The final numbered event of the UFC’s 2026 calendar year is set to be one for the history books. Las Vegas will close out the year the same way it always does: with big fights, a packed arena, and the kind of electricity that only the fight capital of the world can generate. On December 12, 2026, the Octagon returns to the T-Mobile Arena for a night that the entire MMA community has been circling on its calendar since the announcement came on August 22, 2026.
This article covers everything known so far about the event, including confirmed details, rumored matchups, how to watch, how to buy tickets, and what the Las Vegas scene looks like for fight week.
Event Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | UFC 335 |
| Date | Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
| Venue | T-Mobile Arena |
| Location | Paradise, Nevada, Las Vegas Valley, USA |
| Main Card Start Time | 9:00 PM EST |
| Prelims Start Time | 5:00 PM EST |
| US Broadcast | Paramount+ |
| Organizer | Ultimate Fighting Championship |
| Fight Card Status | To be announced |
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
T-Mobile Arena is the spiritual home of the UFC’s biggest nights. Located in Paradise, Nevada, just off the famous Las Vegas Strip, the arena sits at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard. It holds approximately 20,000 fans for combat sports events and has hosted some of the most memorable fights in MMA history.
The venue is easy to reach. It sits within walking distance of several major Strip hotels and casinos. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft run continuously throughout fight week. Paid parking is also available in nearby structures, though arriving by rideshare is typically the quickest option given traffic conditions on fight night.
The arena’s production setup is world-class. The Octagon position, lighting rig, and sound system combine to make the in-person experience genuinely different from watching on a screen at home. For any fan who has only ever watched UFC events remotely, this is the kind of show worth attending in person at least once.
T-Mobile Arena has hosted several recent UFC events, including UFC 326 in March 2026, which drew an attendance of 19,480 and a gate of over eight million dollars. The December card is typically one of the year’s biggest draws, and the 2025 December event at the same venue drew 18,603 fans.
The Broadcast Landscape: Paramount+ Replaces Pay-Per-View
One of the biggest changes in UFC history came into effect at the start of 2026. The promotion ended its seven-year partnership with ESPN and signed a landmark deal with Paramount Skydance. As a result, all numbered UFC events, including this one, are now broadcast live on Paramount+ in the United States at no additional pay-per-view cost.
This is a meaningful shift for fans. Instead of paying a separate fee on top of an existing cable or streaming subscription, viewers simply need an active Paramount+ account. The essential plan includes ads while the premium plan removes them except during live programming. Both plans grant full access to the main card and prelims.
The main card begins at 9:00 PM EST, with preliminary bouts starting at 5:00 PM EST. Paramount+ is also the streaming home for UFC events in Latin America. International broadcast arrangements vary by country, so checking your local UFC broadcaster is recommended for viewers outside the United States.
Fight Card: What We Know So Far
As of August 25, 2026, no fights have been officially announced for this event. The UFC confirmed the date and venue during the UFC Sacramento Fight Night broadcast on August 22, and the announcement was quickly followed by significant speculation about which fighters will headline the card.
The UFC typically announces main event fighters for December numbered events several weeks after the date and venue are locked in. Therefore, fight card confirmation is expected in September or October 2026. The following section covers the most credible rumors and matchups being discussed.
Rumored and Potential Matchups
Welterweight Title Picture
The most talked-about potential booking for the remaining 2026 numbered events involves welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and his next title defense. Makhachev successfully defended the welterweight belt at UFC 330 in Philadelphia in August 2026, defeating Ian Machado Garry. He has publicly stated that he wants to fight before Ramadan begins in February 2027, which makes either UFC 334 or this event a realistic target.
The leading contender for the welterweight title is Brazilian knockout artist Carlos Prates. Following his stunning finish of Leon Edwards at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden in November 2025, Prates has repeatedly called for the title shot he claims he was promised. He publicly tagged Makhachev in a UFC 334 announcement graphic and labeled himself as the next welterweight champion. The combination of Makhachev’s deadline and Prates’ growing profile makes a title fight before the end of 2026 very likely.
Additionally, undefeated welterweight Michael Morales is considered the other top contender for the belt. If Prates ends up at UFC 334 in New York, Morales could potentially be slotted onto this December card in a high-stakes matchup of his own.
Women’s Bantamweight Division
Speculation around the women’s bantamweight title has included a potential fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. Both fighters have been mentioned in connection with the final two numbered events of 2026. A matchup of that magnitude would make for a compelling co-main or main event slot on a Las Vegas December card.
Heavyweight Division
The UFC heavyweight picture has been active in 2026. Whispers around the division include a potential title unification bout involving champion Tom Aspinall. The heavyweight division consistently draws large audiences and commands main event positioning at major numbered events.
Schedule and Timing on Fight Night
Understanding the fight night schedule helps you plan your evening, whether you are attending in person or watching from home.
| Session | Time (EST) | Time (PST) |
| Early Prelims | 5:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Main Prelims | 7:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| Main Card | 9:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Expected Main Event | 11:30 PM to 12:00 AM | 8:30 to 9:00 PM |
For Las Vegas attendees, doors typically open between one and two hours before the first prelim bout. The venue fills quickly for big numbered events. Arriving early gives you time to find your seat, pick up merchandise, and settle in before the action starts.
