UFC returns to Oklahoma City with a Fight Night card at the Paycom Center on July 18, 2026. The announced bouts include a middleweight matchup where Jared Cannonier faces Christian Leroy Duncan and a welterweight matchup where Kevin Holland faces Jacobe Smith. Holland enters after an April decision win over Randy Brown that ended a two-fight skid. Holland has gone 3-2 since moving back to welterweight last year, while Smith remains undefeated at 12-0 overall and 3-0 in the UFC, with all UFC wins ending inside the distance. Cannonier is 1-3 in his last four and seeks a rebound after a loss to Michael “Venom” Page. Duncan has won four straight, including wins over Eryk Anders and Roman Dolidze.
"On Thursday, promotion officials announced a pair of bouts set for the Fight Night card, which takes place at the Paycom Center on July 18, 2026. In a middleweight match-up, Jared Cannonier faces off against England's Christian Leroy Duncan, while at welterweight, Kevin Holland takes on Jacobe Smith."
"Holland (29-15, 1NC) will be fighting for the second time in 2026 when he takes on up-and-comer Smith. "The Trailblazer" enters the match-up off an April victory over Randy Brown that went the distance and saw Holland snap a two-fight skid. Since returning to welterweight last year, Holland is 3-2 through five fights. Smith (12-0), meanwhile, is undefeated in his professional MMA career and 3-0 in the UFC to date. All three of those wins have come inside the distance."
"A former title challenger who came up short against Israel Adesanya, Jared Cannonier (18-9) is 1-3 in his last four and looking to bounce back from a loss to Michael "Venom" Page. Now 42, another setback could spell the end for Cannonier; like Holland, he gets an up-and-comer in Christian Leroy Duncan (14-2). A former Cage Warriors star, "CLD" has won four straight including fights against Eryk Anders and Roman Dolidze."
"While not officially announced, middleweights Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman have been rumored to headline the event. Reported thus far for UFC Oklahoma City are the following match-ups: Brad Tavares vs. Marc-André Barriault; Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez; Veronica Hardy vs. Dione Barbosa; Amanda Ribas vs. Fatima Kline; Alvin Hines vs. Allen Frye Jr.; Felipe Franco vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.; Kevin Holland vs. Jacobe Smith; Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan; Stewart Nicoll vs. Alden Coria."
Read at Cageside Press
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