The Ultimate Fighting Championship inaugurated the Paramount+ era with UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira on February 7, 2026, at the newly renamed Meta APEX in Enterprise, Nevada. This historic event marked the first Fight Night card under the promotion's new broadcast partnership and delivered 13 exciting bouts showcasing the depth of UFC talent across multiple weight classes.
Headlining UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira was a crucial bantamweight contest between surging contender Mario Bautista and undefeated prospect Vinicius Oliveira, both seeking to position themselves in the title picture behind new champion Petr Yan. The co-main event featured flyweight veterans Kyoji Horiguchi and Amir Albazi in a bout carrying immediate title implications, with the returning Horiguchi looking to prove he belongs back among the division's elite.
The event showcased the UFC's commitment to developing talent and providing opportunities, featuring a mix of established veterans seeking redemption, prospects on the rise, and fighters making their promotional debuts. With four fighters missing weight and multiple Performance of the Night bonuses awarded, UFC Fight Night 266 provided drama both inside and outside the Octagon.
Table of Contents
UFC Fight Night 266 Main Card Results and Analysis
The main card at UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira delivered six compelling bouts featuring submissions, technical knockouts, and competitive decisions that kept fans engaged throughout the evening at the Meta APEX.
Bantamweight: Mario Bautista (USA) vs Vinicius Oliveira (Brazil)
Mario Bautista def. Vinicius Oliveira via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 4:46 of Round 2
Arizona's Mario Bautista delivered a dominant performance to submit previously undefeated Brazilian prospect Vinicius Oliveira in the second round, bouncing back brilliantly from his loss to Umar Nurmagomedov and re-establishing himself as a bantamweight title contender.
Competing in his first UFC main event, the 32-year-old Bautista brought a 16-3 record with victories over Patrick Mix, Jose Aldo, and Ricky Simon. Oliveira, known as "Lok Dog," carried a 23-3 record and a four-fight UFC winning streak into the biggest fight of his career.
From the opening bell, Bautista established dominance through superior experience and diverse skills. He controlled the first round with effective striking and defensive grappling, thoroughly outclassing Oliveira, who appeared slower than usual—possibly affected by the weight cut.
The defining moment came late in round two when Bautista achieved a mounted crucifix position, battering Oliveira with punches and elbows. As Oliveira scrambled to escape, Bautista smoothly transitioned to his back and locked in the rear-naked choke. Oliveira tapped at 4:46 of Round 2, suffering his first career submission loss.
The comprehensive victory earned Bautista a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and improved his record to 17-3 overall and 11-3 in the UFC. Post-fight, Bautista noted he "could see everything coming" from Oliveira. For the Brazilian, who dropped to 23-4, all four career defeats have come by stoppage.
Flyweight: Kyoji Horiguchi (Japan) vs Amir Albazi (Iraq)
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Amir Albazi via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Japanese veteran Kyoji Horiguchi continued his impressive UFC comeback with a dominant unanimous decision over highly-ranked Amir Albazi, establishing himself as the clear number one contender for the flyweight championship.
The 35-year-old "Karate Kid" returned to the UFC in November 2025 after years competing in RIZIN and Bellator, bringing a 35-5 record and a victory over Tagir Ulanbekov. Albazi, ranked No. 7, entered at 17-2 but struggled with Horiguchi's speed and movement throughout.
Horiguchi's elite striking dominated from the start. Round one was competitive, but Horiguchi's darting combinations and clean strikes gave him the edge. In round two, he emerged with increased aggression, landing powerful shots that cut and wobbled Albazi, forcing the Iraqi fighter to abandon his takedown attempts.
The final round saw Albazi desperately seeking a fight-altering shot, but Horiguchi proved too technical. All three judges scored decisively for Horiguchi: 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. The victory improved his record to 36-5 (9-1 UFC), extending his winning streak to eight fights overall.
In his post-fight interview, Horiguchi stated: "Of course I want title shot. Who's the champion right now? (Joshua) Van? I want to fight you, OK?" The callout set up a potential title fight. Albazi dropped to 17-3 (5-2 UFC), with all three career losses coming by decision.
Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev (Russia) vs Jailton Almeida (Brazil)
Rizvan Kuniev def. Jailton Almeida via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
In one of the most perplexing performances in recent UFC history, highly-ranked heavyweight Jailton Almeida suffered his second consecutive defeat, dropping a dull unanimous decision to Rizvan Kuniev in a bout that frustrated fans with prolonged inactivity.
The No. 7-ranked Almeida (22-4, 8-2 UFC) entered desperate for victory after losing to Curtis Blaydes. Once a devastating finisher with seven stoppages in his first nine UFC fights, Almeida's sudden transformation into a passive fighter remained puzzling. Kuniev (13-3-1, 0-1 UFC), winless in the UFC after losing his debut, seized his opportunity against the strangely inactive Brazilian.
The fight devolved into an awkward affair with minimal engagement. Round one saw Almeida's takedown attempts fail as Kuniev stayed upright and landed occasional strikes. Kuniev's forward pressure earned him the round. Round two brought prolonged fence clinching that drew boos and repeated referee separations. Round three showed slight improvements, but Kuniev's aggression continued to dominate.
All three judges scored for Kuniev: 30-27, 29-28, 29-28. The victory catapulted him into the heavyweight rankings around No. 15 after beating the sixth-ranked fighter.
For Almeida (22-6, 8-4 UFC), the loss proved catastrophic. He announced plans to return to light heavyweight, but within days the UFC released him from his contract. Former title challengers called the release "a warning from the UFC" about boring fights. Almeida's once-promising run ended with inexplicable passivity.
Middleweight: Michał Oleksiejczuk (Poland) vs Marc-André Barriault (Canada)
Michał Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-André Barriault via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Polish middleweight Michał Oleksiejczuk earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Canadian veteran Marc-André Barriault in an entertaining back-and-forth battle that showcased both fighters' toughness and determination.
The 30-year-old Oleksiejczuk entered with a 21-9 record (9-7 UFC) and sought to build momentum in the competitive middleweight division. The "Hussar" had shown flashes of brilliance throughout his UFC tenure but struggled with consistency. Barriault, the 34-year-old from Canada, brought a 17-10 record (6-9 UFC) and needed a victory to avoid further sliding down the rankings.
The bout developed into an exciting striking battle with both fighters willing to exchange. Oleksiejczuk utilized his diverse striking arsenal to land clean shots while Barriault pressed forward with aggressive combinations. The closely contested nature of the fight meant every round was competitive, with neither man able to pull away decisively.
All three judges scored it 29-28 for Oleksiejczuk, who improved to 22-9 overall and 10-7 in the UFC. Both fighters earned $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses for their entertaining performance, which provided relief after the disappointing Almeida-Kuniev affair. The victory was important for Oleksiejczuk's career trajectory, while Barriault dropped to 17-11 overall and 6-10 in the UFC, leaving his future in the promotion uncertain.
Bantamweight: Farid Basharat (Afghanistan) vs Jean Matsumoto (Brazil)
Farid Basharat def. Jean Matsumoto via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Undefeated bantamweight prospect Farid Basharat remained perfect with a unanimous decision victory over Brazilian challenger Jean Matsumoto, maintaining his pristine record and continuing his methodical rise through the division.
The 29-year-old Basharat, originally from Afghanistan but fighting out of England, entered with a 14-0 record (5-0 UFC) and a reputation for technical excellence. His twin brother Javid Basharat also competed on the preliminary card, making this a family affair. Matsumoto, the 28-year-old Brazilian, brought a 17-1 record (3-1 UFC) into the bout and represented a legitimate test for the undefeated prospect.
Basharat controlled the action with superior grappling and cage craft, utilizing takedowns and ground control to nullify Matsumoto's striking. While Matsumoto had moments of success, particularly in the striking exchanges, Basharat's well-rounded game and tactical approach proved decisive over three rounds.
