UFC Returns to Winnipeg with Leblanc vs. Valentin on April 18

The UFC is set to make its highly anticipated return to Winnipeg on April 18, 2025, with a lineup that prominently features local fighters. In a recent announcement, the organization confirmed that middleweight fighter Julien Leblanc will join the card, marking his promotional debut against Swiss competitor Robert Valentin.

Leblanc, a native of Gatineau, Quebec, enters the octagon with a professional mixed martial arts record of 10 wins and 2 losses. He is currently on a five-fight winning streak, with his last three victories coming by way of stoppage. Most recently, he secured a second-round submission against Ryan Rohovich in November 2025.

Valentin, on the other hand, is still striving for his first win in the UFC. With a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, the 30-year-old has faced challenges since his debut in August 2024, where he holds an 0-3-0 record in the UFC. Two of those losses came by technical knockout, including a recent defeat to Ateba Gautier in July 2025, which lasted just over one minute.

Joining Leblanc on the Winnipeg card are fellow Canadians Melissa Croden, Jasmine Jasduvicius, and headliner Mike Malott. Malott will face the highly ranked No. 11 welterweight Gilbert Burns in the main event.

This event will mark only the third time the UFC has visited Winnipeg, earning the city the title of “Gateway to the West.” The last time the organization held a card there was in December 2017, making this an exciting homecoming for local fans and fighters alike.

As anticipation builds for the event at the Canada Life Centre, the inclusion of local talent like Leblanc is likely to energize the crowd. The fight night promises to showcase not only the skill of its athletes but also the growing MMA culture in Canada.