rising stars, and unforgettable moments. From Khabib Nurmagomedov’s dominant title defense at UFC® 242 to the thrilling showdown between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway at UFC® 308, the city has further cemented its status as a global stage for world-class MMA action.

Heavyweight champion Aspinall (15-3, fighting out of Manchester, England) returns to the Octagon® looking to cement his legacy in the heavyweight division. A well-rounded finisher with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aspinall secured his title with a stunning first-round KO of Sergei Pavlovich. He also boasts dominant wins over Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Andrei Arlovski, and now aims to defend his belt for the first time as the undisputed heavyweight king.

Former interim champion Gane (13-2, fighting out of Paris, France) looks to make history in his first appearance of 2025. Known for his elite footwork and striking finesse, Gane rose through the heavyweight ranks with impressive victories over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Alexander Volkov. The French star now sets his sights on another statement win as he attempts to reclaim UFC gold.

• Additional bouts on the card include:
  Aleksandar Rakic (14-5, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) will take on undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (15-0, fighting out of New Jersey, USA) in a light heavyweight matchup.
• Two heavyweight contenders face off as Alexander Volkov (38-11, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) takes on Jailton Almeida (22-3, fighting out of Salvador, Brazil).
• Azat Maksum (15-2, fighting out of Kaskelen, Kazakhstan) faces Mitch Raposo (9-3, fighting out of Massachusetts, USA), who looks to get back in the win column, in a flyweight fight.
• Ikram Aliskerov (16-2, fighting out of Dagestan, Russia) takes on vs JunYong Park (19-6, fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) in what promises to be a thrilling middleweight fight.
• Hamdy Abdelwahab (4-1, fighting out of New York, USA, by way of Egypt) faces off against Chris Barnett (23-9, fighting out of Florida, USA) in a heavyweight bout.

For further information on UFC® 321 and to stay updated with Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, 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 309 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 950 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 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 Frost Bank Center in San Antonio to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with a highly anticipated featherweight clash between No. 3 ranked contender Diego Lopes and No. 10 Jean Silva. Also on the card, No. 2 ranked strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez and No. 4 ranked Amanda Lemos collide with title aspirations on the line.

NOCHE UFC: LOPES vs. SILVA takes place Saturday, September 13 in San Antonio and will be available exclusively on ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will start at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT, followed by the main card at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.

NOCHE UFC: LOPES vs. SILVA tickets go on sale Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, July 24 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

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

Former featherweight title challenger and Mexico resident Lopes (26-7, fighting out of Puebla, México by way of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) sets out to secure another highlight-reel victory. A well rounded athlete, he has proven he can finish anyone, anywhere in victories over Sodiq Yusuff, Pat Sabatini and Gavin Tucker. Lopes now aims to defend his spot in the divisional rankings by becoming the first man to defeat Silva in the UFC.

Silva (16-2, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) aims to earn the biggest victory of his career and vault himself into the championship conversation. A fan favorite for his all-action fighting style, Silva has finished an impressive 15 of his 16 wins, including those over Bryce Mitchell, Melsik Baghdasaryan and Drew Dober. He now intends to keep his momentum going by taking out Lopes in dominant fashion.

Mexican-American Suarez (11-1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) returns to the Octagon looking to deliver another statement performance. One of the most credentialed grapplers in MMA, Suarez has become a top contender at 115 pounds by defeating former UFC champions Jessica Andrade, Carla Esparza and Alexa Grasso. She now sets forth to put her submission skills to the test against Lemos and solidify her position at the top of the division.

Lemos (15-4-1, fighting out of Para, Brazil) competes for the second time in 2025 aiming to break into the Top 5 rankings. A powerful striker with the most knockdowns landed in UFC strawweight history (6), she has worked her way up the divisional ladder with notable victories over Iasmin Lucindo, Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez. Lemos now has her sights set on earning another post-fight bonus by finishing Suarez.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former UFC bantamweight champion and current No. 2 ranked contender Raquel Pennington (16-10, fighting out of Colorado Spring, Colo.) takes on No. 4 ranked Norma Dumont (12-2, fighting out of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Submission ace Claudio Puelles (13-4, fighting out of Lima, Peru) intends to become the first man to submit Joaquim Silva (13-6, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) in a lightweight bout
• An exciting flyweight bout pits Edgar Chairez (12-6 1NC, fighting out of Mexicali, Baja California Mexico) against Alessandro Costa (14-4, fighting out of Puebla, Mexico)
• Lightweight action sees Rafa Garcia (17-4, fighting out of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico) battle Jared Gordon (21-7 1NC, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.)
• Jose Daniel Medina (11-5, fighting out of Santa Cruz, Bolivia) faces Dusko Todorovic (12-6, fighting out of Belgrade, Serbia) in an all-action middleweight contest
• Flyweights Jesus Aguilar (11-3, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico) and Luis Gurule (10-1, fighting out of Sheridan, Colo.) lock horns
• Montserrat Rendon (6-1, fighting out of Cancun, Mexico) aims to spoil the UFC debut of Alice Pereira (5-0, fighting out of Bahia, Brazil) in a bantamweight tilt

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 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 Frost Bank Center

The premier entertainment venue in South Texas, the newly named Frost Bank Center is home to the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The Bexar County-owned arena has also hosted hundreds of concerts and special events since opening in 2002 and underwent a $110+ million renovation in 2015 to enhance the fan experience at all levels. For more information go to frostbankcenter.com.

