The Independent detailed UFC's confirmed 2026 fights, including UFC Fight Night Houston (Feb 21: Strickland vs. Hernandez main event), Mexico City (Feb 28: Moreno vs. Kavanagh), UFC 326 (March 7: Holloway vs. Oliveira BMF), and more through March. Key bouts like Volkanovski retaining vs. Lopes and Adesanya vs. Pyfer highlight divisions. This shapes title paths in middleweight, flyweight, and featherweight. Cards subject to change; Houston kicks off with heavyweight Spivac vs. Delija. Expect reshuffles but firm early-year roadmap.
The UFC has released a confirmed early-2026 schedule stretching through March, with several high-profile matchups set to shape title pictures across multiple divisions. The calendar was detailed by The Independent and features headliners in the middleweight, flyweight, featherweight, and heavyweight ranks.
The run of events kicks off with UFC Fight Night Houston on February 21, where middleweight champion Sean Strickland takes on ranked contender Anthony Hernandez. Strickland, 35, carries a 31-7 record and holds the middleweight title fighting out of Xtreme Couture. The six-foot-one American is one of the most active strikers in the sport, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though his 42 percent accuracy reflects his high-volume, pressure-based approach. He has a 76-inch reach.
Hernandez, ranked third at middleweight, brings a 15-3 record into the bout. The 32-year-old from the United States fights out of MMA Gold Fight Team and has shown a well-rounded game, averaging 4.57 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy while adding nearly six takedown attempts per 15 minutes. His six-foot frame and 75-inch reach make him a physically capable challenger.
One week later, UFC heads to Mexico City on February 28 for a flyweight main event between Brandon Moreno and a fighter listed as Kavanagh. UFC 326 follows on March 7, headlined by a BMF title fight between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Oliveira, 36, holds a 37-11 record and is ranked third at lightweight and 11th pound-for-pound. The Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima averages 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes and 2.22 takedowns, making him a constant finishing threat. Also confirmed for the early-year stretch are Alexander Volkanovski defending against Diego Lopes and a middleweight clash between Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer.
Why it matters
- Strickland vs. Hernandez puts the middleweight title on the line with a dangerous ranked contender
- Holloway vs. Oliveira at BMF weight adds a crossover lightweight element to the featherweight picture
- Moreno vs. Kavanagh and Volkanovski vs. Lopes continue to define flyweight and featherweight contender standings
- Cards remain subject to change, but the roadmap gives a clear view of divisional movement through Q1 2026
