Every UFC champion’s next scheduled fight
The UFC schedule for the next twelve months is anchored by a handful of confirmed title bouts and interim fights, each carrying direct consequences for the champions themselves. Fans tracking the 2026–2027 calendar want to know who is booked, where, and when the belts are on the line. That information shapes the next round of betting odds, training-camp rumors, and broadcast lineups on Paramount+.
Heavyweight title at MSG
Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight belt for the first time at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, in the main event at Madison Square Garden. His opponent is the unbeaten Josh Hokit, who steps in after Tom Aspinall vacated the title because of eye-injury complications. The booking puts the division’s top prize on a high-profile U.S. card and sets the tone for the heavyweight picture heading into 2027.
A co-main heavyweight bout between Alex Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich will run five rounds, giving the winner a clear path toward Gane’s next defense. Promoters expect the Madison Square Garden gate to exceed past records, and Paramount+ has already marketed the event as the network’s flagship November offering. The card also includes Kayla Harrison’s title defense against Amanda Nunes, a pairing that guarantees heavy mainstream coverage.
With Gane’s fight locked, the heavyweight division can now plan its 2027 slate. Any injury to the champion or Hokit would trigger an immediate reshuffle, but the current schedule leaves little doubt about the immediate future of the division.
Light heavyweight timeline
Carlos Ulberg has held the light-heavyweight title since April 2026 yet remains sidelined with a knee injury, leaving the division without a confirmed defense. The next available slot sits on the November 21 card in Qatar, where Jiri Prochazka faces undefeated Navajo Stirling. The winner is positioned as the immediate challenger once Ulberg returns.
Ulberg’s recovery timeline remains fluid, but UFC officials have indicated they will not wait indefinitely. If he is not cleared by the spring, the division could see an interim title fight inserted into a late-March or early-April U.S. card. That possibility keeps the light-heavyweight picture active even while the champion recovers.
Prochazka’s name recognition and Stirling’s perfect record give the Qatar bout built-in interest for U.S. audiences, especially with the fight streaming on Paramount+. The outcome will determine whether Ulberg returns to face a familiar opponent or an emerging prospect.
Middleweight quiet period
Sean Strickland has recorded zero defenses since capturing the middleweight title in May 2026. His most recent outing was a win over Khamzat Chimaev, but the victory has not translated into a confirmed next outing. The division’s inactivity contrasts sharply with the welterweight and lightweight schedules, leaving fans waiting for any official booking.
Promoters have floated several names, including a rematch with Israel Adesanya, but nothing has been signed. The lack of movement has prompted speculation that Strickland may wait until the division produces a clearer number-one contender. Until then, the middleweight title sits in a holding pattern.
The absence of a scheduled defense also affects television planning. Paramount+ typically slots middleweight title fights on numbered events in the first quarter, yet no such slot has been reserved. The UFC schedule will remain open until the champion’s camp commits to a date.
Welterweight interim plan
Islam Makhachev skipped a planned January 30, 2027, defense because it coincides with Ramadan. Instead, the promotion will crown an interim champion at UFC 336 in Toronto when Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales. The winner will serve as the placeholder titleholder until Makhachev returns later in the year.
Makhachev has indicated the interim bout is one of the final fights of his career, adding stakes to the Toronto main event. The 17-fight UFC win streak and the recent record-breaker at UFC 330 have turned every remaining appearance into a potential farewell tour. The interim solution keeps the division moving while preserving Makhachev’s options.
UFC 336 will stream on Paramount+ from Scotiabank Arena, pairing the welterweight interim title with Joshua Van’s flyweight defense. The double-header gives Canadian fans two title bouts on the same card and fills a gap created by Makhachev’s schedule adjustment.
Lightweight belt status
Justin Gaethje has yet to schedule his first lightweight title defense since winning the belt in June 2026. The division’s attention has shifted to Charles Oliveira, who defends the ceremonial BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on December 12, 2026, in Las Vegas. That fight keeps lightweight names in the headlines while Gaethje’s plans remain unclear.
