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2026 has been a great year for MMA betting, but we still have a lot more to come through the remainder of the year. At the end of this piece, we will look ahead to the upcoming UFC Fight Night card, but before we get into that, we thought it might be fun to do a quick recap of the major events that we have already seen this year.
There have been some fantastic bouts inside the octagon, with title changes, instant classics, and performances that have completely reshaped multiple divisions. Let’s start by quickly breaking down the biggest UFC moments of 2026 before getting to the predictions for the next event on the calendar.
The Biggest Events of 2026 to This Point
There is usually some distance between the numbered events in the UFC schedule, but 2026 started with back-to-back major cards that immediately set the tone for what has already become a memorable year for fight fans.
UFC 324 delivered one of the most entertaining battles of the year when Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett stepped into the cage for an absolute war. The bout easily earned Fight of the Night honors after five brutal rounds filled with momentum swings, heavy exchanges, and nonstop pressure. Gaethje eventually got the win, but it may have been one of the toughest victories of his career.
Just one week later, UFC 325 featured a Featherweight Championship rematch at the top of the main card. Alexander Volkanovski entered the bout as champion and successfully defended the belt against Diego Lopes in a highly competitive fight that went the distance. Lopes pushed the pace throughout, but Volkanovski once again proved why he remains one of the elite fighters in the sport.
UFC 326 arrived in early March and gave fans a matchup between two UFC legends, even without a title fight in the headline slot. Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira delivered a technical and exhausting five-round battle that showcased elite striking, pressure, and cardio from both men. Oliveira ultimately earned the unanimous decision victory after one of the most competitive fights of the spring.
One month later, it was time for UFC 327, and this event brought another championship matchup to center stage. The Light Heavyweight title fight between Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka ended quickly, but not before Ulberg made a statement with a devastating opening-round finish. The performance earned him the championship belt as well as a Performance of the Night bonus.
Earlier this month, UFC 328 headed to Newark, New Jersey, with a pair of title fights leading the card. The main event featured Khamzat Chimaev defending the Middleweight Championship against Sean Strickland. Many fans expected Chimaev to dominate, but Strickland shocked the MMA world by grinding out a split decision victory to capture the belt.
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What’s Next in the UFC?
Saturday, May 30 delivers the next event on the UFC calendar, and while it may not be a numbered PPV card, this Fight Night lineup still has several competitive matchups worth watching closely from a betting perspective.
There are six fights scheduled for the main card, featuring a mix of rising contenders, experienced veterans, and fighters attempting to bounce back after difficult recent losses. Let’s take a quick look at each matchup along with our early prediction.
Perez Vs Sumudaerji
Perez enters this bout as the betting favorite, although the recent form between these two fighters is actually closer than the odds suggest. Sumudaerji has looked sharp in recent appearances and continues to improve his striking volume, but Perez still appears to have the more complete skill set overall. I think experience and pressure become the deciding factors here, so I’m backing Perez to get the win.
Matthews Vs Harris
This matchup has the potential to end quickly. Jake Matthews appears to have a clear edge in both power and pace, and if he is able to establish control early, this could become a difficult fight for Harris to survive. Matthews has shown the ability to finish aggressively when he smells an opportunity, which is why I like him to secure a first-round knockout victory.
Asakura Vs Smotherman
This is another bout that may not last very long. Asakura has explosive striking and tends to start fast, while Smotherman has occasionally struggled when pressured early in fights. If Asakura is able to dictate the tempo from the opening exchange, I think he gets this one done quickly with another early stoppage.
Pavlovich Vs Teixeira
Pavlovich enters this fight as one of the biggest favorites on the card as he looks to build momentum with a third straight victory after previously dropping back-to-back bouts. His size, striking power, and aggression make him extremely dangerous at heavyweight, and this matchup looks favorable on paper. To me, this feels like another comfortable win for Pavlovich.
Zhang Vs Menifield
The co-main event of the evening appears to be far more evenly matched than several of the earlier fights on the card. Both fighters possess finishing ability, and both are capable of creating chaos in exchanges. Even so, I think Zhang ultimately lands the more damaging shots and earns the knockout win before the final bell.
Song Vs Figueiredo
The main event features two fighters attempting to rebound after difficult losses in their previous appearances. Song and Figueiredo both have the ability to control a fight with striking combinations and movement, which could make this a tactical battle rather than an all-out brawl. I think Song does enough to secure the victory, although this one feels likely to go the distance.
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