Ciryl Gane

UFC’s second-half 2026 slate includes several high-profile matchups that materially shape multiple divisions, including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, and Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane 2. ESPN’s fight-center preview and related coverage identify these as the most anticipated bouts still to come, with championship implications at lightweight, heavyweight, and beyond. The same UFC schedule discussion also points to other notable matchups such as Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev and Jean Silva vs. Aaron Pico. These bookings matter because they set the title landscape heading into late 2026 and clarify who is next in line across several weight classes.

Tom AspinallJean SilvaIlia TopuriaAaron Pico+5

Dustin Poirier is cautioning fans against getting too invested in a potential Conor McGregor comeback to the UFC. Poirier's comments suggest skepticism about whether McGregor's return will materialize as anticipated.

Dustin PoirierJon JonesMax HollowayTom Aspinall+4

Oleksandr Usyk has defeated all of the great modern heavyweights with one notable exception still remaining. The identity of that fighter sets up what would be a landmark matchup for the undisputed heavyweight king.

Jon JonesCiryl GaneJan BlachowiczAlex Pereira+2

Undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has confirmed he is ready to return to the cage. Aspinall has formally informed the UFC of his availability and named Ciryl Gane as his desired opponent.

Tom AspinallCiryl Gane

CBS Sports published a 2026 UFC title-picture update that maps out the current champions across the promotion as the second half of the year begins.[1] The article lists Justin Gaethje as lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev as welterweight champion, and several other divisional titleholders, showing how much the landscape has already changed in 2026.[1] While the piece is more of a broader status update than a breaking fight announcement, it is useful context for where each division stands after a major event week. For contenders, the championship picture helps define the next matchups the UFC may prioritize later in the summer.[1]

Sean StricklandJoshua VanIslam MakhachevTom Aspinall+5

Ahead of Gable Steveson's UFC debut, analyst New York Ric expressed high expectations for the decorated wrestler, arguing that Steveson's wrestling would be too much for Ciryl Gane. Ric stated he would favor Steveson in a matchup between the two right now.

Ciryl GaneGable Steveson