It’s only January 12th 2026 and there have already been eight UFC women’s fights announced this year alone. This is alongside the multiple women’s fights already announced this year, including Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes and Natalia Silva vs Rose Namajunas at UFC 324.
UFC Women’s Fight Announcements
Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Sofia Montenegro
Set to take place on February 28th in Mexico City, Ernesta Kareckaite will meet Sofia Montenegro at flyweight. Lithuania’s Kareckaite has begun her UFC career 1-1, having won via split decision last time out, rebounding from a debut loss. Despite her nickname ‘Heavy Handed’, she’s recorded just two knockouts and gone to a decision on four occasions.
Her opponent, Montenegro, hails from Argentina and will be making her official UFC debut in Mexico. She gained a contract on the Contender Series, despite losing via split decision. She’s going to want to prove that Dana White made the correct choice.
Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber
Two huge names in the flyweight division will throw down on March 28th in Seattle, Washington. Former champion, Alexa Grasso, will be looking to snap her three fight winless run as she meets the in-form and dangerous Maycee Barber.
Lat time out, Grasso was outpointed by Natalia Silva in a dominant fashion and slipped to #3 in the rankings. Barber, on the other hand, returned to action after almost two years out and multiple medical issues at UFC 323. Putting in arguably a career best performance, Barber extended her winning run to seven straight. The last woman to beat her…? Alexa Grasso in 2021.
Grasso beat Barber via unanimous decision at UFC 258, however, both women are at vastly different points in their careers now.
First Reported: KrazyKev on X
Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez
One of the more eye-catching announcements in the UFC women’s flyweight division will see former title challenger, Tatiana Suarez meet Loopy Godinez on April 11th at UFC 327. Taking place in Miami, Florida, Suarez will look to continue her pursuit back to the title by besting Mexico’s Godinez. Last time out, Suarez rebounded from her dominant title loss by narrowly outpointing Amanda Lemos in September last year.
Godinez, on the other hand, is working towards her first title opportunity and having Suarez’s name on her record will certainly help that. She’s already got former champion Jessica Andrade as a W on her record, having beaten her last time out. Her 81% takedown defence will be tested against Suarez and only time will tell if she’ll be well-rounded enough to add Suarez to her record.
First Reported: KrazyKev on X
Carli Judice vs. Juliana Miller
Carli Judice and Juliana Miller will meet in the UFC women’s flyweight division in Houston, Texas on February 21st.
Judice is hot property at 125lbs and bounced back from her UFC debut loss (a split decision) with two brutal finishes, both of which have earned her performance of the night bonuses. With five wins and five finishes, don’t expect the judges to be needed when Crispy walks in there.
Miller will be looking to go back-to-back for the first time in the UFC following her win over Ivana Petrovic last time out. The TUF 30 champion hasn’t had it easy in the UFC and with a record of 2-2 as it stands, she’ll be looking to knock over Judice to keep her place on the roster.
The two were scheduled to meet last year, however, Miller had to withdraw from the bout.
First Reported: MMAFighting
Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes
King Casey O’Neill will make her return to the octagon for the first time since August 2024 when she makes the walk to the octagon in Washington. Standing across from the Scottish Aussie who now trains out of America will be Brazil’s Gabriella Fernandes.
O’Neill burst onto the scene with four straight victories and three finishes, however, she then slipped to two straight losses, including a finish loss at the hands of Ariane Lipski. She rebounded in Perth to defeat Luana Santos via decision, however, she hasn’t competed since.
Fernandes is 3-2 in the UFC, however, all three of those wins have been in a row. She hasn’t lost since 2023 and with three good wins on her record, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Expect both women to come to fight and expect a good scrap!
First Reported: Leo Guimaraes
Nicolle Caliari vs. Carol Foro
Nicolle Caliari and Carol Foro will make the walk on March 28th. The UFC women’s strawweight contenders will both be looking to pick up their first promotional win in Washington.
Calliari is 0-2 since joining the promotion in 2024. On the contrary, Foro is making her debut after a successful jaunt on the Contender Series when she defeated Brit, Shanelle Dyer.
First Reported: Leo Guimaraes
Hailey Cowan vs. Alice Pereira
Speaking of UFC women’s contenders looking for their first UFC win, we have Hailey Cowan meeting Alice Pereira in the Apex on April 4th.
Cowan is 0-2 since gaining a contract on the Contender Series in 2022. She’s had four cancelled fights since joining the UFC and needs a win if she’s to keep her place on the roster.
Pereira had a lacklustre debut, showing a one-dimensional game against Montserrat Rendon and was lucky to only lose via split decision. The 20-year-old has a huge ceiling and expect her to have made the alterations to be better in this one.
First Reported: Marcel Dorff
Virna Jandiroba vs. Tabatha Ricci
Former title challenger, Virna Jandiroba, will be looking to get back to winning ways and cement her name in the title picture as she takes on Tabatha Ricci on April 4th. Jandiroba lost out on the belt when Mackenzie Dern outpointed her for the vacant strap at UFC 321, however, she’s in pursuit of another shot now.
Ricci put in a career best performance when she knocked out Amanda Ribas last time out, however, Baby Shark has to beat Jandiroba if she is to prove herself at the elite level.
First Reported: Leo Guimaraes
Which one of these UFC women’s fight announcements are you most excited about?
