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The UFC is having another phenomenal year of huge fights and shocking results. The numbered cards, which used to be pay-per-views, are always the fight cards stacked with the most talent.
The last numbered event was the Conor McGregor blunder that was UFC 329. Next is in Philadelphia, as Islam Makhachev defends his welterweight title against the surging Irish contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
MORE: UFC Power Rankings before Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi
After next month’s numbered event, there aren’t any main events announced for numbered cards in September, October, November, and December. Since those cards aren’t announced yet, there’s no better time to predict who will headline those huge events.
Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) fights Joshua Van (blue gloves) during UFC 323. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
A rematch that has to happen. Van won the UFC flyweight title via first-round TKO against Pantoja, but it was due to Pantoja hurting his arm. Since the fight was ruled over within seconds, there needs to be closure.
Van has since defended his title against Taitsuro Taira, but many around the world still view Pantoja as the best flyweight on the planet. Pantoja is healthy and ready to go, and Van is the youngest champion on the roster and loves to stay active.
MORE: Dustin Poirier apologizes on air for airport incident that led to arrest
Apr 12, 2025; Miami, Florida, UNITED STATES; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) reacts after defeating Diego Lopes. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Volkanovski defended his featherweight title early this year against Diego Lopes on January 31st. An October return would be eight months removed from that bout.
A bout in which Volkanovski didn’t really take too much damage or have any obvious injuries. Eight months is ample time for a return, and there’s one clear contender ready for the challenge.
MORE: Dricus Du Plessis vs rival contender, and more fights to make after UFC OKC
Evloev is widely considered the toughest test for Volkanovski. After his decision win over Lerone Murphy, Evloev is the clear No. 1 contender. This also works for Evloev because the UFC usually goes to Abu Dhabi in October, which means lots of Russian fighters will be on the card.
There’s no reason Volk shouldn’t fight again this year; October makes perfect sense.
Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., UNITED STATES; Ciryl Gane reacts after a win against Alex Pereira. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The November numbered card is annually in New York City. Tom Aspinall won his interim heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden back in 2023 and now needs to defend his undisputed title.
Aspinall and Gane have history, as they fought in October of 2025. The fight ended in the first round due to Gane eye-poking Aspinall.
Since that fight, Aspinall underwent double eye surgery, which is why Gane had to fight Alex Pereira in an interim title fight at the White House.
Aspinall has stated that he’s back to training and is ready to fight. November at Madison Square Garden is the perfect setting for an undisputed heavyweight title fight.
May 9, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Khamzat Chimaev (red gloves) fights Sean Strickland. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
It feels like a rematch for the middleweight title is what’s coming next. Dricus Du Plessis is certainly deserving and has two wins over Strickland. Nassourdine Imavov is the rightful No. 1 contender, riding a 5-fight win streak.
None of them are the star that Khamzat Chimaev is, and at the end of the day, this is a business. Strickland is also game to fight anyone; he’s never been someone to turn down an opponent.
Before the Conor McGregor pre-fight press conference, Strickland and Chimaev were the most viewed of this year. There’s no questioning that this matchup will bring the eyes and attention of UFC fans.
Continue reading...
The last numbered event was the Conor McGregor blunder that was UFC 329. Next is in Philadelphia, as Islam Makhachev defends his welterweight title against the surging Irish contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
MORE: UFC Power Rankings before Fight Night 282 in Abu Dhabi
After next month’s numbered event, there aren’t any main events announced for numbered cards in September, October, November, and December. Since those cards aren’t announced yet, there’s no better time to predict who will headline those huge events.
UFC 331 main event: Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja
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Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Alexandre Pantoja (red gloves) fights Joshua Van (blue gloves) during UFC 323. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
A rematch that has to happen. Van won the UFC flyweight title via first-round TKO against Pantoja, but it was due to Pantoja hurting his arm. Since the fight was ruled over within seconds, there needs to be closure.
Van has since defended his title against Taitsuro Taira, but many around the world still view Pantoja as the best flyweight on the planet. Pantoja is healthy and ready to go, and Van is the youngest champion on the roster and loves to stay active.
MORE: Dustin Poirier apologizes on air for airport incident that led to arrest
UFC 332 main event: Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
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Apr 12, 2025; Miami, Florida, UNITED STATES; Alexander Volkanovski (red gloves) reacts after defeating Diego Lopes. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Volkanovski defended his featherweight title early this year against Diego Lopes on January 31st. An October return would be eight months removed from that bout.
A bout in which Volkanovski didn’t really take too much damage or have any obvious injuries. Eight months is ample time for a return, and there’s one clear contender ready for the challenge.
MORE: Dricus Du Plessis vs rival contender, and more fights to make after UFC OKC
Evloev is widely considered the toughest test for Volkanovski. After his decision win over Lerone Murphy, Evloev is the clear No. 1 contender. This also works for Evloev because the UFC usually goes to Abu Dhabi in October, which means lots of Russian fighters will be on the card.
There’s no reason Volk shouldn’t fight again this year; October makes perfect sense.
UFC 333 Main Event: Tom Aspinall vs Cyril Gane
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Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., UNITED STATES; Ciryl Gane reacts after a win against Alex Pereira. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The November numbered card is annually in New York City. Tom Aspinall won his interim heavyweight title at Madison Square Garden back in 2023 and now needs to defend his undisputed title.
Aspinall and Gane have history, as they fought in October of 2025. The fight ended in the first round due to Gane eye-poking Aspinall.
Since that fight, Aspinall underwent double eye surgery, which is why Gane had to fight Alex Pereira in an interim title fight at the White House.
Aspinall has stated that he’s back to training and is ready to fight. November at Madison Square Garden is the perfect setting for an undisputed heavyweight title fight.
UFC 334 Main Event: Sean Strickland vs Khamzat Chimaev
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May 9, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Khamzat Chimaev (red gloves) fights Sean Strickland. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
It feels like a rematch for the middleweight title is what’s coming next. Dricus Du Plessis is certainly deserving and has two wins over Strickland. Nassourdine Imavov is the rightful No. 1 contender, riding a 5-fight win streak.
None of them are the star that Khamzat Chimaev is, and at the end of the day, this is a business. Strickland is also game to fight anyone; he’s never been someone to turn down an opponent.
Before the Conor McGregor pre-fight press conference, Strickland and Chimaev were the most viewed of this year. There’s no questioning that this matchup will bring the eyes and attention of UFC fans.
Continue reading...