About ESPN+  

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 25.3 million subscribers. Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $9.99 a month (or $99.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices).      

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Doha, Qatar: UFC®, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization, brings the Octagon® to Qatar for the first time on Saturday, November 22. In partnership with Visit Qatar, this action-packed Fight Night at Doha’s state-of-the-art ABHA Arena marks a milestone moment for regional fans and UFC’s global rise.

Fans are encouraged to register their interest via UFC.com/Qatar to have the best chance of securing tickets early.

Set for November 22, the unforgettable debut of UFC® FIGHT NIGHT DOHA will deliver a stacked lineup of thrilling bouts, spotlighting the best in combat sports and live entertainment. Marking a major milestone in UFC’s regional expansion, the event brings the electrifying energy of a blockbuster showdown to fans in Doha and across the Middle East.

Known for hosting world-class sporting events, Qatar adds another milestone with the debut of UFC® FIGHT NIGHT DOHA. This event contributes to Qatar’s goal of becoming a leading global destination for sport.

Dana White, UFC President and CEO, commented: “I’ve always said we’re going to take UFC all over the world—and Qatar is the next stop. They already hosted the World Cup and Formula 1, and now we’re bringing a UFC Fight Night there for the first time. Our fights in the Middle East are always incredible so I can’t wait to get out there.”

Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar said: “This collaboration marks a significant step that reflects our continued commitment to positioning Qatar as a leading global destination for major sporting events. The event forms part of a vibrant season of major activities, supported by ongoing infrastructure development and notable growth in the events and conferences sector. The inclusion of UFC, with its fanbase of over 700 million worldwide, underscores this strategic direction and offers a unique platform to showcase Qatar’s sporting excellence and cultural richness. We look forward to welcoming the UFC community and visitors from all around the world to Doha this November for an exceptional experience that highlights our capabilities and strengthens our international partnerships.”

With a soon-to-be-announced fight card, the highly anticipated inaugural UFC® FIGHT NIGHT DOHA will see some of UFC’s most talented athletes enter the Octagon® for a must-see event for both longtime and new UFC fans in the region.

For more information on this historic event and for the latest updates visit ufc.com. For those looking for details on local attractions and travel tips, visit the official tourism site at visitqatar.com.

ENDS

About UFC®

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 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 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 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 Visit Qatar

Visit Qatar is the main arm of Qatar Tourism. Visit Qatar’s mission is to promote and expand tourism in Qatar by cultivating its rich culture, developing thrilling attractions, enhancing Qatar’s calendar, becoming the leading MICE destination in the region, diversifying events and luxury experiences. Visit Qatar is rooted in Service Excellence, boosting the entire tourism value chain, and increasing local and international visitor demand in Qatar. Through Visit Qatar’s network of international offices in priority markets, cutting-edge digital platforms, and marketing campaigns, Visit Qatar is expanding Qatar’s presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.

Web: www.visitqatar.com

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a thrilling middleweight matchup featuring No. 8 ranked contender Roman Dolidze taking on No. 9 Anthony Hernandez in the main event. In addition, No. 7 ranked flyweight Alex Perez locks horns with No. 9 Steve Erceg.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DOLIDZE vs. HERNANDEZ takes place Saturday, August 9 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will air at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.

UFC 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.

Georgia’s Dolidze (15-3, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) looks for a second straight main event win. The battle-hardened veteran has wowed fans with dominant performances against notable names such as Marvin Vettori, Kevin Holland, and Anthony Smith. Dolidze now sets forth to defend his spot in the rankings by stopping Hernandez in impressive fashion.

Hernandez (14-2 1NC, fighting out of Dunnigan, Calif.) returns to action looking to build on his momentum and further his climb up the rankings. Currently on a seven-fight win streak, Hernadez has made an impact at 185pounds with highlight-reel finishes against the likes of Michel Pereira, Roman Kopylov, and Edmen Shahbazyan. Hernandez now aims to secure the biggest win of his career and position himself for a future shot at the division’s Top 5.

Perez (25-9, fighting out of Lemoore, Calif.) makes his way back to the Octagon with intentions of securing a win in the first bout of his 2025 campaign. The Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner has become a top-ranked contender by defeating formidable opponents such as Matheus Nicolau, Jussier Formiga, and Jordan Espinosa. Perez now looks to steal the show and deliver a performance to remember against Erceg.