Media speculation links Gaethje to a possible cross-division matchup with Alexander Volkanovski, but no contract has been offered. The BMF bout serves as a temporary bridge, giving fans a high-profile lightweight fight even if the undisputed belt is not on the line. Paramount+ has positioned UFC 335 as its December tentpole event.
Gaethje’s camp has not ruled out an early 2027 defense, but the lack of an announced opponent leaves the division’s immediate future open. The UFC schedule will likely add a lightweight title fight once the BMF outcome clarifies the next wave of contenders.
Featherweight momentum
Alexander Volkanovski defended the featherweight title with a second-round TKO of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 on October 24, 2026. The victory extended his reign that began in April 2025 and gave him two successful defenses. Dana White’s post-fight comments suggested the promotion is open to any matchup Volkanovski wants next.
Possible opponents include Charles Oliveira after the BMF defense or a rematch with an established featherweight. Volkanovski’s age narrative and willingness to fight anyone have kept him central to the division’s marketing. The lack of a confirmed booking leaves room for late additions to the early 2027 slate.
Paramount+ has already floated the idea of a Volkanovski headliner in February or March, depending on how the BMF situation resolves. The featherweight schedule remains flexible because the champion’s marketability allows the promotion to slot him on short notice.
Bantamweight options
Petr Yan closed his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 333, marking his first title defense since December 2025. Dana White immediately listed Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong as the two strongest candidates for Yan’s next outing. Both names carry domestic interest and would likely headline a numbered event in the first half of 2027.
The bantamweight division benefits from the clarity provided by the trilogy conclusion. With no lingering disputes, the promotion can focus on matchmaking rather than politics. O’Malley’s star power makes a rematch the default choice, yet Song’s recent surge keeps the conversation balanced.
Whichever fight is booked, the bantamweight title will likely appear on a U.S. card in the spring. The UFC schedule has open dates in March and April that align with the division’s timeline and broadcast needs.
Flyweight confirmation
Joshua Van’s flyweight title defense against Manel Kape is the only other confirmed championship bout on the current UFC schedule. The fight headlines UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30, 2027, pairing with the welterweight interim title fight. Van enters with two prior defenses and a record of 18-2.
The booking gives the flyweight division a clear next step after Van captured the belt in December 2025. Kape’s aggressive style and fan base in North America make the matchup attractive for Paramount+ subscribers. The card’s double title presentation also strengthens its market position in Canada.
With the date and opponent locked, Van’s preparation can proceed without the uncertainty that has affected other divisions. The flyweight schedule is now the most stable portion of the 2027 calendar.
Women’s title picture
Kayla Harrison defends the women’s bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in the UFC 334 co-main event on November 14, 2026. The matchup pairs an Olympic gold medalist with a returning legend and guarantees mainstream coverage beyond MMA outlets. Harrison’s reign began in June 2025, and the Nunes fight marks her first defense on U.S. soil.
Natália Silva and Mackenzie Dern hold the women’s flyweight and strawweight belts, respectively, but neither has a confirmed next opponent. Silva’s reign is only weeks old, while Dern recorded her first defense in October 2025. Their divisions remain active in rankings but quiet on the schedule.
The women’s bantamweight fight at Madison Square Garden sets the tone for how the promotion will handle the remaining female titles. A strong gate and streaming numbers could accelerate bookings for Silva and Dern in the first quarter of 2027.
Looking ahead
The current UFC schedule shows a clear split between divisions with locked dates and those still negotiating terms. Heavyweight, flyweight, and women’s bantamweight have firm plans, while middleweight, lightweight, and women’s flyweight await further movement. The interim welterweight title fight in Toronto provides the clearest bridge between 2026 and 2027. Fans tracking the UFC schedule will see the most immediate changes come from injury replacements or late additions to the early 2027 cards.
