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UFC 327 Named Best Event in First Half of 2026 by ESPN Panel
An ESPN panel selected UFC 327 as the top event of the first six months of 2026. The April card in Miami featured multiple title changes and high-profile finishes.
Jun 29, 10:50 AM·1m read1 source
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An ESPN panel voted UFC 327 the best mixed martial arts event of the first half of 2026. The April card in Miami received 50 percent of the vote, ahead of UFC Freedom 250 and UFC 324. The event included a light heavyweight title change when Carlos Ulberg overcame a first-round leg injury to knock out Jiří Procházka.
It also featured a heavyweight bout between Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes, a 22-year veteran retirement fight, and a submission win by Tatiana Suarez.
Gaethje received unanimous support as best men's fighter after defeating Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250. The panel noted Gaethje's two victories this year, including an earlier win over Paddy Pimblett. Alexa Grasso earned best women's fighter honors with 50 percent of the vote.
The panel selected the Gaethje-Topuria bout as fight of the year with 75 percent of the vote. The lightweight title fight at UFC Freedom 250 ended in the fourth round when Topuria was unable to continue.
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