UFC Announces Four April Headliners, Including UFC 327 Title Fight
The UFC has unveiled a stacked April schedule featuring a championship bout at UFC 327, a return to Winnipeg, and two Fight Night events at the UFC Apex.
From April 4 through April 25, the promotion will deliver action every Saturday night — kicking off and closing the month at the Apex, with stops in Miami, Florida and Winnipeg, Canada in between.
April 4 – UFC Apex
Renato Moicano vs. Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
April begins with a compelling lightweight matchup as No. 10-ranked Renato “Money” Moicano meets surging Scotsman Chris Duncan.
Moicano has elevated his profile in recent years — not just through his all-action fighting style, but with his unfiltered personality and growing presence outside the Octagon. When the UFC needed a last-minute replacement for Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, the Brazilian stepped up to face lightweight king Islam Makhachev. Entering that bout on a four-fight win streak, Moicano now looks to defend his Top 10 position and avoid a three-fight skid.
Duncan, a former Bellator standout, went 2-1 in his first three UFC appearances, with all three bouts going to the scorecards. Since then, he has surged forward with a four-fight win streak, three of those victories coming by submission. His anaconda choke finish of Terrance McKinney at UFC 323 was widely viewed as his breakout moment with fans.
April 11 – UFC 327
Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira – UFC Flyweight Championship
Kaseya Center – Miami, Florida
The month’s marquee event arrives at UFC 327, where flyweight champion Joshua Van makes his first title defense against Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira at the Kaseya Center.
Van captured the title under controversial circumstances, with critics pointing to the injury that ended the championship bout. Still, the 4oz Fight Club product has been on a tear, winning seven fights over the past two years. His decision victory over Brandon Royval — considered by many a Fight of the Year contender — catapulted him into title contention.
Taira, 26, rebounded from his first professional loss with back-to-back second-round finishes. A slick ground specialist, he earned his eighth career submission via neck crank against Hyun Sung Park and secured this title opportunity after stopping former champion Brandon Moreno with ground-and-pound.
April 18 – Canada Life Centre
Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott (Welterweight)
Winnipeg, Canada
The UFC returns to Winnipeg with a welterweight showdown at the Canada Life Centre, as No. 11-ranked Gilbert Burnsmeets Canada’s own “Proper” Mike Malott.
Burns remains one of the division’s most battle-tested veterans. A former welterweight title challenger in 2021, the Brazilian brings elite grappling credentials and proven knockout power.
Malott enters on a three-fight win streak and continues to evolve into one of Canada’s most reliable contenders. Known for his technical precision and well-structured game plans, this matchup represents a significant opportunity to break into the Top 10.
April 25 – UFC Apex
Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
The UFC closes out April back at the Apex with a pivotal Top 10 welterweight clash between No. 6-ranked Sean Bradyand No. 9-ranked Joaquin Buckley.
This is a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup. Brady’s path to victory often runs through dominant grappling exchanges, while Buckley thrives in striking battles.
Brady has won three of his last four fights, making emphatic statements with a kimura submission of Kelvin Gastelumand a guillotine choke finish of former champion Leon Edwards.
Buckley, meanwhile, went a perfect 4-0 in 2025, scoring consecutive knockout victories over former title challengers Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.
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