Erceg (12-4, fighting out of Perth, Wester Australia) returns to competition looking for redemption. The former title challenger has made a quick impact at flyweight by taking out the likes of Matt Schnell, Alessandro Costa, and David Dvo?ák. Erceg now turns his attention to Perez as he looks for an empathic finish and find his path back to UFC gold.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Andre Fili (24-12, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) squares off with Christian Rodriguez (12-3, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) at featherweight
• A bantamweight contest pits Dana White’s Contender Series signee Elijha Smith (8-1, fighting out of Colorado Springs, Colo.) against Road to UFC standout Toshiomi Kazama (11-4, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan)
• Dana White’s Contender Series bantamweight signees Miles Johns (15-3 1NC, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) and Jean Matsumoto (16-1, fighting out of Braganca Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil) square off
• No. 14 Joselyne Edwards (15-6, fighting out of Panama City, Panama) goes toe-to-toe with Priscila Cachoeira (13-6, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Middleweight fireworks are set as Eryk Anders (17-8 1NC, fighting out of Birmingham, Ala.) meets Christian Leroy Duncan (11-2, fighting out of Gloucester, England)
• An intriguing strawweight contest pits No. 8 ranked contender Iasmin Lucindo (17-6, fighting out of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil) against No. 12 Angela Hill (18-14, fighting out San Diego, Calif.)
• Julius Walker (6-1, fighting out Springfield, Miss.) takes on Rafael Cerqueira (11-2, fighting out of Salvador, BA Brazil) at light heavyweight
• Gabriella Fernandes (10-3, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) and Julija Stoliarenko (11-9-2, fighting out of Kaunas, Lithuania) are set for a flyweight bout

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 ESPN+?? ??

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.?ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

Abu Dhabi, UAE: UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organisation, together with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), promises another showstopping event in the UAE capital, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for top-tier sporting events. Fans are encouraged to register their interest early for the best chance to secure tickets via Visit Abu Dhabi. UFC® 321 tickets will go on sale on Friday, July 25 via etihadarena.ae and Ticketmaster.ae.  

The much-anticipated return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, headlined by UFC® 321, promises an unforgettable celebration of the very best in combat sports and live entertainment. The week is one of the most anticipated on the UFC calendar, filled with international championship talent and high-stakes action.

With over 20 events hosted in Abu Dhabi since 2010, UFC has become a powerhouse on the region’s sports and entertainment scene. Before UFC® 321 takes over Abu Dhabi on October 25, the Octagon® returns this summer with UFC FIGHT NIGHT: WHITTAKER vs. DE RIDDER on Saturday July 26, as former middleweight champion and No.5 ranked Robert Whittaker faces rising star Reinier de Ridder in a must-see showdown at the Etihad Arena – all made possible through UFC’s long-standing partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi.

With UFC® 321 on the horizon in October, stay tuned for more details as anticipation builds for one of the UFC’s biggest events of the year.

VIP Experience packages for UFC® 321 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 hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and more. For additional information, please visit UFCVIP.com to view package details. 

For further information on UFC® 321 and the latest updates, please visit VisitAbuDhabi.ae.

SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA – Junior middleweight contender Callum Walsh looks to continue his ascent up the 154-pound rankings when he takes on veteran Elias Espadas on Saturday night in the ten-round main event of the UFC Fight Pass “Hollywood Fight Nights” event at the Chumash Casino Resort on Saturday night. Fighters for the seven-bout card weighed-in Friday morning before participating in the ceremonial weigh-in at the Sports Bar at Chumash at the host casino later in the afternoon. 

Walsh (13-0, 11 KOs) of Ventura, California by way of Cork, Munster, Ireland will be making the fourth defense of the regional WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title he claimed in 2024 with a ninth-round knockout of Dauren Yeleussinov at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Walsh, the WBC #6/IBF #6 ranked contender, made his third appearance at the famed Garden last time out, scoring a devastating first-round knockout of Dean Sutherland this past March. Walsh weighed-in at the 154-pound junior middleweight limit. 

Espadas (23-6-1, 16 KOs) of Merida, Yucatán, Mexico earned this opportunity with a hard-fought majority draw with unbeaten Sadriddin Akhmedov on a UFC Fight Pass-broadcasted event in Commerce, California just two months back. Notably, well-regarded 154-pound contender Xander Zayas stopped Espadas in five in 2022. The thirteen-year pro figures to gauge where Walsh stands amongst the other junior middleweight prospects and contenders. Espadas weighed-in at 153.8-pounds on Friday. 

In the co-feature, undefeated Umar Dzambekov (11-0, 8 KOs) of Los Angeles, California by way of Grozny, Chechnya, Russia will take on former world title challenger Roamer Alexis Angulo (28-3, 23 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by way of Patia, Cauca, Colombia in an eight-round light heavyweight bout. 

