UFC adds several new matchups to Winnipeg fight card
MMA Fighting
March 5, 2026
VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 18: Mike Malott celebrates his victory over Kevin Holland during the UFC Fight Night at Rogers Arena on October 18, 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jordan Jones/Getty Images) | Getty Images
UFC Winnipeg is starting to fill out.
Next month, the UFC returns to Canada for the first time in 2026 with UFC Winnipeg at the Canada Life Centre in Manitoba. The event is headlined by a welterweight scrap between former title challenger Gilbert Burns, and rising Canadian contender Mike Malott, and on Wednesday, the promotion made a bevy of undercard bouts official, featuring several of Canada’s finest.
At middleweight, Quebec’s Julien Leblanc makes his promotional debut against former Ultimate Fighter competitor Robert Valentin. At heavyweight, Tanner Boser returns to the octagon after a brief stint on the regional circuit, taking on promotional newcomer Gokhan Saricam. And at women’s bantamweight, Melissa Croden makes her third UFC appearance as she takes on Darya Zheleznyakova.
Also announced for the card, Donghun Choi faces Andre Lima, and Mitch Raposo squares off with Allan Nascimento in flyweight tilts, and John Castañeda welcomes Mark Vologdin to the UFC, fresh off Vologdin’s Contender Series battle with Adrian Luna Martinetti that received Fight of the Year consideration in 2025.
UFC Winnipeg takes place on April 18.
Check out the updated UFC Winnipeg fight card below.
Gilbert Burns (22-9) vs. Mike Malott (13-2-1)
Jasmine Jasudavicius (14-4) vs. Karine Silva (19-6)
John Castañeda (21-8) vs. Mark Vologdin (12-4-1)
Mitch Raposo (10-3) vs. Allan Nascimento (22-6)
Donghun Choi (9-0) vs. Andre Lima (11-0)
Melissa Croden (7-3) vs. Darya Zheleznyakova (10-2)
Julien Leblanc (10-2) vs. Robert Valentin (10-6)
Tanner Boser (22-10-1) vs. Gokhan Saricam (11-2)
Verticals
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Originally published on MMA Fighting on 3/5/2026