Las Vegas — Light heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato started off his 2026 in fine fashion at UFC 326, stopping former CFFC champ Luke Fernandez in the latter’s promotional debut.
Bellato (13-3-1, 1NC) was coming off a rough year in 2025 that saw him winless in three fights. His TKO finish of Fernandez has him much more confident this year.
“2025, a hard but a year full of learning experiences for me. The draw, the no contest then the loss and everything else,” Bellato admitted, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press following the fight. “To begin like that, it means that 2026 is going to be a great year, and I can’t wait to fight more.”
As far as a return, Bellato had one small injury following the bout. He’s hoping to get back to work soon regardless.
“Sooner the better. I just have to recover from this, it’s a small cut by the eye there. Everything’s going to be okay, I’ll be ready in a week. UFC just give me a fight, and I’m ready to fight.”
Now that bonus money is 100K instead of 50, Bellato has more money to play with, having taken home a Performance bonus on Saturday. Asked by Cageside Press what he might use the money for, Bellato said “tonight pizza is on me here, but after that we’ll settle, we’ll see what’s up.”
Watch the full UFC 326 post-fight press conference with Rodolfo Bellato above.