Every UFC champion’s next scheduled fight
The UFC schedule for the next twelve months is anchored by a handful of confirmed title bouts and interim fights, each carrying direct consequences for the champions themselves. Fans tracking the 2026–2027 calendar want to know who is booked, where, and when the belts are on the line. That information shapes the next round of betting odds, training-camp rumors, and broadcast lineups on Paramount+.
Heavyweight title at MSG
Ciryl Gane defends the heavyweight belt for the first time at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, in the main event at Madison Square Garden. His opponent is the unbeaten Josh Hokit, who steps in after Tom Aspinall vacated the title because of eye-injury complications. The booking puts the division’s top prize on a high-profile U.S. card and sets the tone for the heavyweight picture heading into 2027.
A co-main heavyweight bout between Alex Pereira and Sergei Pavlovich will run five rounds, giving the winner a clear path toward Gane’s next defense. Promoters expect the Madison Square Garden gate to exceed past records, and Paramount+ has already marketed the event as the network’s flagship November offering. The card also includes Kayla Harrison’s title defense against Amanda Nunes, a pairing that guarantees heavy mainstream coverage.
With Gane’s fight locked, the heavyweight division can now plan its 2027 slate. Any injury to the champion or Hokit would trigger an immediate reshuffle, but the current schedule leaves little doubt about the immediate future of the division.
Light heavyweight timeline
Carlos Ulberg has held the light-heavyweight title since April 2026 yet remains sidelined with a knee injury, leaving the division without a confirmed defense. The next available slot sits on the November 21 card in Qatar, where Jiri Prochazka faces undefeated Navajo Stirling. The winner is positioned as the immediate challenger once Ulberg returns.
Ulberg’s recovery timeline remains fluid, but UFC officials have indicated they will not wait indefinitely. If he is not cleared by the spring, the division could see an interim title fight inserted into a late-March or early-April U.S. card. That possibility keeps the light-heavyweight picture active even while the champion recovers.
Prochazka’s name recognition and Stirling’s perfect record give the Qatar bout built-in interest for U.S. audiences, especially with the fight streaming on Paramount+. The outcome will determine whether Ulberg returns to face a familiar opponent or an emerging prospect.
Middleweight quiet period
Sean Strickland has recorded zero defenses since capturing the middleweight title in May 2026. His most recent outing was a win over Khamzat Chimaev, but the victory has not translated into a confirmed next outing. The division’s inactivity contrasts sharply with the welterweight and lightweight schedules, leaving fans waiting for any official booking.
Promoters have floated several names, including a rematch with Israel Adesanya, but nothing has been signed. The lack of movement has prompted speculation that Strickland may wait until the division produces a clearer number-one contender. Until then, the middleweight title sits in a holding pattern.
The absence of a scheduled defense also affects television planning. Paramount+ typically slots middleweight title fights on numbered events in the first quarter, yet no such slot has been reserved. The UFC schedule will remain open until the champion’s camp commits to a date.
Welterweight interim plan
Islam Makhachev skipped a planned January 30, 2027, defense because it coincides with Ramadan. Instead, the promotion will crown an interim champion at UFC 336 in Toronto when Carlos Prates faces Michael Morales. The winner will serve as the placeholder titleholder until Makhachev returns later in the year.
Makhachev has indicated the interim bout is one of the final fights of his career, adding stakes to the Toronto main event. The 17-fight UFC win streak and the recent record-breaker at UFC 330 have turned every remaining appearance into a potential farewell tour. The interim solution keeps the division moving while preserving Makhachev’s options.
UFC 336 will stream on Paramount+ from Scotiabank Arena, pairing the welterweight interim title with Joshua Van’s flyweight defense. The double-header gives Canadian fans two title bouts on the same card and fills a gap created by Makhachev’s schedule adjustment.
Lightweight belt status
Justin Gaethje has yet to schedule his first lightweight title defense since winning the belt in June 2026. The division’s attention has shifted to Charles Oliveira, who defends the ceremonial BMF title against Diego Lopes at UFC 335 on December 12, 2026, in Las Vegas. That fight keeps lightweight names in the headlines while Gaethje’s plans remain unclear.