Two judges scored it 29-28 for Basharat while one saw it more dominantly at 30-27. The victory improved Basharat's record to 15-0 overall and 6-0 in the UFC, positioning him for increasingly difficult tests as he climbs toward the bantamweight elite. Matsumoto dropped to 17-2 overall and 3-2 in the UFC.
Post-fight, Basharat called for a matchup against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who recently moved up to bantamweight, vowing to "put a clinic on" the Brazilian legend. The callout demonstrated Basharat's confidence and willingness to face elite opposition.
Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby (USA) vs Julius Walker (USA)
Dustin Jacoby def. Julius Walker via TKO (Punches) at 1:42 of Round 2
Veteran striker Dustin Jacoby overcame early adversity to stop rising prospect Julius Walker in the second round, extending his knockout streak to three consecutive fights and inching closer to Chuck Liddell's historic UFC light heavyweight knockout record.
The 37-year-old Jacoby (21-9-1, 9-6-1 UFC) originally scheduled to fight Jimmy Crute at UFC 325, accepted this short-notice bout after traveling to Sydney to corner a teammate. Walker (7-1, 1-1 UFC), the 26-year-old "Juice Box," represented a dangerous test with his youth and athleticism.
Round one proved difficult for Jacoby as Walker secured multiple takedowns, briefly attempted an anaconda choke, and finished strong with elbows—including one after the bell. However, round two transformed the fight. Jacoby emerged with renewed purpose, landing a devastating left hand that staggered Walker, followed by a punishing straight right.
Another right hand dropped Walker against the cage. Jacoby briefly walked away thinking the fight over, but referee Dan Miragliotta (officiating his 500th UFC bout) indicated it should continue. Jacoby turned back and unleashed a final barrage that forced the stoppage at 1:42 of Round 2.
The knockout improved Jacoby to 22-9-1 (10-6-1 UFC), giving him seven knockout wins in UFC light heavyweight competition—tied for third-most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (10) and Mauricio Rua (eight). Post-fight, Jacoby called for a golf round with President Trump and a spot on the White House card. Former rival Alex Pereira congratulated him on social media.
Walker dropped to 7-2 (1-2 UFC), with both career stoppages coming by knockout.
UFC Fight Night 266 Prelims Results and Analysis
The preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira featured seven competitive bouts that provided a strong foundation for the main card, including a dramatic last-second submission and multiple decisions.
Welterweight: Daniil Donchenko (Ukraine) vs Alex Morono (USA)
Daniil Donchenko def. Alex Morono via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Ukrainian welterweight Daniil Donchenko dominated veteran Alex Morono across three one-sided rounds, handing the American his fourth consecutive defeat in a lopsided unanimous decision that may have sealed Morono's fate with the promotion.
The 27-year-old Donchenko improved to 13-2 overall with the comprehensive victory, utilizing superior speed and movement to frustrate Morono throughout. The 33-year-old Morono, fighting out of Texas, dropped to 24-13 overall and 13-10 in the UFC, extending his losing streak to four fights – the longest of his career. Morono hasn't earned a victory since April 2024 and fell to 1-5 in his last six fights dating back to October 2023.
Two judges scored it 30-26 while one had it 30-27, all decisively for Donchenko. Post-fight, Morono expressed hope for "one last dance" in the UFC, though his future with the promotion appears uncertain given the extended losing streak. Nine of Morono's 14 career losses have come by decision, and this dominant defeat may represent his final UFC appearance.
Welterweight: Nikolay Veretennikov (Russia) vs Niko Price (USA)
Nikolay Veretennikov def. Niko Price via KO (Punches) at 1:42 of Round 1
Russian welterweight Nikolay Veretennikov made a spectacular short-notice UFC debut, knocking out veteran brawler Niko Price in the first round with a devastating combination that announced his arrival on the big stage.