Dzambekov, who scaled 176-pounds, will be taking a step-up in class after knocking out his last two opponents inside the first round. Of the seven previous opponents Dzambekov has fought in scheduled eight-rounders, only two were able to last the distance. Angulo, who weighed-in at 174.6-pounds, goes rounds and will figure to provide a stern test for the up-and-coming Dzambekov. Only an over-the-contracted-weight David Benavidez was able to stop Angulo in 2020. Angulo fought Gilberto Ramirez to a twelve-round decision defeat in his first attempt at a world title in 2018 and also went the distance against Edgar Berlanga in 2022. 

Cain Sandoval (15-0, 13 KOs) of Sacramento, California will take on short-notice replacement Yonathan Eniz (36-22-1, 17 KOs) of Dolores, Buenos Aires, Argentina in an eight-round junior welterweight fight. Sandoval, who was originally geared up to take on fellow unbeaten Jesus Madueno, weighed-in at 142.6-pounds on Friday. Eniz, who took the fight on just over a week’s notice, also came in at 142.6-pounds. 

Roxy Verduzco (4-0, 1 KO) of Los Angeles will take a step-up against veteran Celene Roman (6-3-1) of Ontario, California by way of Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico in an eight-round featherweight bout. Verduzco, a multiple-time national amateur champion, appears to be on the fast-track towards contention as she moves up to the eight-round distance in just her fifth pro bout. Roman ended a nearly ten-year sabbatical with a four-round majority decision over Amanda DeRosa in February. Verduzco scaled 125.8-pounds, while Roman came in at 124.4-pounds. 

Opening up the UFC Fight Pass portion of the card, Daniel Barrera (8-1-1, 4 KOs) of Eastvale, California will meet Basilio Franco (10-3, 8 KOs) of Norwalk, California by way of Yahualica De Gonzalez Gallo, Jalisco, Mexico in an eight-round super flyweight bout. Barrera, who scaled 115, will be looking to rebound from his first career defeat to Christopher Rios in February. Franco, who scaled 113.6-pounds and will be making his United States debut, has won six straight entering the bout on Saturday. 

The YouTube-broadcast portion of the card will be capped by once-beaten prospect Gor Yeritsyan (20-1, 16 KOs) of Los Angeles by way of Yerevan, Armenia who takes on Vernon Brown (13-2-1, 9 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois in an eight-round welterweight bout. Yeritsyan, a Wild Card Boxing Club stablemate of Walsh and Sandoval, weighed-in at 146.4-pounds. Brown, returning from a three-plus year layoff, came in at 146.2-pounds. 

MMA veteran Jenelyn Olsim of Ventura by way of Baguio City, Benguet, Philippines will make her transition to the pro boxing game in the curtain raiser against Jessica Radtke Maltez (1-2-1) of Waconia, Minnesota in a four-round featherweight fight. Olsim, who has competed professionally in mixed martial arts since 2016, scaled 125-pounds, while Radtke Maltez, coming off of a six-round decision defeat to Roxy Verduzco in April, came in at 124-pounds. 

Quick Weigh-in Results:

WBC Continental Americas Light Middleweight Championship, 12 Rounds

Walsh 154

Espadas 153.8

Light heavyweights, 8 Rounds

Dzambekov 176

Angulo 174.6

Light welterweights, 8 Rounds

Sandoval 142.6

Eniz 142.6

Featherweights, 8 Rounds

Verduzco 125.8

Roman 124.4

Super flyweights, 8 Rounds

Barrera 115

Franco 113.6

Welterweights, 8 Rounds

Yeritsyan 146.4

Brown 146.2

Featherweights, 4 Rounds

Olsim 125

Radtke Maltez 124

Tickets for the event, promoted by 360 Promotions, are available online at chumashcasino.com 

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortegajr.mario@gmail.com 

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Chicago with a blockbuster middleweight championship bout that will see Dricus Du Plessis defend his title against undefeated No. 3 ranked contender Khamzat Chimaev. Also, an exciting battle of middleweight strikers will see No. 7 ranked contender Jared Cannonier face Michael ‘Venom’ Page.

UFC^® 319: DU PLESSIS vs. CHIMAEV tickets will go on sale Friday, June 20 at 10 a.m. CT 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 Wednesday, June 18 at 10 a.m. CT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, June 19 at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC^® 319: DU PLESSIS vs. CHIMAEV will take place Saturday, August 16 at United Center with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Disney+, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

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

Du Plessis (23-2, fighting out of Pretoria, South Africa) has his sights set on another dominant title defense. Unbeaten for nearly seven years, he holds memorable victories over former UFC titleholders Sean Strickland, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. Du Plessis now plans to hand Chimaev his first loss to continue his reign atop the middleweight division.

Chimaev (14-0, fighitng out of The United Arab Emirates by way of Chechnya, Russia) intends to make the most of his first title opportunity. A powerful grappler and striker, he has earned thrilling wins against Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Chimaev now hopes to dethrone Du Plessis and achieve his dream of becoming UFC champion.

