Song Yadong

The UFC believes a Paddy Pimblett fight sells itself, and fans are now weighing in on who his next opponent should be. The shortlist includes Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, and Charles Oliveira.

Arnold AllenCharles OliveiraUmar NurmagomedovMichael Bisping+16

Dana White used the UFC’s 2026 seasonal press conference to unveil several major fights that reshape multiple title pictures. Justin Gaethje will meet Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title, while Kayla Harrison is booked against Amanda Nunes in a women’s bantamweight championship fight. The card also includes Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong and several other high-profile bouts, signaling that the promotion is loading up its first major card of the year. The announcements matter because they establish the next steps at lightweight, bantamweight, and featherweight heading into 2026’s biggest event window.

Charles OliveiraMax HollowayPaddy PimblettAmanda Nunes+6

Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong have been booked as the main event for UFC Shanghai, set for August 29 on Paramount+. The bantamweight showdown is set to headline the promotion's return to China.

Umar NurmagomedovSong Yadong

Su Mudaerji (6-4 in UFC) and Alex Perez (8-6 in UFC) will meet in a rematch at UFC Shanghai on August 29. Their first contest was ruled a no-contest after an inadvertent groin strike left Perez unable to continue. The card will be headlined by Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong.

Umar NurmagomedovAlex PerezSong Yadong

UFC CEO Dana White laid out the promotion’s main-event schedule leading up to the White House card, including several matchups that shape the title picture across multiple divisions. The slate includes bouts such as Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal, Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland, and Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim, giving fans a clearer view of the next stretch of UFC programming. The announcement matters because it confirms how the UFC is sequencing major fights and building toward its summer showcase. Additional bout announcements and card reshuffling are likely as injuries and negotiations continue.

Jiri ProchazkaGabriel BonfimArnold AllenSean Strickland+20

The UFC announced several major early-2026 bookings, led by Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for an interim lightweight title. The card also includes Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes, plus Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes in a rematch that adds clarity to the featherweight title picture. Additional matchups featured on the slate include Sean O'Malley vs. Song Yadong, Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas, Arnold Allen vs. Jean Silva, Derrick Lewis vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Deiveson Figueiredo. The bookings matter because they shape multiple title and contender races at once, and the UFC is clearly using them to anchor its 2026 schedule.

Arnold AllenUmar NurmagomedovRose NamajunasJean Silva+12