Fighters Only : Former Contenders Seek Rebound at UFC 326

Paul Browne

Dec 21, 2025

UFC 326 continues to take shape with the addition of several pivotal matchups across multiple divisions,

With rankings implications and career momentum on the line throughout the lineup, the latest confirmed bouts add further depth to an already stacked event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 7.

Caio Borralho vs. Reinier de Ridder

Two middleweights who came close to reaching the top of the division in 2025 will look to return to the win column when they meet at UFC 326. Caio Borralho (17-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Reinier de Ridder (21-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) were both riding impressive winning streaks and appeared on course to enter the title discussion at 185 pounds before suffering their first defeats inside the Octagon in their most recent appearances.

Borralho’s lone competitive outing this year came in the main event of UFC Paris in September, where he fell short on the judges’ scorecards against Nassourdine Imavov—a result that will likely earn “The Sniper” the next call to face reigning champion Khamzat Chimaev.

Former two-division ONE Championship titleholder de Ridder took the middleweight division by storm during his debut year on the UFC roster, racking up four consecutive wins, including a victory over former champion Robert Whittaker.

His momentum was halted in October when he ran into Brendan Allen, and like Borralho, the Dutchman will be eager to get back to winning ways on March 7.

Renato Moicano vs. Brian Ortega

Renato Moicano (20-7-1 MMA, 12-7 UFC) is set to welcome former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega (16-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) to the lightweight division at UFC 326.

“T-City” moves up from 145 pounds after experiencing serious health issues during his weight cut ahead of a scheduled bout with Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai in August. Ortega has lost four of his last five fights and will be looking for a fresh start at 155 pounds.

Moicano endured a difficult 2025, suffering two defeats and finishing the year without a victory inside the Octagon. He was submitted by Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 last January after stepping in on short notice to replace Arman Tsarukyan, then dropped a decision to Beneil Dariush at UFC 317 in August.

Paulo Costa vs. Brunno Ferreira

Brunno Ferreira (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is rewarded for his excellent form throughout 2025 with a matchup against former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa (15-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC). “The Hulk” went a perfect 3-0 this year and could earn a spot in the middleweight top 15 if he gets past “The Eraser.”

Costa competed just once in 2025, securing his first Octagon victory since 2022 when he outclassed Roman Kopylov over three rounds at UFC 318 in July.