Back at the Meta APEX for the third time this year, the UFC follows up last weekend’s electric event in Seattle with a prospect-heavy card at home. Headlined by lightweight finishers Renato Moicano and Chris Duncan, this 12-fight offering sets the stage for a massive month in the Octagon.
With a crucial strawweight pairing between Virna Jandiroba and Tabatha Ricci serving as the co-main event, this Saturday night promises high-level grappling and violent finishes. As we look toward next week’s UFC 327 blockbuster in Miami, let’s dive into the details of this weekend’s action in Las Vegas.
Main Event: Renato Moicano vs Chris Duncan
The lightweight division takes center stage as No. 10-ranked Renato Moicano faces the surging Chris Duncan. This is a fascinating clash of styles and career trajectories, featuring two athletes who are intimately familiar with one another’s games through their training ties in South Florida.
Moicano returns to the cage for the first time in 2026, looking to snap a two-fight skid. After a tough outing against Beneil Dariush at UFC 317, the Brazilian “Money” Moicano was originally set for a high-profile tilt with Brian Ortega. With Ortega’s withdrawal, Moicano finds himself in his fourth UFC main event, needing a win to defend his top-10 status. Known for his elite rear-naked choke and improved volume striking, Moicano remains one of the most dangerous submission threats in the 155-pound class.
Standing across from him is Scotland’s own Chris “The Problem” Duncan. Duncan has been on a tear, winning four straight and finding finishes in three of his last four. His only recent trip to the scorecards was an all-out war with Mateusz Rebecki, proving he has the durability to match his power. For Duncan, this is the ultimate litmus test; a win over a established veteran like Moicano would likely vault him directly into the rankings.
Co-Main Event: Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci
Top-10 strawweights collide in the penultimate bout as Virna Jandiroba and Tabatha Ricci battle for a spot in the title conversation. This is a classic “gatekeeper of the elite” vs. “rising contender” matchup.
Jandiroba is coming off a razor-thin loss to Mackenzie Dern for the vacant title at UFC 321. Before that, she had amassed a five-fight win streak, proving that her grappling is among the most suffocating in the world. Meanwhile, Ricci—affectionately known as “Baby Shark”—has gone 7-2 in the division and recently showcased significant improvements in her striking with a clinical stoppage of Amanda Ribas. The winner here likely finds themselves one fight away from a title shot in late 2026.
Main Card Breakdown
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro
In the light heavyweight division, the undefeated Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev looks to continue his path of destruction. With seven finishes in eight career wins and a combined 63 seconds of Octagon time, the hype is real. He faces Brendson Ribeiro, a Season 7 DWCS standout who is the definition of “kill or be killed.” While Yakhyaev is the favourite, Ribeiro has shown he can spoil the party for undefeated prospects before.
Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam
Bantamweight breakout Ethyn Ewing returns after his stunning short-notice upset at Madison Square Garden. He welcomes Rafael Estevam to the 135-pound division. Estevam is a perfect 14-0 but has struggled with weight cuts in the past. Moving up a division should help his cardio, but Ewing’s relentless pace will test those lungs immediately.
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini
Undefeated featherweight Tommy McMillen makes his long-awaited debut. Training under the tutelage of Tim Welch and alongside Sean O’Malley, the “Montana-to-Arizona” prospect brings a 9-0 record and a 16-fight winning streak (including amateurs) into the cage against Italy’s Manolo Zecchini. Zecchini is a wild card returning after a long layoff, making this a high-stakes debut for McMillen.
Preliminary Card Highlights
The prelims feature a mix of returning veterans and hungry newcomers. Keep an eye on these specific matchups:
- Heavyweight Hitting: Guilherme Pat (6-0) looks to keep his perfect record intact against the seasoned Thomas Petersen.
- Featherweight Fireworks: Former KSW standout Robert Ruchala faces Jose Delano in a bout that could easily be on the main card.
- The Return of “Groovy”: Lando Vannata returns after a three-year hiatus to face Darrius Flowers in a lightweight clash that screams “Performance of the Night.”
- The Opener: Kai Kamaka returns to the UFC against the highly-touted prospect Dakota Hope, a training partner of Joshua Van.
Full UFC Fight Card
| Bout | Weight Class |
|---|---|
| Renato Moicano vs Chris Duncan | Lightweight |
| Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci | Strawweight |
| Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro | Light Heavyweight |
| Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam | Bantamweight |
| Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini | Featherweight |
| Guilherme Pat vs Thomas Petersen | Heavyweight |
| Jose Delano vs Robert Ruchala | Featherweight |
| Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll | Flyweight |
| Lando Vannata vs Darrius Flowers | Lightweight |
| Alice Pereira vs Hailey Cowan | Bantamweight |
| Azamat Bekoev vs Tresean Gore | Middleweight |
| Dione Barbosa vs Melissa Gatto | Flyweight |
| Kai Kamaka vs Dakota Hope | Featherweight |
UFC Vegas 115: Frequently Asked Questions
What time does UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan start in the UK?
The prelims begin at 10pm BST on Saturday, April 4, 2026. The main card is expected to start at 1am BST on Sunday, April 5.
Where can I watch UFC Vegas 115 in the UK?
UK fans can watch the entire event live on TNT Sports and via the Discovery+ app.
Where is the fight taking place?
The event is being held at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Who is the favourite in the main event?
Renato Moicano enters as a slight favourite due to his top-10 ranking, but Scottish fans will be backing Chris Duncan, who is on a career-best four-fight winning streak.
Don’t miss a moment of the action. Follow along for live updates and post-fight analysis as the UFC continues its 2026 campaign at the Meta APEX!
