2026 in UFC

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2026 in UFC
Logo of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.svg
Information
First dateJanuary 13, 2025 (2025-01-13)
Last dateTBD
Events
Total eventsTBD
UFCTBD
TUF Finale eventsTBD
Fights
Total fightsTBD
Title fightsTBD
Chronology
2025 in UFC 2026 in UFC2027 in UFC

The year 2026 is the 34th year in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States.

Contents

UFC in 2026

Class action: anti-trust lawsuits

Johnson v. Zuffa

Based on court filings from late July 2025, the Johnson v. Zuffa antitrust lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, is proceeding, and status conference for the case is scheduled for late August 2025. [1]

Cirkunovs v. Zuffa and Davis v. Zuffa

In May 2025, two antitrust lawsuits were filed against the UFC. One, led by former fighter Misha Cirkunov, specifically challenges the enforceability of arbitration clauses and class action waivers in UFC contracts. [2] [3] The other lawsuit, filed by former fighter Phil Davis, alleges that the UFC's anticompetitive practices also negatively impacted the ability of non-UFC fighters to secure fair wages. [4] [5] [6]

Paramount and CBS partnership

On August 11, 2025, the UFC announced a seven-year media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance Corporation worth $7.7 billion. Paramount+ will exclusively stream all events for seven years, starting in 2026. Some numbered events will also air on CBS. The agreement will allow the UFC to move away from pay-per-view as events will stream on Paramount+ at no additional cost. All 13 of the UFC's flagship events and 30 Fight Nights a year will be streamed on the Paramount+ service. [7] UFC CEO and President Dana White announced the UFC would produce four big events per year on CBS, and that the UFC's planned card for the White House on July 4, 2026 would one of those events. [8]

White House event

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, the UFC plans to hold a historic mixed martial arts event on the grounds of the White House in June 2026, marking the first professional sporting event ever staged at the presidential residence. [9] [10]

The event was first announced by President Donald Trump on July 3, 2025, during a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds: [11] On August 29, 2025, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed via social media that plans for the event had been finalized, stating, "We had the meeting at the White House... The White House fight is on." [12]

Releases and retirements

These fighters have either been released from their UFC contracts, announced their retirement, or joined other promotions:

Debut UFC fighters

The following fighters fought their first UFC fight in 2025:

Suspended fighters

The list below is based on fighters suspended either by (1) United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) or World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for violation of taking prohibited substances or non-analytical incidents, (2) by local commissions on misconduct during the fights or at event venues, or (3) by the UFC for reasons also stated below.

ISO NameNicknameDivisionFromDurationTested positive for / InfoByEligible to
fight again		Ref.Notes
Flag of the United States.svg Walt Harris The Big TicketHeavyweightJuly 11, 20234 years Drostanolone and its metabolites, exogenous testosterone, and Anastrozole CSADJuly 11, 2027 [13] Parted with UFC as of March 2025.
Flag of Brazil.svg Marcos Rogério de Lima PezãoHeavyweightJanuary 24, 20251 year Anastrozole CSADJanuary 24, 2026 [14] Second violation under the UFC. Parted ways with the UFC in March 2025.
Flag of Ukraine.svg Danylo VoievodkinHeavyweightNovember 10, 20242 years Meldonium CSADNovember 10, 2026 [15] Parted ways with the UFC in March 2025.
Flag of the United States.svg Alvin HinesGoozieHeavyweightJuly 11, 20251 yearAnabolic steroid Drostanolone CSADJuly 11, 2026 [16]

[17]

Parted ways with the UFC in August 2025.
Flag of Ukraine.svg Maryna Moroz The Iron LadyWomen's FlyweightJuly 17, 20251 year Meldonium CSADJuly 17, 2026 [18]

The Ultimate Fighter

The following The Ultimate Fighter season is scheduled for broadcast in 2025:

SeasonDivisionWinnerRunner-upRef

Title fights

Title fights in 2025
Weight classMethodRoundTimeEventNotes

    Events list

    Scheduled events

    EventDateVenueCityCountryRef.
    UFC White House June 2026 White House South Lawn Washington, D.C. United States [19]

    Past events

    #EventDateVenueCityCountryAtten.Ref.Fight of the NightPerformance of the NightBonusRef.

    See also

    References

    1. ↑ "Johnson et al v. Zuffa, LLC dba Ultimate Fighting Championship et al, No. 2:2021cv01189 - Document 221 (D. Nev. 2025)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    2. ↑ "Cirkunovs v. Zuffa LLC et al, No. 2:2025cv00914 - Document 17 (D. Nev. 2025)". Justia Law. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    3. ↑ "UFC sued by ex-fighter in lawsuit that could change everything". MMA Knockout On SI. 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    4. ↑ "Davis v. Zuffa, LLC et al". Justia Dockets & Filings. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    5. ↑ read, Mark Anderson·2 min (2025-06-02). "Former UFC fighters file lawsuits, alleging the MMA promotion restricts their earning potential". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2025-08-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    6. ↑ "Two former UFC fighters file new antitrust lawsuits against promotion". CBSSports.com. 2025-05-31. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    7. ↑ Sweney, Mark (2025-08-11). "Paramount pays $7.7bn for exclusive US rights deal with UFC". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    8. ↑ "Dana White Promises 4 "Big Events" On CBS Per Year Under UFC's New Paramount Deal". 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
    9. ↑ Shakiel Mahjouri (2025-08-29). "UFC CEO Dana White confirms event at White House is on after meeting with Trump administration". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
    10. ↑ Ryan Morik (2025-09-05). "UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
    11. ↑ Damon Martin (2025-07-04). "President Trump reveals plans to hold a UFC event at the White House in 2026". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
    12. ↑ Jack Baer (2025-08-31). "UFC CEO Dana White says White House card is officially happening after meeting with Trump administration". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
    13. ↑ "Midnight Mania! The Big Ticket's Big Suspension". MMAmania.com. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
    14. ↑ Nolan King (2025-03-06). "UFC heavyweight Marcos Rogerio de Lima suspended one year for failed drug test". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
    15. ↑ Nolan King (2025-03-20). "UFC signee Danylo Voievodkin suspended two years for failed drug test". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-03-20.
    16. ↑ Meshew, Jed (2025-08-15). "UFC heavyweight accepts 1-year suspension for doping violation". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-08-15.
    17. ↑ Nasir Jabbar (2025-08-16). "UFC fighter handed one-year ban and fired by Dana White just weeks after making debut". sportbible.com. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
    18. ↑ Alexander K. Lee (2025-09-02). "UFC flyweight veteran suspended 1 year for failed drug test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
    19. ↑ Ryan Morik (2025-09-05). "UFC White House plans revealed, including weigh-ins at Lincoln Memorial: report". foxnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
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