UFC president Dana White announced the complete 2026 event schedule through the June 14 Freedom 250 at the White House, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the lightweight title. New main events include Josh Emmett vs. Kevin Vallejos on March 14 in Las Vegas, Movsar Evloev vs. Lerone Murphy on March 21 in London, and Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title on April 11 in Miami. This reshuffling impacts multiple divisions, with featherweight and light heavyweight title pictures clarifying amid rising contenders like Vallejos and Ulberg. Expect heightened promotion for the historic White House card, potentially drawing massive mainstream attention to UFC.
UFC president Dana White unveiled the organization's complete 2026 event schedule during a presentation at the White House, capping the announcement with the June 14 Freedom 250 card headlined by Ilia Topuria defending the lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. The reveal also confirmed several new main events across the calendar, bringing clarity to both the featherweight and light heavyweight divisional pictures.
Among the newly announced bouts, Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will meet on April 11 in Miami for the vacant light heavyweight championship. Prochazka, ranked second at 205 pounds, carries a 32-6-1 record into the contest. The 33-year-old Czech Republic native trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and brings elite offensive output, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, with an 80-inch reach that gives him room to operate at range.
On March 21 in London, featherweight contender Lerone Murphy steps up as a headliner against Movsar Evloev. Murphy, also ranked second in the featherweight division, holds a 17-1-1 record. The 34-year-old from England representing Manchester Top Team averages 4.34 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy and adds a takedown dimension, averaging 1.2 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Kevin Vallejos, nicknamed El Chino, features on the March 14 Las Vegas card opposite Josh Emmett. The 24-year-old Argentine carries an 18-1-0 record and has drawn attention with a striking rate of 6.12 significant strikes per minute. At five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, the switch-stance prospect out of Brothers of Life MMA represents one of the sport's sharpest young risers.
Why it matters
- The Prochazka vs. Ulberg bout fills a vacant light heavyweight throne, ending uncertainty at 205 pounds
- Vallejos headlining a Las Vegas card at just 24 signals rapid organizational investment in the Argentine contender
- Murphy vs. Evloev in London shapes the top of a congested featherweight contender rankings
- The White House-hosted Freedom 250 positions the UFC for significant mainstream crossover exposure
