Venue: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Early prelims: ~3:00 p.m. CT (UFC Fight Pass).
Prelims: 5:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. CT (Paramount+).
Main card: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT (Paramount+).
The event features 13 bouts and marks the UFC’s return to Winnipeg. The main event is a welterweight clash between former title challenger Gilbert Burns (22-9) and Canadian contender Mike Malott (13-2-1). The full card includes several ranked or notable fighters across divisions, with the middleweight bout between Julien Leblanc and Robert Valentin slotted on the preliminary card (fight 7 of 13).
Injury Report: No injuries or withdrawals have been reported for the card as of April 14, 2026. The Leblanc vs. Valentin matchup remains fully intact with no notable line movement tied to health concerns.
Focused Fight Preview:
Julien Leblanc vs. Robert Valentin (Middleweight, 3 x 5-minute rounds, Prelims)
Fighter Profiles & Styles
Julien Leblanc (Gatineau, Quebec, Canada): 10-2-0 overall (UFC debut). 6’2″, southpaw. A well-rounded regional prospect with balanced finishing ability (4 KO/TKO, 4 submissions, 2 decisions). Trains out of Patenaude Kung Fu. Strong wrestling and submission game paired with improving striking; coming in as a local Canadian favorite in front of a home-country crowd.
Robert Valentin (“Robzilla,” Zurich, Switzerland): 10-6-0 (1 NC) overall (UFC record approximately 1-4 or worse in recent stretch). 6’2″, 77″ reach. A veteran submission specialist (7 career subs, many in Round 1) with grappling pedigree, but recent performances show vulnerability to early knockouts and decisions. Trains primarily out of Fight Move Academy and P’Chai Muay Thai & MMA. Currently ranked around #67 in the UFC middleweight division but on a clear downward trend.
Recent Form
Leblanc enters on a dominant 5-fight win streak, all against solid regional competition:
Nov 21, 2025 – Submission (RNC, R2, 4:19) vs. Ryan Rohovich (Samourai MMA 17).
Mar 7, 2025 – TKO (Doctor’s stoppage, R3, 5:00) vs. Darian Weeks (Samourai MMA 13).
Jun 14, 2024 – KO/TKO (R2, 1:39) vs. Mark Kolker (Unified MMA 57).
Oct 28, 2023 – Unanimous decision vs. Chris Chapman (Unified MMA 53).
Earlier 2023 win.
He has finished 8 of 10 career wins and has never been stopped.
Valentin is on a 3-fight losing skid in the UFC (0-3 in his last three outings):
Jul 19, 2025 – KO/TKO loss (R1, 1:10) vs. Ateba Gautier (UFC 318).
Apr 5, 2025 – Split decision loss vs. Torrez Finney (UFC Fight Night).
Aug 24, 2024 – KO/TKO loss (R2, 1:49) vs. Ryan Loder (UFC Fight Night).
Prior to the skid he had occasional wins, including a 2024 submission, but his finishing rate has dropped and defensive issues (especially against power) have been exposed.
Fight History & Key Matchup Notes
Leblanc (age 34) is the fresher, momentum-driven debutant with a perfect 5-0 run since his last loss (both career defeats were decisions years ago). Valentin (age 31) brings UFC experience and dangerous early grappling/submissions (7 first-round finishes historically), but his recent 3-fight skid includes two stoppage losses and clear struggles with forward pressure and striking volume. This is a classic “hot regional prospect vs. struggling veteran” spot. Leblanc’s balanced attack and durability could neutralize Valentin’s grappling early, while Valentin’s experience gives him a puncher’s chance if he can drag the fight into deep waters or catch a sub. Expect a competitive but finish-heavy middleweight scrap—Leblanc has never been finished, but Valentin’s recent KO vulnerabilities are a major red flag.
FIGHT ODDS
Julien Leblanc – 130
Robert Valentin + 110
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 17, 2026
