Bruce Buffer incorrectly announced a majority decision victory for Padilla when the scorecards actually showed a draw, with fighters only learning the real result backstage. The Reyes-Walker bout proved to be the dullest fight of the entire card. Gable Stevenson, protégé of Jon Jones, has signed with the UFC, while Jones himself hinted at a potential return. Paulo Costa has revitalized his career at light heavyweight after years struggling with weight cuts at middleweight, now looking powerful and durable in his new division. Jiri Prochazka apologized for his performance and loss, stating he lost concentration rather than showing mercy, and promised to return stronger after witnessing the birth of his child.
A chaotic night of action produced several major talking points on April 12, 2026, from a bungled ring announcement to a career revival and a former champion's apology.
The evening's most embarrassing moment came when legendary UFC announcer Bruce Buffer incorrectly declared a majority decision victory for Padilla, only for fighters and their corners to discover backstage that the scorecards actually reflected a draw. The error cast an uncomfortable shadow over the bout's conclusion and raised questions about the announcement process.
The card also featured a much-anticipated light heavyweight clash between Dominick Reyes and an unnamed opponent that left the crowd cold. Reyes, 36, carries a 16-5-0 record and ranks eighth in the light heavyweight division. Despite averaging 5.39 significant strikes per minute with 54 percent accuracy, the American southpaw from Teixeira MMA and Fitness could not produce the kind of performance fans had hoped for, with the fight widely regarded as the dullest of the entire event.
Czech Republic's Jiri Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old with a 32-6-1 record, issued an apology following his defeat. The six-foot-three, 203 cm reach striker — one of the division's most explosive performers at 5.69 significant strikes per minute — stated that a lapse in concentration, not deliberate mercy, cost him the fight. He also revealed he had recently witnessed the birth of his child and vowed to return stronger.
Why it matters
- Paulo Costa's move to light heavyweight appears to be breathing new life into his career after prolonged struggles making middleweight, adding depth to an already competitive 205-pound division.
- Gable Stevenson, mentored by Jon Jones, has officially signed with the UFC, injecting fresh talent into the roster.
- Jones himself, who holds a 28-1-0 record and is 38 years old, hinted at a potential return, which would have immediate divisional implications given his status as one of the sport's all-time great light heavyweights.