Veretennikov stepped in on short notice after original opponent José Henrique Souza withdrew and Eric Nolan also pulled out for undisclosed reasons. The Russian seized his opportunity brilliantly, utilizing sharp striking to overwhelm Price early. At 1:42 of the opening round, Veretennikov landed heavy punches that dropped Price and forced referee intervention.
The knockout improved Veretennikov's record to 14-7 overall and 2-3 in the UFC, with 11 of his 14 career victories coming by stoppage. For Price, the first-round knockout continued his inconsistent UFC tenure and raised questions about his future with the promotion.
Strawweight: Ketlen Souza (Brazil) vs Bruna Brasil (Brazil)
Ketlen Souza def. Bruna Brasil via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brazilian strawweights Ketlen Souza and Bruna Brasil engaged in a competitive three-round battle that saw Souza edge out her countrywoman by razor-thin margins on all three scorecards.
The 27-year-old Souza improved to 16-6 overall with the victory, utilizing effective striking and defensive grappling to narrowly outpoint Brasil across the fifteen minutes. Brasil, also 27 years old, dropped to 11-6-1 overall after the closely contested affair. All three judges scored it identically at 29-28 for Souza, reflecting how competitive each round proved to be.
Bantamweight: Javid Basharat (Afghanistan) vs Gianni Vazquez (USA)
Javid Basharat def. Gianni Vazquez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Undefeated bantamweight Javid Basharat remained perfect in his professional career, outpointing short-notice replacement Gianni Vazquez to improve to 15-0 overall and continue his steady rise through the division.
The 30-year-old Basharat, twin brother of fellow card competitor Farid Basharat, welcomed Vazquez as a late replacement after original opponent Said Nurmagomedov withdrew. Despite Vazquez missing weight by five pounds (forcing a 25% purse fine and making him ineligible for bonuses), Basharat handled the challenge professionally. Both Basharat brothers earned victories on the card, with bookmakers offering a "sibling parlay" that proved successful.
All three judges scored it 29-28 for Basharat, who improved to 15-0 overall and 6-0 in the UFC with one no contest. Vazquez, despite the weight miss, showed toughness in pushing the undefeated prospect to a close decision.
Women's Flyweight: Wang Cong (China) vs Eduarda Moura (Brazil)
Wang Cong def. Eduarda Moura via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Chinese flyweight Wang Cong rebounded from her weight miss to defeat Brazilian opponent Eduarda Moura via unanimous decision in a bout where both fighters failed to make the contracted weight.
In a rare occurrence, both Wang and Moura missed weight by at least one pound, resulting in offsetting penalties. Wang missed by 1.5 pounds while Moura was one pound over the flyweight limit. The offsetting fines meant neither fighter paid the standard penalty, though both became ineligible for post-fight bonuses including the newly established finish bonus.
Wang, with her distinctive silver hair, utilized effective striking and defensive grappling to control the action across three rounds. Her red-haired opponent Moura showed moments of success with her speed and combinations but couldn't string together enough successful sequences to sway the judges. One judge scored it 30-27 for Wang while two others had it closer at 29-28.
The victory improved Wang's record to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the UFC, bouncing back from her sole career defeat. Moura dropped to 12-2 overall and 3-2 in the UFC after the competitive affair.
Bantamweight: Jakub Wikłacz (Poland) vs Muin Gafurov (Tajikistan)
Jakub Wikłacz def. Muin Gafurov via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 4:59 of Round 3
Polish bantamweight Jakub Wikłacz authored one of the most dramatic finishes in recent UFC history, submitting Muin Gafurov with a guillotine choke with one second remaining in round three. The finish required instant replay review before being officially confirmed.
Wikłacz (17-3-2, 1-0 UFC) faced Gafurov, who came in five pounds overweight, forcing a 25% purse fine. The fight began with Wikłacz landing fierce combinations that knocked Gafurov back, but he allowed his opponent to reset rather than rushing.
When Gafurov sold out for a double-leg takedown, Wikłacz jumped guard and wrapped up a guillotine. Using the submission to roll Gafurov to his back, Wikłacz transitioned to full mount while maintaining the choke. Squeezing with all his might, Wikłacz cranked the guillotine as seconds ticked away.