Cannonier (18-8, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.) looks to build off his spectacular TKO victory over Gregory Rodrigues in February. A perennial middleweight contender, he also holds wins over Sean Strickland, Marvin Vettori and Derek Brunson. Cannonier now aims to turn away Page and earn a shot at the Top 5.

Page (23-3, fighitng out of London, England) returns to middleweight following his dominant performance against Shara Magomedov earlier this year. A dynamic striker, he also holds victories over Kevin Holland, Douglas Lima and Paul Daley. Page now plans to insert his name in the middleweight title picture by taking out Cannonier in emphatic fashion.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Gerald Meerschaert (37-19, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) takes on Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9 1NC, fighting out of Barki, Poland) at middleweight
• Edson Barboza (24-12, fighting out of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) battles Drakkar Klose (15-3-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz. by way of South Haven, Mich.) in a lightweight bout
• Lightweight veterans clash when King Green (32-17-1 1NC, fighting out of Fontana, Calif.) meets Diego Ferreira (19-6, fighting out of Pharr, Texas by way of Careiro da Várzea, Amazonas, Brazil)
• No. 12 ranked women’s flyweight contender Karine Silva (18-5, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) faces No. 15 JJ Aldrich (14-7, fighting out of Aurora, Colo.)
• Bryan Battle (13-2 1NC, fighting out of Charlotte, N.C.) locks horns with Nursulton Ruziboev (36-9-2 2NC, fighting out of Tashkent, Uzbekistan) at middleweight
• No. 11 ranked flyweight contender Tim Elliott (21-13-1, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) collides with recent title challenger and No. 15 Kai Asakura (21-5, fighting out of Tokyo, Japan)
• Chase Hooper (16-3-1, fighting out of Enumclaw, Wash.) faces Alexander Hernandez (16-8, fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of San Antonio, Texas) in an intriguing lightweight tilt
• Former UFC strawweight champion and current No. 5 ranked contender Jessica Andrade (26-14, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) squares off with No. 11 Loopy Godinez (13-5, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada by way of Aguascalientes, Mexico)

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

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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 United Center

The United Center is a 960,000 square-foot multi-use entertainment facility that has welcomed more than 70 million fans since opening in 1994.  Home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), the United Center hosts more than 200 events each year, including the best sporting events, musical performers, family shows and special events in the industry. A commitment to creating iconic stories and providing superior service makes the United Center one of the premiere venues in the world. For more information, visit www.unitedcenter.com.

About ESPN+ 

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Las Vegas – UFC^Ò, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, today announced that the 13^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^™ will take place from Wednesday, June 25, through Sunday, June 29, with numerous events taking place throughout Las Vegas, including locations such as T-Mobile Arena, Resorts World Las Vegas, and the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

UFC International Fight Week is highlighted by the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and UFC X, the fully interactive, two-day fan experience. The week-long celebration is anchored by the highly anticipated UFC^Ò 317: TOPURIA vs. OLIVEIRA, which takes place on Saturday, June 28, at T-Mobile Arena. Tickets for UFC 317 are available via AXS.

Overview of Events

On Thursday, June 26, UFC hosts the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 7 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena. Hosted by Jon Anik, the annual ceremony honors contributors and athletes who helped shape UFC and left an indelible mark on the sport of mixed martial arts.

UFC Hall of Fame inductees include former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, former UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes, UFC^® 14 and UFC^® 15 heavyweight tournament winner Mark Kerr, former co-creator of The Ultimate Fighter Craig Piligian, and the UFC 236 interim middleweight championship bout between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum. 

Tickets to the induction ceremony are priced at $25 (not including fees), with all proceeds benefiting the UFC Foundation, UFC’s 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to supporting charitable programs and initiatives throughout the state of Nevada and beyond. Tickets are available via AXS. The ceremony will be streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^Ò.

UFC X takes place Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the second floor of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the premier meeting and conference venues in Las Vegas. Tickets for UFC X start at $30 for one-day access and $50 for two-day access. All children ages 12 and under will receive free entry when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Tickets are available via AXS. UFC X is produced by global full-service cultural marketing agency 160over90.

Spanning more than 200,000 square feet, UFC X, the organization’s fully immersive and easily accessible two-day fan experience includes brand and partner activations, live stage programming, autograph sessions, and meet & greets – providing fans with unparalleled access to UFC champions and Hall of Famers, top-ranked contenders, and other UFC personalities.

Fans who attend UFC X will be able to purchase exclusive merchandise at the UFC Store, while also having the opportunity to participate in numerous activities with brand partners such as Meta, ESPN+, Bud Light, Monster, Cuervo, New Amsterdam Vodka, Thorne, Dave & Busters, Total Wireless, Air National Guard, 19 Crimes, Morgan & Morgan, and Wolfpak. 

