Dana White has unveiled the first confirmed fights for early 2026, headlined by a featherweight championship rematch and a stacked UFC 324 card. The announcements, made recently, signal a busy start to the new year for the promotion, with events scheduled both in Las Vegas and a return to Sydney, Australia.
The UFC’s first numbered event of 2026, UFC 325: volkanovski vs.Lopes 2, will take place on January 31, 2026, at sydney Olympic park in New South Wales, Australia. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against diego Lopes in a rematch of their prior encounter at UFC 314. Lopes is coming off a main event victory over Jean Silva at 2025’s Noche UFC last September.
Prior to the Sydney event, UFC 324 will be held in Las Vegas, featuring a compelling main card. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’malley will face No. 5-ranked contender Song Yadong in a bout with notable title implications. The card also includes a high-stakes women’s flyweight contest between former champions Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas. Additionally, elite featherweights Arnold Allen and jean Silva are scheduled to compete, alongside a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Waldo Cortes Acosta. Umar Nurmagomedov versus Deiveson Figueiredo will also feature on the UFC 324 card.
Fans interested in attending UFC 325 in Sydney are encouraged to register their interest via the UFC website. These initial fight announcements set the stage for what promises to be an action-packed beginning to 2026 for the UFC and its global fanbase.