Media speculation links Gaethje to a possible cross-division matchup with Alexander Volkanovski, but no contract has been offered. The BMF bout serves as a temporary bridge, giving fans a high-profile lightweight fight even if the undisputed belt is not on the line. Paramount+ has positioned UFC 335 as its December tentpole event.
Gaethje’s camp has not ruled out an early 2027 defense, but the lack of an announced opponent leaves the division’s immediate future open. The UFC schedule will likely add a lightweight title fight once the BMF outcome clarifies the next wave of contenders.
Featherweight momentum
Alexander Volkanovski defended the featherweight title with a second-round TKO of Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 on October 24, 2026. The victory extended his reign that began in April 2025 and gave him two successful defenses. Dana White’s post-fight comments suggested the promotion is open to any matchup Volkanovski wants next.
Possible opponents include Charles Oliveira after the BMF defense or a rematch with an established featherweight. Volkanovski’s age narrative and willingness to fight anyone have kept him central to the division’s marketing. The lack of a confirmed booking leaves room for late additions to the early 2027 slate.
Paramount+ has already floated the idea of a Volkanovski headliner in February or March, depending on how the BMF situation resolves. The featherweight schedule remains flexible because the champion’s marketability allows the promotion to slot him on short notice.
Bantamweight options
Petr Yan closed his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 333, marking his first title defense since December 2025. Dana White immediately listed Sean O’Malley and Song Yadong as the two strongest candidates for Yan’s next outing. Both names carry domestic interest and would likely headline a numbered event in the first half of 2027.
The bantamweight division benefits from the clarity provided by the trilogy conclusion. With no lingering disputes, the promotion can focus on matchmaking rather than politics. O’Malley’s star power makes a rematch the default choice, yet Song’s recent surge keeps the conversation balanced.
Whichever fight is booked, the bantamweight title will likely appear on a U.S. card in the spring. The UFC schedule has open dates in March and April that align with the division’s timeline and broadcast needs.
Flyweight confirmation
Joshua Van’s flyweight title defense against Manel Kape is the only other confirmed championship bout on the current UFC schedule. The fight headlines UFC 336 in Toronto on January 30, 2027, pairing with the welterweight interim title fight. Van enters with two prior defenses and a record of 18-2.
The booking gives the flyweight division a clear next step after Van captured the belt in December 2025. Kape’s aggressive style and fan base in North America make the matchup attractive for Paramount+ subscribers. The card’s double title presentation also strengthens its market position in Canada.
With the date and opponent locked, Van’s preparation can proceed without the uncertainty that has affected other divisions. The flyweight schedule is now the most stable portion of the 2027 calendar.
Women’s title picture
Kayla Harrison defends the women’s bantamweight title against Amanda Nunes in the UFC 334 co-main event on November 14, 2026. The matchup pairs an Olympic gold medalist with a returning legend and guarantees mainstream coverage beyond MMA outlets. Harrison’s reign began in June 2025, and the Nunes fight marks her first defense on U.S. soil.
Natália Silva and Mackenzie Dern hold the women’s flyweight and strawweight belts, respectively, but neither has a confirmed next opponent. Silva’s reign is only weeks old, while Dern recorded her first defense in October 2025. Their divisions remain active in rankings but quiet on the schedule.
The women’s bantamweight fight at Madison Square Garden sets the tone for how the promotion will handle the remaining female titles. A strong gate and streaming numbers could accelerate bookings for Silva and Dern in the first quarter of 2027.
Looking ahead
The current UFC schedule shows a clear split between divisions with locked dates and those still negotiating terms. Heavyweight, flyweight, and women’s bantamweight have firm plans, while middleweight, lightweight, and women’s flyweight await further movement. The interim welterweight title fight in Toronto provides the clearest bridge between 2026 and 2027. Fans tracking the UFC schedule will see the most immediate changes come from injury replacements or late additions to the early 2027 cards.