Athletes confirmed to attend UFC X include Israel Adesanya, Caio Borralho, Michael Chandler, Merab Dvalishvili, Justin Gaethje, Kayla Harrison, Matt Hughes, Robbie Lawler, Chuck Liddell, Diego Lopes, Brandon Moreno, Amanda Nunes, Paddy Pimblett, Alexander Volkanovski, Weili Zhang, and many more. Athlete appearances are subject to change.

Fans who travel to Las Vegas from around the world for International Fight Week will also be able to enjoy ceremonial weigh-ins, press conferences and other activities of a traditional UFC Fight Week, leading to the schedule’s culminating event, UFC^Ò 317: TOPURIA vs. OLIVEIRA.

In addition, Resorts World Las Vegas, the 3,506-room luxury property and “Official Partner of UFC International Fight Week,” hosts three official parties during the week. On Saturday, June 28, the Official UFC 317 Viewing Party takes place at RedTail at 5 p.m., followed by the Official UFC 317 After Party at Zouk Nightclub, headlined by Nelly, beginning at 10:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 29, the Official UFC Pool Party takes place at AYU Dayclub beginning at 11 a.m.

For more information on all the week’s activities and events, please visit UFCFIGHTWEEK.COM.

Vancouver – UFC^® returns to Vancouver for an exciting UFC Fight Night^® event, in partnership with Destination Vancouver, at Rogers Arena on Saturday, October 18.

Fans can register their interest at UFC.com/Vancouver. Stay tuned for future bout announcements.

UFC Fight Night will mark Vancouver’s seventh UFC event since 2010. This ties Toronto for 2^nd most UFC events in Canada. UFC’s most recent visit to the city for UFC 289 in 2023 saw 17,628 fans in attendance and resulted in a CAD $5.14 million live gate.

UFC Fight Nighttickets will go on sale Friday, August 22 at 10 a.m. PT and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.ca. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, August 20 at 10 a.m. PT via UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, August 21 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

Since debuting in the Great White North with UFC 83 in 2008, UFC has held a total of 35 premiere sporting events in Canada that span across 11 cities.

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 UFC Fight Night media credentials.

###

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 CSE

Canucks Sports & Entertainment is Western Canada’s sports & entertainment leader providing world class entertainment in multiple venues in British Columbia. From watching one’s first NHL game to singing along with a favourite artist, Canucks Sports & Entertainment strives to create unforgettable moments that inspire, excite, and unite us all. Regardless of the score, the event or the night, our goal is to provide a world class experience for you and your guests from the moment you arrive, to the end of the event.

Las Vegas – UFC^® today announced that UFC^® 14 and UFC^® 15 heavyweight tournament winner Mark Kerr will be inducted into the 2025 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer.

The 2025 UFC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place as part of the 13^th Annual UFC International Fight Week^Ô, on Thursday, June 26, at T-Mobile Arena, and will be streamed live, exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS^®.

“Mark Kerr was a high-level wrestler who also fought for PRIDE and was one of the early pioneers of the sport,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White.

Kerr will enter the UFC Hall of Fame as the 21^st member of the Pioneer Era Wing, which includes athletes who turned professional before November 17, 2000, (when the unified rules of mixed martial arts were adopted). Other requirements include a minimum age of 35 or those who have been retired for one year or more.

A veteran of 27 fights during his 12-year MMA career, Kerr compiled a record of 15-11,1 NC (10-4,1 NC – UFC / PRIDE), securing victories over former King of the Cage super heavyweight champion Dan Bobish, former K-1 World Grand Prix champion Branko Cikatic, and former Shooto heavyweight champion Enson Inoue.

Kerr made his professional MMA debut on January 19, 1997, by competing in a heavyweight tournament as part of World Vale Tudo Championship 3. He defeated all three of his opponents during the event, each in the first round, to capture the WVC 3 heavyweight tournament title.  

Kerr would make his UFC debut six months later by entering the tournament of UFC^® 14: SHOWDOWN, which took place on July 27, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama. He defeated both of his opponents, Moti Horenstein and Dan Bobish, via TKO and submission, respectively, in a combined four minutes, to win the heavyweight tournament.

Three months later, Kerr would return to the Octagon^® and compete in the heavyweight tournament for UFC^® 15: COLLISION COURSE, which took place on October 17, 1997, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Kerr defeated both opponents, Greg Stott and Dwayne Cason, in a combined 70 seconds, to win his second consecutive UFC heavyweight tournament title.

With those victories, Kerr became one of only five athletes to win multiple UFC tournaments, residing with UFC Hall of Famers Royce Gracie, Mark Coleman, Dan Severn, and Don Frye in the exclusive club. 

Kerr would leave UFC following Collision Course, Japan-based MMA promotion PRIDE Fighting Championships. Over the next three years, he would win six of his first eight bouts in PRIDE as a heavyweight, securing victories in a variety of ways while earning the nickname, “The Smashing Machine,” for his punishing style.  

