UFC announced its first-quarter 2026 schedule, kicking off with UFC 324 on Paramount+ featuring two title fights, marking the promotion's debut on the platform. Dana White teased a historic White House event on July 4 with up to five title bouts, potentially the biggest in UFC history. This shift to new broadcasting partners like Paramount+ and CBS expands reach. It reshapes the landscape for stars like Tom Aspinall, Ilia Topuria, and Alex Pereira. Fans can expect rapid developments in superfights and title picture as the year unfolds.
The UFC has officially unveiled its first-quarter 2026 schedule, headlined by UFC 324 on Paramount+, with two title fights set for the card. The event marks the promotion's debut on the platform, signaling a significant shift in its broadcasting strategy as it expands to new partners including Paramount+ and CBS.
UFC president Dana White also teased what could be the most ambitious single event in the promotion's history — a July 4 White House card featuring as many as five title bouts.
Tom Aspinall, the UFC heavyweight champion at 33 years old, looms large over the reshaping landscape. The six-foot-five Englishman out of Team Kaobon carries a 15-3 record and ranks sixth in the pound-for-pound standings. His numbers are striking in every sense — he lands 7.63 significant strikes per minute at a 67 percent accuracy rate, among the most efficient outputs in the division.
Ilia Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and first overall in the pound-for-pound rankings, enters this new era with a 17-1 record and growing star power. The 29-year-old Spaniard known as El Matador stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and lands nearly five significant strikes per minute. His rise through the featherweight and lightweight ranks makes him one of the most marketable names on any future card.
Alex Pereira, the light heavyweight champion, rounds out the trio of names central to where the title picture heads next. The 38-year-old Brazilian known as Poatan carries a 13-4 record and brings a six-foot-four frame with a 79-inch reach. He lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 62 percent accuracy, relying almost exclusively on his striking to finish opponents.
Why it matters
- UFC 324 launches the promotion's Paramount+ era with immediate championship stakes
- A potential five-title-fight July 4 event would be unprecedented in UFC history
- Aspinall, Topuria, and Pereira are positioned as anchors for the new broadcasting deal's marquee cards
- Expanded reach through CBS and Paramount+ could significantly grow the promotion's audience heading into 2026
