There is no top-five contender involved in the UFC 326 co-main event.
After two back-to-back numbered cards on January 24 and January 31, the UFC’s third major event of 2026 will see the Octagon return to Las Vegas.
Following Paddy Pimblett’s interim title clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, fans at T-Mobile Arena once again will not be seeing undisputed divisional gold up for grabs in March. Instead, Max Holloway will defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 326.
Ever since that rematch was announced, fans have been waiting to hear about the co-main. But not everyone is excited by what the promotion has put together.
UFC 326 confirms Caio Borralho vs Reinier de Ridder as co-main event
The call to put a BMF title fight at the top of UFC 326 was already splitting opinions before the co-main even dropped.
Plenty of fans still question what that belt really means, even after Holloway took it from Gaethje in a stunning finish back at UFC 300.
‘Blessed’ defended it last summer against Dustin Poirier on a card that did not excite many before it happened, and this one could end up being viewed the same way by fans once again.
In the co-main slot, Caio Borralho will take on Reinier de Ridder. Borralho comes into the fight ranked No. 7 at middleweight, with De Ridder just behind him at No. 8.
Neither fighter are in the top five right now, and both are coming off defeats. ‘The Natural’ lost to Nassourdine Imavov in Paris just a month before the Dutchman’s loss to Brendan Allen in Vancouver, where he did not return for the final round.
UFC 326 co-main event announcement sparks criticism over slow start to 2026
A lot of fans have been quick to react to the news that Borralho and De Ridder’s middleweight bout will serve as the lead-in to the BMF main event at UFC 326.
And while there is interest in how the match-up itself plays out, it is safe to say most are unhappy with another co-headliner that does not carry much significance for the division.
Fans have not held back their opinions, and here is a look at some of what has been said on social media.
“Trashhh.”
“UFC kinda dead.”
“They definitely gave us a banger of a main event with Oliveira and Holloway. But a part of me kinda figured they’d use that fight as an excuse to not care about the rest of the card, similar to Poirier and Holloway last year.”
“Yikes, that’s rough.”
“Absolutely diabolical start to 2026.”
“We are suffering for the White House card.”
“Dead card.”
“UFC deserves major heat for coming out of the break with *this*.”
“They might actually be saving everything for the White House.”
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