UFC released its first-quarter 2026 schedule, starting with UFC 324 on Paramount+ featuring title fights. The card marked the new Paramount partnership despite missing Harrison-Nunes. Dana White teases massive White House event in June with up to five titles. This sets the tone for 2026's big stars like Tom Aspinall, Ilia Topuria, Alex Pereira. It expands UFC's broadcasting reach. Expect more announcements for international cards.
The UFC has unveiled its first-quarter 2026 schedule, headlined by UFC 324 on Paramount+ and anchored by multiple title fights, as the promotion kicks off a new broadcast partnership with the streaming platform. The announcement also included a tease from Dana White of a landmark event at the White House in June, potentially featuring as many as five championship bouts.
UFC 324 marks the first major card under the Paramount+ banner, signaling a significant expansion of the promotion's broadcasting reach. Though the card was announced without the previously anticipated Harrison-Nunes matchup, the title fights in place ensure a strong debut for the new platform partnership.
Among the big names set to feature prominently in 2026 is UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall. The 33-year-old Englishman out of Team Kaobon carries a 15-3 record and sits sixth in the pound-for-pound rankings. At six-foot-five with a 78-inch reach, Aspinall is one of the most physically imposing champions on the roster, and his output reflects it — he lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 67 percent accuracy.
Ilia Topuria, ranked number one pound-for-pound and second in the Lightweight division, is another marquee attraction for the year ahead. The 29-year-old from Spain holds a 17-1 record and fights out of Climent Club. Known as "El Matador," Topuria lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adds 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes to his game, making him a complete and dangerous threat at 155 pounds.
Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira rounds out the trio of stars central to the UFC's 2026 vision. "Poatan" is 38 years old, fights out of Brazil, and carries a 13-4 record. Standing six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach, the champion lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, relying almost entirely on his striking to dismantle opponents.
Why it matters
- UFC 324 launches the Paramount+ partnership with immediate title-fight credibility
- A potential five-title White House card in June would be an unprecedented promotional event
- Aspinall, Topuria, and Pereira headline a star-driven 2026 calendar across three divisions
- International cards are expected to follow, broadening the schedule further