For the next nine years, Kerr would continue to compete against top contenders across multiple MMA promotions before retiring in 2009.
Outside the Octagon, the 56-year old Kerr served as the subject of a critically acclaimed documentary titled The Smashing Machine, which chronicled his career while competing across multiple MMA organizations. A film with the same name, starring Dwayne Johnson as Kerr, is set to be released by A24 on October 3.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Kerr began his wrestling career as a freshman at Bettendorf High School in Iowa, where he was a teammate of future UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich. Kerr returned to Toledo and joined the wrestling team at Waite High School, becoming Ohio Division I state champion in 1986.

Following high school, Kerr began his collegiate wrestling career at Syracuse University, competing for the Orangemen in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association. During his tenure on the collegiate mats, Kerr won the conference title in 1989, 1991 and 1992, while also earning All-America honors and the NCAA Division I National Championship in his final season.

Kerr would spend the next four years as a freestyle wrestler, winning silver and gold medals during the United World Wrestling World Cup in 1992 and 1994, as well as the silver medal at the UWW Pan American Games in 1995. He also won the USA Wrestling World Team Trials in 1993 and 1994.

Kerr also competed in ADCC Submission Fighting Championship, a grappling competition, defeating future UFC heavyweight champions Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez en route to winning gold medals during the 1999, 2000 and 2001 tournaments. In 2022, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the ADCC Hall of Fame.

To view Kerr’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/31248

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.

About UFC^®
UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 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 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 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^® returns to UFC APEX with a high-stakes flyweight matchup featuring No. 3 ranked contender Amir Albazi taking on No. 5 Tatsuro Taira in the main event. In addition, No. 10 ranked bantamweight Karol Rosa squares off with No. 12 Nora Cornolle

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: ALBAZI vs. TAIRA takes place Saturday, August 2 in Las Vegas and will be available on ESPN and ESPN+ (English and Spanish). The prelims will air at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card airing at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.

UFC 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.

Albazi (17-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Baghdad, Iraq) looks to make the most of his third straight main event. He has solidified his spot among the best at 125pounds by defeating formidable foes such as Kai Kara-France, Alessandro Costa, and Francisco Figueiredo. Albazi now sets forth to defend his spot in the rankings by stopping Taira in impressive fashion.

Japan’s Taira (16-1, fighting out of Okinawa, Japan) returns to action looking for another thrilling finish. The rising star has made an impact in just three short years by taking out top talent such as Alex Perez, Carlos Hernandez, and Edgar Chairez. Taira now aims to make a statement against Albazi and crack the Top 3 in the flyweight division.

Rosa (18-7, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) makes her way back to the Octagon with intentions of securing a win in the first bout of her 2025 campaign. A battle-hardened veteran of the bantamweight division, Rosa has become a top-ranked contender by beating tough opponents such as Pannie Kianzad, Yana Santos, and Lina Länsberg. She now sets forth to steal the show and deliver a performance to remember against Cornolle.

France’s Cornolle (9-2, fighting out of Epinay sur Seine, France) answers the call to action as she looks to secure the biggest win of her career. A well-rounded mixed martial artist with all but one win coming by either knockout or submission, Cornolle has turned heads with key performances against Joselyne Edwards, Melissa Mullins, and Hailey Cowan. She now sets her sights on Rosa as she looks to deliver another highlight-reel finish and continue to climb the rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Middleweight action sees Dana White’s Contender Series signees Nick Klein (6-2, fighting out of Adell, Wisc. by way of Milwaukee, Wisc.) and Andrey Pulyaev (9-3, fighting out of Novosibirsk, Russia) face off
• Rodolfo Vieira (10-3, fighting out of Orlando, Fla. by way of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) goes toe-to-toe with Tresean Gore (6-3, fighting out of Lawrenceville, Ga.) at middleweight
• A thrilling flyweight bout pits undefeated prospect Andre Lima (11-0, fighting out of Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brazil) against Felipe Bunes (14-7, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil)
• Flyweight fireworks are expected as Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Piera Rodriguez (10-2, fighting out of Maracaibo, Venezuela) and Ketlen Souza (15-5, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) lock horns
• Middleweights collide as Azamat Bekoev (10-2, fighting out of Vladikavkaz, Russia) takes on unbeaten Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Torrez Finney (11-0, fighting out of Chattanooga, Tenn.)

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 ESPN+?? ??

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

Paris, France – UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, today announced its return to the French capital for the fourth consecutive year, continuing its commitment to bring world-class MMA events to France, on Saturday, September 6 at Accor Arena.

Hosted in coordination with Fédération Française de Boxe (FFB), tickets for the event will go on general sale at 10 a.m. CEST on Friday, July 4, via Accor Arena. Fight Club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets early at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, whilst those who registered their interest early in this event will gain access at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3.

Known for their electric atmosphere, UFC events in Paris have been packed with passionate French fans. After defeating Serghei Spivac, former interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane praised the crowd, saying, “Thank you to the fans – you are crazy, the best fans in the world.”

