Let’s take a look at some of the major fights announced by the UFC on Tuesday.
Noche UFC (San Antonio, September 13)
Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos (Strawweight)
Former strawweight title challenger Tatiana Suarez (10-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) will look to rebound from the first loss of her professional career when she faces No. 4-ranked Amanda Lemos (15-4-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Suarez dropped a unanimous decision to reigning champion Zhang Weili at UFC 312 in February, following an extended layoff due to injury. She now aims to get back in the win column against Lemos, who holds notable victories over Mackenzie Dern, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Iasmin Lucindo.
UFC Perth (Australia, September 27)
Luana Carolina vs. Michelle Montague (Bantamweight)
One of the most highly touted prospects in women’s mixed martial arts is set to make her UFC debut when the promotion returns to Australia this September. Former Bellator/PFL standout Michelle Montague (6-0), who trains out of American Top Team in Florida, is scheduled to face Luana Carolina (11-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), marking Carolina’s first appearance since July 2024.
A native of New Zealand, Montague has finished all six of her professional victories via rear-naked choke — a streak that has firmly established her as a rising talent to watch.
UFC 320 (Las Vegas, October 4)
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira (UFC Light Heavyweight Championship)
The biggest of the four fights confirmed for UFC 320. After much speculation that he might be headed for a move to the heavyweight division, former middleweight and light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) has signed on the dotted line to face the man who dethroned him to capture the 205-pound title in March of this year, Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC).
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen (UFC Bantamweight championship)
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) continues to live up to his nickname, “The Machine.” He’s set to return to the Octagon to face Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in what will be his fourth title fight in less than 13 months.
Since dethroning then-champion Sean O’Malley at the Sphere in September of last year, the 34-year-old Dvalishvili has stayed relentlessly active, defeating Umar Nurmagomedov in January and submitting O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316 in June.
Sandhagen enters the bout having won three of his last four, including a TKO victory over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in May.
Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (Light Heavyweight)
Two former UFC light heavyweight title challengers are set to clash at UFC 320, as Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) makes his return against Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in a scheduled three-round bout.
Prochazka, who suffered back-to-back title fight losses to Alex Pereira in 2023 and 2024, rebounded with a win over former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January. Since then, the Czech fighter has taken time away from the sport to complete his education, recently earning a master’s degree in security and strategic studies.
Rountree Jr., meanwhile, also defeated Hill in his most recent appearance and has won six of his last seven fights — the lone setback being a title loss to Pereira at UFC 307 last October.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Muniz (Middleweight)
One addition to the UFC 320 lineup that may have flown under the radar is a middleweight matchup between Edmen Shahbazyan (15-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Andre Muniz (24-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC).
Shahbazyan has bounced back after a tough stretch in his career, winning three of his last four fights. Muniz, meanwhile, appears to be heading in the opposite direction. After a strong start in the UFC, the Brazilian has now lost three of his last four bouts.
UFC 321 (Abu Dhabi, Oct 25)
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane (UFC Heavyweight Championship
Arguably the biggest fight announced this week: With the long-standing uncertainty surrounding a potential title unification bout against Jon Jones finally put to rest after “Bones” confirmed his retirement, Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will officially step into the Octagon as the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He’s set to face Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the main event at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Gane will be looking to redeem himself after a disappointing performance in his last title opportunity. “Bon Gamin” was submitted in the first round by Jon Jones when they fought for the vacant belt in March 2023.
