The UFC has released its event schedule for the first three weeks of May 2026, featuring three cards. UFC Perth takes place May 2 in Australia with Prates vs. Maddalena headlining and supporting bouts including Salkilld vs. Dariush and Gaziev vs. Pericic. UFC 328 follows on May 9 in the United States, featuring two title fights: Chimaev vs. Strickland and Yan vs. Taira, with Volkov vs. Acosta also on the card. The month continues with UFC Vegas 117 on May 16, headlined by Allen vs. Costa and featuring Du Hu Choi vs. Santos. Start times and main card schedules are provided in Moscow time for each event.
The UFC has mapped out a busy opening stretch of May 2026, announcing three events across three consecutive weekends that include championship fights, a string of contender bouts, and action on two continents.
The run begins on May 2 with UFC Perth in Australia, where Rafael Prates meets Jake Maddalena in the main event. The card also features Salkilld vs. Dariush and Gaziev vs. Pericic in supporting roles.
One week later, UFC 328 lands in the United States on May 9 with a pair of title fights at its center. Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, puts his belt on the line against Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland carries a 31-7 record into the fight and, at 35, has established himself as one of the division's most relentless output strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. The 185-pound champion stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and fights out of Xtreme Couture. The second title bout at UFC 328 pits Umar Nurmagomedov or the reigning champion Tatsuro Taira against Mana Martinez — the card lists Yan vs. Taira for a second-division crown. Also on that card, heavyweight Alexander Volkov, ranked number one in his division at 37 years old, takes on Acosta. The Russian stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach and posts a striking accuracy of 57 percent across a 40-11 professional record.
The third weekend brings UFC Vegas 117 on May 16, headlined by a featherweight contest between Arnold Allen and Paulo Costa. Allen, ranked fifth in the featherweight division, is a 32-year-old Englishman out of Tristar Gym who holds a 21-4 record and averages 3.52 significant strikes per minute. The Vegas card also features Du Hu Choi vs. Santos.
Why it matters
- UFC 328 is anchored by two title fights, making it one of the more significant cards of the first half of 2026
- Volkov's number-one heavyweight ranking means his bout with Acosta carries direct title-contention implications
- Allen's top-five featherweight status gives the Vegas 117 headliner genuine divisional weight despite its position on a Fight Night card
