The UFC returns to the Meta APEX and has the difficult task of repeating last weekend’s stunning fight night in Seattle.
This particular event doesn’t feature as many recognisable names as previous fight cards, but some shocks and surprises could be in store.
The main event sees two mixed martial artists from American Top Team go head-to-head as lightweight contender Renato Moicano takes on prospect Chris Duncan.
Here is what you need to know about the headliner, as well as three other bouts you don’t want to miss.
Brazilian has his sights on redemption
Moicano had a bizarre 2025 to say the least, just not getting results his way, especially with his unanimous decision loss against Beneil Dariush, which started with him winning the first round after a terrific knockdown.
The 36-year-old is on back-to-back defeats as prior to his UFC 317 bout, ‘Money’ stepped in on one day’s notice to challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title, losing by first-round submission at UFC 311.
In both lightweight and featherweight, the Brazilian has faced some of the toughest in the business, including Jose Aldo, Brian Ortega and Rafael Dos Anjos.
The submission specialist doesn’t stop competing against difficult competition as his upcoming opponent is an impressive, well-balanced fighter.
Before his slight downfall, the Brasília-born mixed martial artist earned his first two knockout wins, leaving the MMA community in disbelief.
Moicano was involved in an incredible comeback victory at UFC 300, defeating Jalin Turner by second-round TKO, before claiming another second-round TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) win over Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris.
The submission game is where the #10 contender is most dangerous, earning 10 victories by choking or tapping out his opponents.
A return to the win column is what Moicano will be aiming for, not allowing himself to extend his losing streak while staying in the lightweight top 15.
Duncan plans to enter the lightweight rankings
From a Brazilian veteran to a Scottish prospect, Duncan has been on a roll in his last four contests, especially in his most recent bout, where he submitted Terrance McKinney at UFC 323 in a one-round slugfest.
The 32-year-old’s fighting style was shown to be fan-friendly when he last appeared at APEX, earning a Fight of the Night bonus at UFC Vegas 108 after beating Mateusz Rebecki by unanimous decision.
Unlike his teammate, ‘The Problem’ had to enter the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), attempting twice and succeeding on the second try.
With his four-fight win streak in the 155-pound division, it only seems like the right time for the Scotsman to get his shot in the top 15.
Since his redemption against Manuel Torres, Duncan has looked like a completely different breed, especially when claiming three submission triumphs in his last four wins.
The Alloa-born fighter started his positive run by tapping out Bolaji Oki at UFC Paris in 2024, before submitting Jordan Vucenic at UFC London six months later.
With 15 total wins on his MMA record, the unranked lightweight has four submissions and has captured seven KO/TKO wins.
This contest will be the biggest of Duncan’s career as he has the opportunity to shoot straight up into #10 in the lightweight rankings.
Three fights to keep your eyes on at UFC Vegas 115
Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci
It’s a Brazilian showdown between two women’s strawweight contenders, hoping to make a statement to place themselves in the title conversation.
Jandiroba came up short in her last fight for the vacant title, losing by unanimous decision to the newly crowned champion Mackenzie Dern at UFC 321.
Ricci returned to winning ways at UFC Abu Dhabi after stopping Amanda Ribas by second-round TKO, moving up to #6 in the 115-pound rankings.
‘Carcara’ wants to bounce back to get her second chance for UFC gold, but ‘Baby Shark’ wants the same opportunity to continue her rise in the top 15.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro
A light heavyweight battle that is highly unlikely to see the judges’ scorecards, as an undefeated prospect faces a Brazilian seeking redemption.
Yakhyaev made very quick work on his debut, submitting Rafael Cerqueira in just 33 seconds of the first round at UFC Qatar, the sixth first-round finish of his career.
Ribeiro is currently on back-to-back first-round TKO defeats in his hope to bounce back, losing to Oumar Sy at UFC Paris and undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 316.
Bot wild warriors have victoriously gone the distance once in their careers and aim to impress the matchmakers for a higher-ranked opponent in their next contest.
Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam
Two mixed martial artists put their mighty winning streaks on the line at UFC Vegas 115 as a future bantamweight contender could be decided.
Ewing made his debut on short notice and captured a big, unanimous decision upset win against hyped prospect Malcolm Wellmaker at UFC 322, hoping to knock off another fighter’s undefeated record.
Estevam makes his 135-pound debut in his fourth appearance in the Meta APEX, winning his last battle in a Catchweight bout of 130lbs against Felipe Bunes by unanimous decision.
Both fighters are ideally looking to put the division on notice and show that they are the next promising showstopper in the UFC.