UFC Oklahoma City adds 2 marquee matchups, including past title challenger

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Kevin Holland prepares to face Randy Brown of Jamaica in a welterweight fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

UFC Oklahoma City is starting to fill up with some big names.

On Thursday, the UFC announced one-time middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier will face rising contender Christian Leroy Duncan in a pivotal matchup between ranked fighters, while in the welterweight division, fan-favorite fighter Kevin Holland looks to turn back hot prospect Jacobe Smith in a key welterweight matchup.

MAKE IT LOUD ️

Two big time bouts are coming to #UFCOKC on July 18! pic.twitter.com/GZugtn5tyB

— UFC (@ufc) May 28, 2026

Currently ranked No. 14 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, Cannonier (18-9) has gone through a rough patch lately, losing three of his past four fights. Most recently, the 42-year-old “Killa Gorilla” dropped a unanimous decision to Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 319 in August.

One of the best English fighters in the UFC today, Duncan (14-2) is riding a four-fight winning streak. “CLD” had a tremendous 2025, racking up three wins, including back-to-back spinning knockouts, and earning 2025 MMA Fighting Third Team All-Violence honors. He followed that up with a unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze in March at UFC London.

One of the most active fighters in the UFC, Holland (29-15) fought five times in 2025, going just 2-3 in that stretch, including a two-fight losing streak to end the year. Holland rebounded in April, though, picking up a unanimous decision win over Randy Brown at UFC 327.

Smith (12-0)—a top prospect coming out of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024—has looked sensational in his three UFC fights, recording three stoppage wins, including most recently finishing Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston, where he earned his first Performance of the Night bonus.

UFC Oklahoma City takes place July 18 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The main event is rumored to be a middleweight bout between former champion Dricus du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, though nothing has been announced officially at this time.

Continue reading...