Tickets: How to Buy and What to Expect
Tickets for this event have not yet gone on sale as of August 25, 2026. The UFC typically releases tickets for numbered events six to ten weeks before the fight date, which puts the expected on-sale window in late September or October 2026.
When tickets do go on sale, they are available through the official UFC website at ufc.com, the T-Mobile Arena box office, and authorized resellers such as Ticketmaster. Fans can also register interest in advance through the UFC website, which sometimes grants early access to presale windows before general public sale begins.
Pricing for major UFC Las Vegas numbered events typically ranges across several tiers:
- General Admission and Upper Bowl: Usually the most affordable tier, ranging from $150 to $350 per seat.
- Floor Level: Mid-range seats in the lower bowl typically range from $400 to $900 depending on proximity to the Octagon.
- Ringside and Premium Seats: The closest seats to the action can range from $1,000 to several thousand dollars for premium Octagon-side positions.
- VIP Packages: The UFC periodically offers VIP experience packages that include premium seating, hospitality access, and meet-and-greet opportunities. These are announced separately and tend to sell quickly.
Secondary market platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek will also list tickets once they go on sale. However, prices on resale platforms frequently exceed face value, particularly for high-profile events in Las Vegas.
Given the pattern of previous December Las Vegas events, demand for this card is expected to be strong. Buying tickets through official channels as soon as they go on sale is the best way to secure seats at or near face value.
Fight Week in Las Vegas: What to Expect
Fight week around a major Las Vegas UFC event stretches well beyond fight night itself. The UFC typically schedules its open workouts, press conferences, and ceremonial weigh-ins across the days leading up to Saturday.
The ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday evening are free to attend and draw large crowds. They take place at the T-Mobile Arena or a nearby venue and serve as a public event where fans can see the fighters face off ahead of the bout. Fighter arrivals at Las Vegas hotels also tend to draw fan gatherings throughout the week.
The Las Vegas Strip itself becomes an informal gathering point for MMA fans during fight week. The restaurants, sports bars, and casinos near the arena are packed with fans from around the world. Hotels within walking distance of T-Mobile Arena fill up quickly, so booking accommodation early is strongly recommended for anyone traveling to Las Vegas for this event.
Why This Event Matters: The Final Show of 2026
Closing out the year is not just a symbolic occasion for the UFC. December Las Vegas events have consistently produced some of the sport’s biggest moments. The pressure to end the calendar year on a high note tends to result in ambitious matchmaking and compelling cards.
This event is the 12th and final numbered event of the UFC’s 2026 calendar year. The promotion has also run 30 UFC Fight Night events this year and hosted the landmark UFC at the White House in June. Therefore, the December Las Vegas show carries the weight of closing one of the busiest years in the promotion’s history.
The shift to Paramount+ has also changed the calculus around December events. Without pay-per-view revenue driving matchmaking decisions, the emphasis falls more directly on producing compelling sporting content that drives subscriptions and engagement on the streaming platform. That alignment between subscriber expectations and matchmaking ambition is likely to result in a well-constructed card when the bouts are announced.
Conclusion
UFC 335 takes place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. It serves as the final numbered event of the UFC’s 2026 calendar year and streams live in the United States on Paramount+ at no additional pay-per-view charge. The main card begins at 9:00 PM EST. No fights have been officially announced as of August 25, 2026, but strong speculation surrounds a potential welterweight title fight involving Islam Makhachev and Carlos Prates, a women’s bantamweight matchup, and possible heavyweight action. Tickets are expected to go on sale in late September or October 2026 through ufc.com and Ticketmaster. Fans traveling to Las Vegas for fight week should book hotels early, as accommodation near T-Mobile Arena fills quickly ahead of major numbered events. Fight card announcements, ticket availability, and broadcast updates will roll out in the weeks ahead as the December date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does UFC 335 take place?
UFC 335 is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Valley. The main card starts at 9:00 PM EST and the preliminary card begins at 5:00 PM EST.
How can I watch UFC 335 in the United States?
The event streams live on Paramount+ in the United States. As of 2026, all UFC numbered events are available on Paramount+ with an active subscription, at no additional pay-per-view cost. Both the ad-supported Essential plan and the ad-free Premium plan grant full access to the main card and prelims.
When do UFC 335 tickets go on sale and where can I buy them?
Tickets have not yet gone on sale as of August 25, 2026. They are expected to become available in late September or October 2026 through the official UFC website at ufc.com, the T-Mobile Arena box office, and authorized platforms such as Ticketmaster. Fans can register interest on the UFC website to receive presale notifications.
What fights are expected to headline UFC 335?
No fights have been officially confirmed. However, welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is expected to defend his title before Ramadan begins in February 2027, making this event a realistic target. Carlos Prates is the leading contender for that fight. Women’s bantamweight and heavyweight bouts have also been discussed as potential main card features.
Is UFC 335 the last UFC event of 2026?
UFC 335 is the 12th and final numbered event of the UFC’s 2026 calendar year. Additional UFC Fight Night events may still be scheduled for late November and December, but this is confirmed as the last major numbered show of the year.
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