The UFC released its complete event schedule for 2026, featuring major title fights and significant matchups across multiple divisions. Key highlights include Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer on March 28 in Seattle, Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title on April 11 in Miami at UFC 327, and Khamzat Chimaev defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland on May 9 at UFC 328 in Newark. The schedule also features Ilia Topuria defending his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at Freedom 250 on June 14 in Washington D.C. This comprehensive schedule provides fighters and fans with visibility into major promotional events for the next three months.
The UFC has unveiled its full event calendar stretching through June 2026, with title fights and high-profile matchups across several divisions anchoring a busy stretch of cards.
The schedule opens on March 28 in Seattle, where middleweight contender Israel Adesanya returns to action against Joe Pyfer. Adesanya, known as "The Last Stylebender," carries a 24-6 record and is ranked eighth in the middleweight division. The 36-year-old Nigerian, who trains out of City Kickboxing, stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach and operates out of a switch stance, averaging 4.03 significant strikes per minute with 48 percent accuracy over his career.
April 11 in Miami brings UFC 327 and a vacant light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg. The 33-year-old Czech Republic native holds a 32-6-1 record and is ranked second in the division. Training out of Jetsaam Gym Brno, Prochazka stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and is one of the sport's most aggressive strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark puts the middleweight title on the line as champion Sean Strickland defends against Sean Strickland — with Khamzat Chimaev listed as the defending champion taking on Strickland. "Tarzan" enters at 31-7, age 35, and represents Xtreme Couture. The American stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, pouring on 6.04 significant strikes per minute, among the highest volumes in the division.
The schedule closes with Freedom 250 on June 14 in Washington D.C., where lightweight champion Ilia Topuria puts his title on the line against Justin Gaethje.
Why it matters
- The vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 327 will establish a new champion in a reshuffled division
- Chimaev vs. Strickland is a rematch with significant middleweight title implications
- Topuria vs. Gaethje offers a stylistic collision at the top of the loaded lightweight division
- The four-event run gives the UFC consecutive high-stakes pay-per-view anchors across spring and early summer
