The Ultimate Fighting Championship is returning to Dallas for the first time since 2022 to launch its 2027 schedule. The event at the American Airlines Center features a featherweight main event and a middleweight co-headliner.
Main and Co-Main Events Announced
Yair Rodriguez will face Steve Garcia in a five-round featherweight bout on Jan. 16, 2027. The matchup was shifted from a three-round contest previously scheduled for UFC 335 in December. The card is co-headlined by a middleweight fight matching former KSW double champion Roberto Soldic against Daniel Rodriguez, as first reported by The Starched.
The promotion officially announced both bouts, alongside a welterweight clash between Ignacio Bahamondes and Chidi Njokuani initially reported by Heavy, during the UFC 334 broadcast.
Fighter Backgrounds and Records
Yair Rodriguez holds a 20-5 MMA record with an 11-4 mark in the UFC, and he has not competed since defeating Patricio Freire in April 2025 to break a two-fight losing skid. He was previously booked against Jean Silva in September before withdrawing. Garcia enters with a 19-6 record overall and an 8-3 UFC record, looking to recover from a second-round TKO loss to Diego Lopes at UFC Freedom 250 in June that halted a seven-fight winning streak.
Daniel Rodriguez carries a 20-6 MMA and 10-5 UFC record, seeking to rebound after a quick 30-second knockout defeat against Uros Medic in August. That bout followed an eight-month prison sentence in Mexico, which Rodriguez stated was related to marijuana, and preceded a three-fight winning streak. Soldic enters at 22-4 overall and 1-0 in the promotion, having built a reputation outside the organization as a multi-division KSW champion before a stint in ONE Championship and a successful UFC debut against Khaos Williams in early 2026.
Bahamondes transitioned to welterweight after competing in 10 lightweight bouts under the promotion, winning his divisional debut by unanimous decision against Muslim Salikhov in September to bring his record to 18-7 overall and 7-4 in the UFC. Njokuani holds a 26-12 overall record and a 6-5 promotional mark, having defeated Joel Alvarez by unanimous decision in August to secure his fourth win in his last six appearances and snap a two-fight skid.
Current Fight Card
The announced lineup for the upcoming Dallas event includes Yair Rodriguez versus Steve Garcia, Daniel Rodriguez versus Roberto Soldic, Ignacio Bahamondes versus Chidi Njokuani, Chris Curtis versus Geoff Neal, Diego Ferreira versus MarQuel Mederos, and John Garza versus Toshiomi Kazama.
