Toyota Center Gears Up for UFC Fight Night!
Welcome to Texas, where everything is bigger, including UFC fights. The Toyota Center is no stranger to the sport, having hosted UFC events since 2007. The venue has been involved with the UFC since the organization established itself as a major form of entertainment. In addition to combat sports, the Toyota Center has hosted other major events. In 2008, the band Metallica sold 17,962 tickets at the venue. The Los Angeles Lakers also set a record for basketball attendance there, selling 18,583 tickets in 2010. On average, UFC events at the Toyota Center draw around 15,000 fans per event. The largest UFC event held at the venue to date was UFC 271, where Robert Whittaker fought against Israel Adesanya for the Middleweight Division title.
The next event scheduled at the Toyota Center is UFC Fight Night on February 21st, 2026, featuring Sean Strickland against Anthony Hernandez. Ticket sales for this event are unlikely to match the numbers seen at UFC 271, as this is a Men’s Middleweight Division bout rather than a title fight. Even so, both fighters enter the matchup with momentum, with Hernandez riding a strong winning streak in his last five fights. UFC Fight Nights often serve as opportunities to build anticipation for larger pay-per-view events while allowing fighters to refine their skills and establish momentum within their divisions. This matchup carries divisional significance, with Strickland ranked third and Hernandez ranked fourth in the Middleweight Division.
Outside of divisional implications, the Toyota Center has not hosted a UFC event since UFC 271 in 2022. The reasons for that gap remain unclear, though the venue has partnered with Paramount+ to stream the event for fans unable to attend in Houston. Tickets for the fight are currently available through the Toyota Center’s official website and can be purchased now. Regardless of how the event is viewed, the matchup promises high-level competition and entertainment consistent with major UFC showcases. Fans tuning in live or watching highlights afterward will once again see how the Toyota Center delivers a memorable atmosphere for UFC audiences who have not seen the venue host the promotion since 2022.
