UFC’s May 2026 Slate: Two Title Fights, a Heated Rivalry, and a Heavyweight Speculative Clash

Key facts

• Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates headlines UFC Fight Night on May 2 in Perth, Australia.
• Khamzat Chimaev defends the middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.
• Van defends the flyweight title against Taira in the first UFC championship bout between two fighters born in the 2000s.
• Tom Aspinall vs. Jailton Almeida is a speculative but logical heavyweight title clash for May.
• Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan II is a rematch of their April 2019 fight, with Tsarukyan now a more seasoned contender.
• UFC plans to deploy police to keep Chimaev and Strickland apart during fight week due to their bitter rivalry.

May Opens with a Welterweight Grudge Match in Perth

The UFC’s May schedule begins on Saturday 2 May with a Fight Night card at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, headlined by a welterweight bout between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates. Della Maddalena returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing the welterweight title to pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. Prior to that setback, the Australian ace was on an 18-fight win streak culminating in him beating Belal Muhammad for the belt. Prates, a violent knockout artist, is coming off a spectacular KO win over another former champion in Leon Edwards. The matchup pits two elite strikers against each other, with Della Maddalena’s boxing acumen against Prates’s unpredictable, devastating power. The card also features Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld at lightweight, Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg at flyweight, and a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Louie Sutherland.

Middleweight Title Fight Requires Extra Security Measures

The main event of UFC 328 on May 9 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, will see Khamzat Chimaev make the first defence of his middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. The two former training partners have become bitter rivals, and the UFC plans to beef up security and even deploy police to keep them apart during fight week. Chimaev, an unbeaten grappling beast, won the title in August by shutting down South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis, the man who had dethroned Strickland. Strickland, a pressure-pushing striker, earned another opportunity to become a two-time 185-pound champion by stopping Anthony Hernandez, who entered their February bout on an eight-fight win streak. The matchup is a clash of violent, volatile personalities, with both fighters known for their unhinged demeanour inside and outside the cage.

Flyweight Title Bout Makes History with Youngest Championship Matchup

The co-headliner of UFC 328 features a historic flyweight title bout between champion Van and challenger Taira, marking the first UFC championship matchup between two fighters born in the 2000s. The new-school clash was originally scheduled for last month but was postponed after Van picked up an injury. Taira, touted as a potential future champion since entering the UFC in 2022, gets his first crack at the gold after a statement stoppage win over ex-titleholder Brandon Moreno at the end of last year. A submission specialist, Taira seeks to finally bring a UFC belt to the Land of the Rising Sun. Van, the champion, will look to defend his title against the young, hungry challenger in a bout that represents a generational shift in the division.

Speculative Heavyweight Title Clash: Aspinall vs. Almeida

Among the most anticipated potential fights for May is a heavyweight title clash between champion Tom Aspinall and Jailton Almeida. Aspinall, the division’s superstar, is known for his speed and power, landing 7.63 significant strikes per minute, the highest among active heavyweights, with an average fight time of just 2:18. Almeida brings ruthless wrestling, with a 54.1 percent takedown accuracy and an 88.4 percent control-time share, making him one of the most dangerous ground threats in the division. The stylistic breakdown is clear: Aspinall wants to keep the fight standing, punishing Almeida’s entries with blistering combinations, while Almeida aims to pressure Aspinall to the fence and turn the fight into a control battle. Betting-wise, method-of-victory markets are most appealing, with Aspinall by KO/TKO vs. Almeida by submission, and round betting could be profitable given both fighters’ tendency for early finishes.

Lightweight Rematch: Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan II

Another speculative but logical matchup for May is a rematch between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Their first fight on April 20, 2019, was highly competitive, and Tsarukyan has since improved significantly, becoming a more accurate striker, more defensively conscious, and more skilled in high-pressure situations. Makhachev, however, remains the division’s benchmark, with 14 lightweight wins, 15 UFC victories, 10 finishes, and a 91-percent takedown defense. The difference this time is maturity: Tsarukyan is stronger and more confident, while Makhachev has become more manageable and at ease during championship bouts. The rematch would test whether Tsarukyan’s evolution can overcome Makhachev’s proven championship mettle.

Broader Implications for the UFC’s 2026 Calendar

The May events are part of a packed 2026 schedule that includes title fights and fan-friendly matchups. The year kicked off on 24 January with Paddy Pimblett fighting for gold for the first time, only to be thoroughly beaten by Justin Gaethje, who claimed the interim lightweight belt. Gaethje is now set for a unification fight with superstar Ilia Topuria at the White House in June, with support from Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for an interim heavyweight title. Alexander Volkanovski fended off Diego Lopes for the second time in January to retain the featherweight strap, while Max Holloway lost his “Baddest Motherf*****” title in a defeat to Charles Oliveira in March. April saw Carlos Ulberg overcome an injury to knock out ex-champ Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light-heavyweight title in Miami.

Betting and Fan Interest Drive Speculative Matchups

The most anticipated fights are not always those formally scheduled; often, the most logical matchups in terms of rankings, style, and divisional momentum generate the most excitement. For bettors, these speculative bouts provide an initial guide to researching potential lines and fight dynamics. A keen analysis of sportsbook features, including live betting, cash-out, and variety of markets, is important, as value in a fight is often not simply the main moneyline, particularly in matches with style differences. Betting odds on UFC fights should always be verified nearer to fight week, but understanding the probable form of a fight is essential for a good MMA betting guide. The May 2026 slate, with its mix of confirmed title fights and speculative blockbusters, offers a rich landscape for both fans and bettors.

The bottom line

• The UFC’s May 2026 schedule includes two confirmed title fights: Chimaev vs. Strickland for middleweight and Van vs. Taira for flyweight.
• Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates headlines a Fight Night in Perth, featuring two elite strikers.
• The Chimaev-Strickland rivalry requires extra security, including police presence during fight week.
• A speculative heavyweight title clash between Tom Aspinall and Jailton Almeida is a logical matchup based on rankings and style.
• Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan II is a compelling rematch, with Tsarukyan now a more seasoned contender.
• The June 2026 White House card features a unification bout between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, plus an interim heavyweight title fight.