Updated February 20 2026, 13:21
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Featherweights conflict on the prelims as Jordan Leavitt drops to 145lbs to face Yadier del Valle.
Jordan Leavitt vs Yadier del Valle information
What time are Jordan Leavitt and Yadier del Valle anticipated to stroll out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez? Toyota Center, Houston, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez? UK – TNT Sports can stream the occasion on-line by way of the TNT Sports web site and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez primary card
Sean Strickland vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)
Geoff Neal vs Uros Medic (Welterweight)
Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)
Serghei Spivac vs Ante Delija (Heavyweight)
Jacobe Smith vs Josiah Harrell (Welterweight)
Zachary Reese vs Michel Pereira (Middleweight)
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Hernandez prelims
Chidi Njokuani vs Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight)
Ode’ Osbourne vs Alibi Idiris (Flyweight)
Alden Coria vs Luis Gurule (Flyweight)
Nora Cornolle vs Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)
Ramiz Brahimaj vs Punahele Soriano (Welterweight)
Philip Rowe vs Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (Welterweight)
Jordan Leavitt vs Yadier del Valle (Featherweight)
Juliana Miller vs Carli Judice (Women’s Flyweight)
Jordan Leavitt: Submission specialist searching for a contemporary begin at featherweight
Jordan Leavitt (12-3-0) is a 30-year-old American fighter who has spent the majority of his UFC profession competing at light-weight. Now opting to maneuver all the way down to 145 kilos, Leavitt will look to reinvigorate his trajectory in a brand new division. Known primarily for his grappling, Leavitt is a slick submission artist with inventive transitions and a willingness to assault from unconventional positions. His UFC wins have sometimes come when he is ready to dictate phrases on the mat, whether or not by way of again takes, leg entanglements or opportunistic scrambles. While not a high-volume striker, he makes use of his motion and unpredictability to shut distance and provoke clinches.
Leavitt has skilled blended fortunes in current outings. After incomes notable victories earlier in his UFC tenure, he has alternated outcomes when stepping up in competitors as seen by a loss to Paddy Pimblett in London. The shift to featherweight is a calculated gamble, doubtlessly providing pace and dimension benefits in opposition to pure 145-pounders, however it additionally raises questions relating to sturdiness and the way his grappling interprets in opposition to bigger, bodily stronger opposition. Standing 5’9” with a 71-inch attain, Leavitt is not going to quit a lot size on this contest, however the weight minimize and bodily adaptation will probably be vital elements.
Yadier del Valle: Undefeated Cuban prospect constructing momentum
Yadier “The Cuban Problem” del Valle (10-0-0) is a 29-year-old Cuban featherweight who enters this bout with an unblemished skilled document. A well-rounded fighter with each knockout and submission wins on his résumé, del Valle has steadily constructed a fame as a composed and bodily imposing competitor at 145 kilos. Standing 5’9” with a 69-inch attain, del Valle combines measured stress with ending instincts. He has proven the flexibility to finish fights on the toes with clear, highly effective mixtures, whereas additionally demonstrating competence in grappling exchanges when alternatives come up. His undefeated document displays a fighter comfy in a number of phases of MMA.
In his most up-to-date appearances, del Valle has continued to show management and maturity, avoiding pointless dangers whereas capitalising when openings current themselves. Though he has but to face the depth of opposition that Leavitt has encountered contained in the UFC, his trajectory suggests a fighter assured in his instruments and prepared for a step up. This contest represents his largest take a look at to this point in opposition to a seasoned UFC veteran with a harmful submission sport.
Jordan Leavitt vs Yadier del Valle prediction
The key dynamic on this combat revolves round management of vary and the place the exchanges happen. Leavitt’s clearest path to victory is thru grappling. If he can constantly safe takedowns and set up prime management, he has the creativity and submission acumen to threaten del Valle. However, del Valle’s composure and physicality may current issues. If he maintains distance, defends the preliminary takedown makes an attempt and forces Leavitt to interact in extended placing exchanges, the Cuban’s energy and pure dimension at featherweight might show decisive.
Leavitt’s transfer down in weight provides intrigue, however it additionally introduces uncertainty. Against an undefeated and assured opponent who seems comfy at 145 kilos, any dip in sturdiness or energy might be pricey. Expect aggressive early moments, significantly in scrambles, however over the course of three rounds del Valle’s stress and sharper placing ought to start to separate him.
Prediction: Yadier del Valle to win
