The UFC’s final numbered event of 2026 has two headliners locked in, and both fights carry weight beyond their official titles. On Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, Charles Oliveira will defend the ceremonial BMF championship against Diego Lopes, while Alex Pereira steps up to heavyweight to face Sergei Pavlovich. The pair of fights were announced Saturday during the UFC 332 broadcast.
Oliveira secured a pronounced victory over Max Holloway at UFC 326 back in March. Some spectators felt the win did not match the spirit of the BMF belt, since Oliveira leaned on takedowns and ground control to hinder Holloway’s striking game. Even so, Oliveira can point to one of the most extensive histories in true “BMF action.” He owns the record for most UFC wins by submission (17), most finishes (21), and most post-fight bonuses (14).
After holding the lightweight title, Oliveira moved from being a regular member of the roster into one of the top performers in a division that boasts some of the sport’s most competitive talent.
Lopes’ Long Road Up
Lopes faces Oliveira after a steady climb through the featherweight ranks. Since losing his Octagon debut, he has proven a force at 145 pounds, but he has twice come up short in opportunities to become champion. He lost both times to Alexander Volkanovski in title fights.
UFC 335 will mark Lopes’ lightweight debut, and it will be his first time fighting at 145 pounds since he last competed there, having moved up to lightweight between his two Volkanovski losses.
Pereira’s Bid for Three Divisions
Pereira’s attempt to become a three-division champion ended at UFC Freedom 250. He was stopped by Ciryl Gane in a fight for the interim heavyweight title. The loss kept him from adding a third division to his resume.
The light heavyweight title was left open when Pereira gave it up in the middle of his second run as champion, which opened the door for his next title push at heavyweight, even as it meant he no longer held the light heavyweight belt.
Pereira’s Path to the Belts
The belt came from a victory over Israel Adesanya, Pereira’s former kickboxing rival, when Pereira knocked him out to claim it. The belt did not last, though, as he lost it back in their rematch. That defeat did nothing to slow him down.
After moving up to light heavyweight, he established himself as a dominant champion, although he did fall to Magomed Ankalaev by decision. He responded swiftly, taking back his title from Ankalaev in their immediate rematch in just 80 seconds.
Pavlovich’s Heavyweight Record
Pavlovich has worked his way into regular appearances in the heavyweight rankings. His UFC record sits at 9-3, with all three of those defeats coming against top heavyweights: Alistair Overeem, Tom Aspinall (in a fight for the interim heavyweight title), and Alexander Volkov.
The Main Event Matchup
Recent results show Oliveira performing well. He took the fight against Holloway at UFC 326 and came out on top, even though some fans wondered whether the win matched the spirit of the BMF belt. The complaint was straightforward: Oliveira relied on takedowns and ground control to fully neutralize Holloway’s striking game.
The numbers back up his reputation. He holds the record for most UFC wins by submission (17), by finish (21), and most post-fight bonuses (14). That history is why he is considered one of the elite fighters in a division that is among the deepest in the sport.
Lopes’ Featherweight Track Record
Lopes has been a steady presence at 145 pounds. He lost his Octagon debut, but he has since climbed steadily through the ranks. He has proven a force at featherweight, but he has not been able to close the gap to the top.
He lost both title fights against Volkanovski, and those losses keep him from claiming the featherweight title, even as he remains a dangerous fighter at the weight.
The Card in Order
Here is how the headlining fights stack up:
- Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes — Oliveira defends the ceremonial BMF championship in the main event.
- Alex Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich — Pereira moves up to heavyweight for the first time in his career.
Both fights were announced during the UFC 332 broadcast on Saturday. The card gives fans a pair of championship fights to follow, with Oliveira defending a belt and Pereira stepping up to heavyweight for the first time in his career.
Why This Card Matters
The pairing pits two fighters whose careers took very different courses against each other. Oliveira is a champion in a division where he has spent years establishing his standing. Lopes, meanwhile, is stepping into lightweight for the first time after a long ascent through the featherweight ranks.
The fact that Pereira has moved up to heavyweight is always something worth noting, especially since he has a proven record in two other weight classes. It remains to be seen whether that record will be enough for him to compete at the highest level against a fighter like Pavlovich.
The man has met the best his division has to offer, and his three defeats came at the hands of Overeem, Aspinall and Volkov, all of them among the top heavyweights. That record suggests he will not be an easy opponent for Pereira.
On Saturday’s UFC 332 broadcast, the promotion announced two fights that will carry weight for the fighters and their divisions. Oliveira is defending a belt in a deep division, and Pereira is making his debut at a new weight class for the first time in his career. The card is set for Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.
Source material: “UFC 335 fight card: Charles Oliveira vs. Diego Lopes, Alex Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich set to headline,” CBS Sports.
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