France’s UFC presence continues to grow, with standout talent making waves across divisions. No. 1 ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov recently secured the biggest win of his career by defeating former champion and UFC legend Israel Adesanya at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ADESANYA vs. IMAVOV. In the women’s flyweight division,Manon Fiorot impressed despite falling short against legend Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315: MUHAMMAD vs. DELLA MADDALENA. Benoit Saint Denis, a former French special forces soldier, remains a fan favourite in the lightweight division following a dominant win on the same card as Fiorot.

VIP Experience packages 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 hospitality, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes, and more. For additional information, visit UFCVIP.com to view package details.

Fans are advised to register their interest for the event early via UFC.com/Paris to secure their tickets in advance and to follow @UFCFRA on Twitter and Instagram for all 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 300 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 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 70 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^® returns to Nashville with a clash of heavyweight knockout artists as former world title challenger and current No. 9 ranked contender Derrick Lewis battles No. 14 Tallison Teixeira. Also, fan favorite No. 15 ranked featherweight contender Calvin Kattar takes on Steve Garcia.

UFC^® FIGHT NIGHT: LEWIS vs. TEIXEIRA takes place Sat., July 12 at Bridgestone Arena. The entire card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as in English and Spanish on ESPN+, starting with the prelims at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

UFC^® FIGHT NIGHT: LEWIS vs. TEIXEIRA tickets will go on sale Fri., May 30 at 10 a.m. CT 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., May 28 at 10 a.m. CT via the website UFCFightClub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thurs., May 29 starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

UFC KO king Lewis (28-12, 1NC, fighting out of Houston, Texas) aims to add to his record 15 UFC knockouts with another highlight-reel stoppage. Stepping into his 10^th UFC main event, Lewis has consistently entertained fans with his finishes of Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov and Rodrigo Nascimento. He now looks to defend his spot in the rankings from another rising prospect with a dominant showcase.

Dana White’s Contender Series standout Teixeira (8-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) plans to make the most of his first UFC main event with a spectacular upset. Undefeated with an impressive 100 percent first-round finishing rate, Teixeira proved he has what it takes to compete with the best in the world with victories over Justin Tafa and Arthur Lopes. He now has his sights set on taking out Lewis in the biggest opportunity of his career.

Kattar (23-9, fighting out of Methuen, Mass.) makes his second Octagon appearance of 2025. The owner of five Fight of the Night bonuses, he holds notable wins over Giga Chikadze, Dan Ige and Jeremy Stephens. Now, Kattar is determined to deliver a vintage performance by going toe-to-toe with Garcia.

Garcia (17-5, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) intends to extend his winning streak and break into the featherweight rankings. He is currently tied for the fourth most consecutive knockouts in UFC history with five, including those over Kyle Nelson, Melquizael Costa and Chase Hooper. Garcia now looks to make his biggest statement yet by finishing Kattar.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Jake Matthews (21-7, fighting out of Epping, Victoria, Australia) clashes with Chidi Njokuani (25-10, 1NC, fighting out of Garland, Texas) in a thrilling welterweight contest
• Light heavyweight action sees Junior Tafa (6-3, fighting out of Brisbane, Australia) take on Tuco Tokkos (10-5, fighting out of Deerfield Beach, Fla. by way of London, England)
• Dana White’s Contender Series alum Ateba Gautier (7-1, fighting out of Yaounde, Cameroon) looks for another impressive KO when he faces Robert Valentin (11-5, 1NC, fighting out of Zurich, Switzerland)
• Vitor Petrino (11-2, fighting out of Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais, Brazil) makes his heavyweight debut against Austen Lane (13-6, 1NC, fighting out of Jacksonville, Fla.)
• Max Griffin (20-11, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) makes his first Octagon appearance of 2025 as he welcomes Chris Curtis (31-12, 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) back to the welterweight division
• Strawweight prospects lock horns as Fatima Kline (7-1, fighting out of Hyde Park, N.Y.) battles Melissa Martinez (8-1, fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico)
• Former flyweight title challenger Lauren Murphy (16-6, fighting out of Denver, Colo., by way of Houston, Texas) returns against Eduarda Moura (11-1, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil)

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.

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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 Bridgestone Arena

Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest venues in the United States since the doors first opened in 1996, hosting more than 28 million guests during that time. The NHL’s Nashville Predators have been the primary tenants of Bridgestone Arena since 1998 and boast one of the most unique game atmospheres in the NHL. The list of acts that have called the 2021 Pollstar Arena of the Decade nominee home is lengthy and includes the Country Music Association Awards, the Country Music Television Awards and the SEC Basketball Tournament through 2035. Bridgestone Arena has 16 consecutive and 19 overall nominations for the Pollstar Magazine Arena Year of the Award, winning the award in 2014, 2017 and 2023.

About ESPN+ 

https://espnpressroom.com/us/espnplus

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading multiplatform sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, the leading sports app, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, leading social and digital platforms, ESPN.com, ESPN Audio, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.