What happened: Roberto Soldić and Daniel Rodriguez have agreed to meet in a welterweight bout at UFC Dallas on Jan. 16, 2027, marking the promotion's first card of the new year. The matchup pits the former two-division KSW champion against a UFC veteran looking to rebound from a summer stoppage loss.
Why it matters: Soldić aims to break into the welterweight top 15 after defeating Khaos Williams by unanimous decision at UFC 332. Rodriguez enters holding the division's No. 14 spot and must defend his ranking following an August defeat that ended a three-fight winning streak.
By the numbers: Soldić enters at 18-2 with one no-contest following his UFC debut win, while Rodriguez brings a 20-6 career record into the matchup.
What to watch: The welterweights square off in Dallas on Jan. 16 to open the UFC's 2027 schedule.