Updated February 6 2026, 22:59
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A guaranteed firefight awaits in the middleweight division as Poland’s Michal Oleksiejczuk meets Canada’s Marc-André Barriault in a main-card clash built for violence.
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs Marc-Andre Barriault facts
What time are Michal Oleksiejczuk and Marc-Andre Barriault expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
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UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira main card
Mario Bautista vs Vinicius Oliveira (Bantamweight)
Amir Albazi vs Kyoji Horiguchi (Flyweight)
Jailton Almeida vs Rizvan Kuniev (Heavyweight)
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
Jean Matsumoto vs Farid Basharat (Bantamweight)
Dustin Jacoby vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira prelims
Alex Morono vs Daniil Donchenko (Welterweight)
Nikolay Veretennikov vs Niko Price (Welterweight)
Bruna Brasil vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)
Javid Basharat vs Gianni Vazquez (Catchweight – 141 lb)
Wang Cong vs Eduarda Moura (Catchweight – 127.5 lb)
Muin Gafurov vs Jakub Wiklacz (Catchweight – 141 lb)
Klaudia Sygula vs Priscila Cachoeira (Women’s Bantamweight)
Michal Oleksiejczuk: Fast-handed southpaw chasing consistency
Michal Oleksiejczuk enters this bout at (21-9-0, 1 NC) as one of the division’s underrated strikers. The 30-year-old Pole has long been known for his explosive speed, sharp left hand, and willingness to hunt finishes rather than settle into low-risk decisions. Competing out of Poland and now aligned with the Fighting Nerds camp, Oleksiejczuk fights with a southpaw stance that gives opponents constant problems in open exchanges.
While his career has been marked by inconsistency, recent signs suggest a turning point. Oleksiejczuk has put together back-to-back wins, including a notable stoppage of Gerald Meerschaert in his last fight, showing improved composure and a better understanding of when to press and when to pace himself. The lingering concern remains his vulnerability to takedowns and prolonged grappling exchanges, but when the fight stays upright, few middleweights are as fast or as dangerous in the opening exchanges.
Marc-Andre Barriault: Pressure-heavy veteran leaning on grit and volume
Marc-Andre Barriault steps into this matchup with a record of (17-10-0, 1 NC), carrying the scars and experience of a long UFC tenure. The 35-year-old Canadian, known as “Power Bar,” has built his career on pressure, toughness, and a willingness to turn fights into exhausting wars. Barriault thrives in close-range chaos, where his elbows, clinch work, and relentless output can overwhelm opponents who are not prepared for sustained violence.
However, mileage is becoming a factor. Barriault has suffered two knockout losses in his last four fights, and his once-iron durability has begun to show cracks. While he owns solid wins, including a notable victory over Bruno Silva, his recent performances suggest a fighter who can still be dangerous but is no longer as resilient as he once was. His best path here involves crowding Oleksiejczuk early, forcing clinches, and denying the Polish striker space to build combinations.
Michal Oleksiejczuk vs Marc-Andre Barriault prediction
Stylistically, this is a classic speed versus pressure matchup. Barriault will look to walk Oleksiejczuk down, absorb shots, and make the fight ugly. Oleksiejczuk, by contrast, holds a clear advantage in hand speed and shot selection, particularly in the first round, where his power is most potent.
Given Barriault’s recent durability concerns and Oleksiejczuk’s improving confidence and finishing instincts, the early exchanges heavily favour the Polish striker. If Oleksiejczuk establishes his body work and lands clean counters as Barriault presses forward, the openings for a decisive finish should present themselves before the fight turns into a grind.
Prediction: Michal Oleksiejczuk to win by knockout