Gafurov initially signaled thumbs-up, appearing confident he could survive. However, with one second remaining, his expression changed dramatically. After trying to adjust his mouthpiece, Gafurov frantically tapped on both sides of Wikłacz's backside at 4:59 of Round 3.
Gafurov immediately stood and motioned the fight ended before he tapped, hoping the bell had saved him. Officials reviewed the replay and confirmed Gafurov tapped with one second left. The guillotine submission was official, earning Wikłacz a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
The dramatic victory improved Wikłacz to 18-3-2 (2-0 UFC). Teammate Merab Dvalishvili later explained Gafurov thought he heard the ten-second clapper. For Gafurov (20-7, 2-3 UFC), the devastating finish combined with his weight miss likely sealed his UFC fate.
Women's Bantamweight: Klaudia Sygula (Poland) vs Priscila Cachoeira (Brazil)
Klaudia Sygula def. Priscila Cachoeira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Polish women's bantamweight Klaudia Sygula earned a clear unanimous decision victory over Brazilian veteran Priscila Cachoeira in the opening bout of UFC Fight Night 266, setting the tone for an action-packed evening.
The 31-year-old Sygula, entering with a 7-2 record (1-1 UFC), utilized superior striking and movement to control the action against the tough but limited Cachoeira. "Zombie Girl" Cachoeira, the 35-year-old Brazilian with a 13-7 record (5-7 UFC), showed her trademark toughness but couldn't find answers for Sygula's game plan.
Two judges scored it 30-27 for Sygula while one had it slightly closer at 29-28, though the outcome was never in doubt. Referee Keith Peterson ensured a clean fight, and the bout went the full fifteen minutes. The victory improved Sygula's record to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the UFC, while Cachoeira dropped to 13-8 overall and 5-8 in the UFC.
Notable Moments and Controversies from UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira
Weight Miss Issues Continue to Plague UFC
UFC Fight Night 266 marked a continuation of troubling weight miss trends in 2026, with four fighters failing to make their contracted weights. Most significantly, both Muin Gafurov and Gianni Vazquez came in five pounds overweight for their respective bantamweight bouts. Both fighters were fined 25% of their purses and rendered ineligible for post-fight bonuses.
Additionally, Wang Cong and Eduarda Moura both missed the women's flyweight limit, with Wang coming in 1.5 pounds heavy and Moura one pound over. The offsetting fines meant neither paid a financial penalty, though both were ineligible for bonuses. The weight miss epidemic drew criticism from fans and media, with many questioning the UFC's ability to enforce weight cutting discipline.
Jailton Almeida Released Following Second Passive Performance
The most shocking post-event development came when the UFC released former No. 7-ranked heavyweight Jailton Almeida days after his puzzling performance against Rizvan Kuniev. Almeida's inexplicable transformation from a devastating finisher to a passive fighter who refused to engage drew harsh criticism.
Former UFC title challenger and analysts called the release "a warning from UFC" about the consequences of repeatedly delivering boring fights. Almeida broke his silence after the release, stating: "It's not these two losses that will define who I am." He announced plans to return at light heavyweight with a new organization, though his stock had plummeted considerably. The swift release demonstrated the promotion's zero-tolerance policy for fighters who consistently fail to engage.
Post-Fight Callouts and Future Matchmaking
Multiple fighters used their post-fight interviews to campaign for specific opponents. Kyoji Horiguchi directly called out flyweight champion Joshua Van, demanding a title shot after his dominant performance. His case appeared strong given his two consecutive UFC victories and extensive championship pedigree from RIZIN and Bellator.
Farid Basharat boldly called for a matchup against former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, who recently moved to bantamweight. Basharat vowed to "put a clinic on" the Brazilian legend, demonstrating confidence befitting his perfect 15-0 record.
Dustin Jacoby made headlines with his unusual requests, expressing interest in playing golf with President Trump and competing on the UFC's planned June 14 White House card. The callouts reflected Jacoby's personality and his three-fight knockout streak's momentum.
