Q2 2026 overview
April through June 2026 brings seven confirmed UFC events, including two pay-per-views and one International Fight Week card in Las Vegas. Here is our guide to everything worth watching.
UFC 316 — April 12, Las Vegas
Main event: Makhachev vs. Poirier
The lightweight title fight carries genuine competitive questions on both sides. Poirier's left hook has finished decorated wrestlers before. Makhachev has never been rocked on his feet by a legitimate power puncher. This matchup tests both observations.
Our read: Makhachev by fourth-round submission. Poirier's boxing will create early success. The grappling will eventually take over. The drama will be worth watching regardless of outcome.
Co-main: Pereira vs. Rakic
Aleksandar Rakic returned from his ACL injury with two consecutive performances that reminded observers of his pre-injury potential. He is a +160 underdog against the champion. We think that is fair — Pereira's left hand has ended every fight in his last four outings. But Rakic has the size and counter-punching ability to land something big.
UFC Fight Night — April 26, London
Fight Night London cards have historically overdelivered on atmosphere and underperformed on competitive quality. This card bucks that trend with three legitimate title eliminators on the main card.
The British contingent — Leon Edwards defending his welterweight throne (if he has re-earned it by this point), Paddy Pimblett's continued main card presence — will produce the atmospheric electricity that London Fight Night reliably generates.
UFC 317 — June 7, Las Vegas (International Fight Week)
International Fight Week is the UFC's signature annual event. The card has not been fully announced at press time, but multiple sources indicate a flyweight title defence and a women's strawweight championship rematch are targeted for the main card.
Historically, IFW cards have produced three or more performance of the night bonuses. The electricity of a sold-out T-Mobile Arena during fight week is irreplaceable.
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AiRingside Editorial Team
All RINGSIDE reports are written and reviewed by the AiRingside editorial team. Data is sourced from publicly available statistics and fight film review. Methodology is disclosed within each report.
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