UFC announced its spring 2026 fight schedule, highlighting bouts like Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan on April 4 in Las Vegas, Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott on April 18 in Winnipeg, and Aljamain Sterling vs. Youseff Zalal on April 25. Later cards feature Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates in Perth on May 2 and the middleweight title fight Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, with Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim on June 6. These matchups involve ranked contenders across welterweight, featherweight, and middleweight divisions, building momentum toward summer title races. The announcements provide clarity for fans and fighters, boosting ticket sales and divisional storylines. Expect further undercard reveals and hype buildup soon.
Reports indicate the UFC has revealed a sweeping spring 2026 schedule spanning six cards from April through June, though the announcement has not been officially confirmed. The reported slate covers multiple divisions and builds toward what could be a pivotal summer stretch.
The first flagged bout has Renato Moicano squaring off against Chris Duncan on April 4 in Las Vegas, followed two weeks later by a welterweight clash between Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott in Winnipeg. Burns, known as "Durinho," carries a 22-10 record and holds the number 13 ranking at welterweight. The 39-year-old Brazilian trains out of Kill Cliff FC and brings a well-rounded game, connecting at 48 percent accuracy on his significant strikes while also averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Aljamain Sterling and Youseff Zalal are reportedly scheduled for April 25, before attention shifts to Perth on May 2 for a welterweight showdown between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates.
The marquee event on the rumored calendar is UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, where middleweight champion Sean Strickland is reportedly set to defend his title against Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland, nicknamed "Tarzan," holds a 31-7 record and fights out of Xtreme Couture. The 35-year-old American is one of the most active strikers in the division, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that gives him a consistent physical edge.
Closing out the reported schedule is a welterweight matchup between Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Bonfim on June 6. Bonfim, a 28-year-old Brazilian ranked tenth at welterweight, owns a 19-1 record and is a dual threat, averaging 3.6 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 4.61 significant strikes landed per minute.
Why it matters
- The middleweight title fight between Strickland and Chimaev at UFC 328 is the centerpiece, with significant rankings consequences across the division
- Multiple welterweight bouts involving ranked fighters could reshape the contender picture heading into summer
- As an unconfirmed report, official booking and undercards remain subject to change
Saturday, May 9, 2026