Performance Bonuses and Historical Achievements
The UFC awarded $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses to Mario Bautista and Jakub Wikłacz for their spectacular finishes. Additionally, Michał Oleksiejczuk and Marc-André Barriault split a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus for their entertaining striking battle.
Dustin Jacoby's knockout victory was historically significant, giving him seven knockout wins in UFC light heavyweight competition. This total ties him for third-most in divisional history behind Chuck Liddell (10) and Mauricio Rua (eight), putting Liddell's long-standing record within reach.
Referee Dan Miragliotta officiated his 500th UFC bout during the Jacoby-Walker fight, a remarkable milestone for one of the sport's most experienced officials.
The UFC also introduced new finish bonuses worth $25,000 each at this event, though the specific recipients were not publicly disclosed.
Betting Results and Fight Statistics
Betting favorites dominated UFC Fight Night 266, going 11-2 on the card and improving to 2-1 in UFC headliners for 2026. The main event saw Mario Bautista close as a slight underdog, making his victory more impressive from a gambling perspective.
Nine of thirteen fights went the distance, requiring judges' scorecards early and often throughout the evening. The total fight time for the 13-bout card was 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 9 seconds.
The UFC sold VIP tickets to fans for the event but did not publicly disclose the total number of tickets sold or the gate revenue, as is customary for APEX events.
Family Affairs and Sibling Success
The Basharat brothers – Farid and Javid – both competed and won on UFC Fight Night 266, maintaining their perfect professional records. Bookmakers offered a "sibling parlay" for those betting on both brothers, which proved successful as both earned unanimous decision victories. The twins' combined success continued their steady rise through the bantamweight division.
Conclusion: UFC Fight Night 266 Ushers in Paramount+ Era Successfully
UFC Fight Night 266: Bautista vs Oliveira successfully inaugurated the Paramount+ era for Fight Night events, delivering an entertaining card that showcased elite bantamweight action, flyweight title implications, and several memorable performances despite some weight miss controversies and one historically boring heavyweight bout.
Mario Bautista's dominant submission victory over Vinicius Oliveira in the main event demonstrated championship-level skills and positioned him for bigger opportunities at 135 pounds. The comprehensive performance, earning Bautista a $50,000 bonus, proved he belongs among the bantamweight elite and deserves consideration for a title eliminator against another top contender.
Kyoji Horiguchi's return to form continued with his decisive victory over Amir Albazi, establishing "The Karate Kid" as the clear number one contender for Joshua Van's flyweight championship. The Japanese veteran's speed, technical striking, and championship experience make him a formidable challenge for any fighter at 125 pounds.
The event's four Performance of the Night bonuses reflected entertaining action throughout the card, with Jakub Wikłacz's last-second guillotine submission providing the most dramatic moment. Dustin Jacoby's knockout streak and pursuit of Chuck Liddell's historic record added another compelling storyline, while the Basharat brothers' continued success highlighted the depth of bantamweight talent.
However, Jailton Almeida's puzzling performance and subsequent release served as a stark reminder of the UFC's expectations for fighter engagement. His swift exit sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division and reinforced that even ranked fighters aren't immune to consequences for repeatedly boring audiences.
The weight miss issues plaguing the event – with four fighters failing to make weight – continued a troubling trend for 2026 and raised questions about fighter discipline and UFC oversight. The promotion will need to address these problems to maintain competitive integrity and fan confidence.
As the Paramount+ era begins, UFC Fight Night 266 proved the new partnership can deliver quality events from the intimate APEX setting. With Bautista and Horiguchi positioned for bigger fights, the Basharat twins rising steadily, and Jacoby chasing history, the ripple effects from this card will be felt across multiple divisions throughout 2026.
Other UFC Events:
- UFC 325 Volkanovski vs Lopes 2
- UFC 324 Gaethje vs Pimblett
- UFC on ESPN 73 Royval vs. Kape
- Upcoming UFC Events Schedule