As the spotlight shines on New Orleans this week and the mixed‑martial‑arts world focuses on Dustin Poirier’s “last dance” against Max Holloway at UFC 318, several fight announcements may have flown under the radar over the past few days. Here’s a look at the matchups the UFC unveiled this week.
Steve Erceg vs. HyunSung Park
Steve Erceg (12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) returns to the Octagon at UFC Vegas 109 on August 9, looking to halt a tough skid after three straight losses. The former title challenger came close to upsetting flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja last year, but now finds himself in must-win territory.
“Astroboy” had originally been set to face Alex Perez, but following an injury to the Californian, undefeated South Korean phenom HyunSung Park (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has been drafted in to take his place. Park has impressed with his slick submissions and sharp striking, and a win here could vault him into the top tier of the division. This is a pivotal matchup for both men.
Sam Patterson vs. Trey Waters
Sam Patterson (13-2-1 MMA, 3-1-0 UFC) returns to action at UFC Paris on September 6, aiming to build on the momentum from his stunning knockout win over Danny Barlow earlier this year. The tall, rangy Brit has shown flashes of brilliance, blending aggressive striking with underrated grappling.
Across the cage, Trey Waters (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) brings his own dangerous toolkit—sharp hands, excellent distance control, and a knack for finding finishes. With both fighters looking to make a statement in a crowded welterweight division, this matchup promises to deliver a possible breakout moment for the winner on European soil.
Lucas Rocha vs. Stewart Nicoll
Lucas Rocha (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) returns to home soil at UFC Rio on October 11, eager to bounce back in front of a passionate Brazilian crowd. After being submitted by Clayton carpenter in his Octagon debut last October, Rocha will look to put on a show and remind fans why he was once seen as a future contender.
Across from him stands Australia’s Stewart Nicoll (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), a gritty grappler with a relentless motor and a knack for dragging opponents into deep waters. It’s a classic clash of styles—Rocha’s firepower versus Nicoll’s grind—and one that could steal the spotlight in Rio.
Stephanie Luciano vs. Ravena Oliveira
Stephanie Luciano (6-2-1 MMA, 1-1-0 UFC) and Ravena Oliveira (7-2-1 MMA, 0-1-0 UFC) square off in an all-Brazilian showdown at UFC Vancouver on October 18, with both strawweights looking to make a serious statement.
Luciano, known for her sharp Muay Thai and relentless forward pressure, returns after a narrow loss and is hungry to prove she belongs among the division’s rising talents. Across from her, Oliveira brings serious knockout power and an aggressive style that’s finished most of her wins inside the distance.
Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida
UFC 321 could determine the next heavyweight title challenger.
Alexander Volkov (38-11 MMA, 12-5 UFC) and Jailton Almeida (22-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will clash on October 25 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, marking the event’s first confirmed fight.
Volkov, a former Bellator and M-1 Global champ, has been a steady force near the top of the UFC heavyweight division. He recently lost a close split decision to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 but had previously defeated top contenders like Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Tai Tuivasa.
Almeida, who moved up from light heavyweight, has looked impressive during his heavyweight run so far. After falling to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299, he’s bounced back with dominant first-round stoppages of Alexander Romanov and Serghei Spivac.
