UFC action returns to Las Vegas this weekend with a historic bantamweight main event. Raul Rosas Jr. will headline his first UFC card against veteran contender Raoni Barcelos.This UFC Vegas 121 preview covers the date, start time, location, full card and viewing information. The September 26 event also features several important divisional fights and two Ultimate Fighter finals.
When and Where Is UFC Vegas 121?
UFC Vegas 121 takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The event will be held at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The card comes one week after UFC 331 in Los Angeles. It also leads directly into UFC 332, which takes place the following weekend in Salt Lake City.
What Time Does UFC Vegas 121 Start?
The UFC currently lists the preliminary card for 5:00 PM ET on Saturday. The five-fight main card will begin at 8:00 PM ET.
That puts the prelims at approximately 2:00 AM PKT on Sunday, September 27. The main card starts around 5:00 AM PKT for viewers in Pakistan.
How to Watch UFC Vegas 121
UFC lists Paramount+ as the streaming destination for both the prelims and main card in the United States. Coverage begins with the prelims before moving into the five-fight main card.
Broadcast availability can differ outside the United States. Fans should check their regional UFC broadcaster before the event begins.
Raul Rosas Jr vs Raoni Barcelos Headlines the Card
Raul Rosas Jr. 13-1-0 enters his first UFC main event against Raoni Barcelos 22-5-0. Rosas currently sits at No. 12, while Barcelos holds the No. 13 bantamweight ranking.
Rosas has won five consecutive fights and defeated Rob Font by unanimous decision at UFC 326. Barcelos also carries a five-fight winning streak after beating Montel Jackson in April.
Rosas Jr Makes UFC History at 21
Rosas will become the youngest fighter to headline a UFC event. He is only 21 years old and already has seven UFC appearances behind him.
His rapid development has made him one of the promotion’s most closely followed young fighters. SportsgoTec previously covered more of his background through the story of Jessie Rosas and Raul Rosas Jr..
Barcelos Brings a Very Different Test
Barcelos enters the matchup with considerably more professional experience. The 39-year-old has eight knockout victories and three submission wins across his career.
His takedown defense also makes the matchup interesting against a grappling-heavy opponent. Rosas must solve a veteran who has faced several generations of UFC bantamweights.
Bantamweight Stakes Add More Importance
Rosas and Barcelos enter the weekend separated by only one place in the UFC rankings. That makes the five-round fight important beyond its historic headline.
The winner can strengthen his position inside a division with a deep history of elite competitors. SportsgoTec’s top UFC bantamweight fighters of all time offers more context on the division’s leading names.
Rodolfo Vieira Faces Robert Bryczek
Rodolfo Vieira 11-5-0 meets Robert Bryczek 18-7-0 in the second fight from the top. Their middleweight matchup presents a clear contrast between grappling and knockout threats.
Vieira owns nine submission victories, while Bryczek has recorded 12 knockout wins. That difference gives both fighters a clear path they may try to establish early.
Brady Hiestand Returns Against Rinya Nakamura
Brady Hiestand 9-2-0 returns from a lengthy absence against Rinya Nakamura 10-1-0. Both bantamweights have dealt with interruptions after showing promise earlier in their UFC runs.
Hiestand had won three consecutive UFC fights before a knee injury stopped his momentum. Nakamura rebounded from his first professional defeat by stopping Nathan Fletcher in the opening round.
TUF 34 Strawweight Final Reaches the UFC
Melissa Amaya 9-0-0 will face Tina Black in The Ultimate Fighter Season 34 strawweight final. Amaya reached the finale after stoppage victories over Anna Melisano and Gigi Canuto.
Black brings more experience into the matchup and previously competed on Dana White’s Contender Series. She advanced through TUF 34 by defeating Natalia Alves and Delphine Benouaich.
Norma Dumont vs Ailin Perez Has Ranking Stakes
Norma Dumont 13-3-0 meets Ailin Perez 13-2-0 in an important women’s bantamweight fight. Dumont enters ranked No. 4, while Perez sits directly behind her at No. 5.
Perez carries a six-fight winning streak into Las Vegas. A victory over another highly ranked opponent could significantly strengthen her position in the championship picture.
Montel Jackson Gets His Ricky Simon Rematch
Montel Jackson 15-4-0 will meet Ricky Simon 22-7-1 in a bantamweight rematch. Their first meeting took place at UFC 227 in August 2018.
Simon controlled much of that contest with his wrestling and earned a unanimous decision. Eight years later, both fighters enter their second meeting with considerably more UFC experience.
Mickey Gall Returns Against Sedriques Dumas
Mickey Gall 7-7-0 returns against Sedriques Dumas 10-5-0 in a middleweight matchup. Gall will compete for the first time in nearly two years.
The fight also marks a move to middleweight for Gall. SportsgoTec has already covered the matchup in its Mickey Gall vs Sedriques Dumas UFC Vegas 121 breakdown.
UFC Vegas 121 Full Fight Card
The UFC currently lists 12 fights for the September 26 event.
Main Card
Raul Rosas Jr. vs Raoni Barcelos — Bantamweight
Rodolfo Vieira vs Robert Bryczek — Middleweight
Mehemmedeli Osmanli vs Ilimbek Akylbek — Bantamweight
Melissa Amaya vs Tina Black — Women’s Strawweight
Brady Hiestand vs Rinya Nakamura — Bantamweight
Preliminary Card
Rodolfo Bellato vs Christian Edwards — Light Heavyweight
Elves Brener vs Josiah Harrell — Lightweight
Montel Jackson vs Ricky Simon — Bantamweight
Norma Dumont vs Ailin Perez — Women’s Bantamweight
John Castaneda vs Alatengheili — Bantamweight
Mickey Gall vs Sedriques Dumas — Middleweight
Vanessa Demopoulos vs Yazmin Jauregui — Women’s Strawweight
The lineup remains subject to late changes. Medical issues, weight-cut problems or withdrawals can still alter the card before Saturday.
Why Rosas Jr vs Barcelos Matters
Rosas has attracted attention since becoming the youngest fighter ever signed by the UFC. UFC Vegas 121 gives him another chance to add a significant milestone.
Barcelos presents the type of experienced opponent that can reveal how far Rosas has developed. Five rounds also create a different challenge from the three-round fights Rosas has handled so far.
Final Thoughts
The UFC Vegas 121 preview centers on a historic opportunity for Raul Rosas Jr. The 21-year-old will become the youngest fighter to headline a UFC event when he meets Raoni Barcelos.
The card also offers several meaningful fights below the main event. Dumont vs Perez carries ranking implications, while Jackson vs Simon revisits an eight-year-old rivalry. The two TUF finals also give emerging fighters an important UFC stage.
FAQs
When is UFC Vegas 121?
UFC Vegas 121 takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The event will continue into Sunday morning for viewers in Pakistan.
Where is UFC Vegas 121 taking place?
The event will take place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What time does UFC Vegas 121 start?
The preliminary card starts at 5:00 PM ET. The main card begins at 8:00 PM ET on September 26.
Who is fighting in the UFC Vegas 121 main event?
Raul Rosas Jr. will face Raoni Barcelos in a five-round bantamweight main event.
How can fans watch UFC Vegas 121?
The UFC lists Paramount+ for the prelims and main card in the United States. International broadcast options depend on the viewer’s region.
