Jordan Leavitt drops to Featherweight, takes on top Cuban prospect at UFC Houston

4 days ago 2

“Monkey King” is dropping weight classes.

Eccentric Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Jordan Leavitt is moving down to Featherweight for his next assignment, where he will face undefeated Cuban prospect Yadier del Valle at UFC Houston on Sat., Feb. 21, 2026, inside Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

Leavitt announced the matchup via Instagram.

After 11 bouts at Lightweight, Leavitt (12-3) is returning to Featherweight for the first time in his UFC career. The 30-year-old competed just once in 2025, but made it count by running through Kurt Holobaugh in under two minutes, securing an anaconda choke submission (watch highlights).

“The Monkey King” currently sits at 5-3 inside the Octagon with four finishes and has alternated wins and losses over his last five appearances.

Del Valle (10-0) — one of our fighters to watch in 2026 — enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign, going 2-0 with two first-round submissions. He announced his arrival by choking out Conor Matthews in under three minutes, then followed it up by becoming the first fighter to finish Isaac Dulgarian, a bout surrounded by controversy due to alleged fight-fixing.

Leavitt represents the toughest test of Del Valle’s young career and will immediately challenge the Cuban’s grappling credentials.

Here is what UFC Houston looks like so far.