After a middling run in the promotion as a featherweight, Canada’s Charles Jourdain is aiming to make himself a bona fide contender in the UFC bantamweight division this Saturday.
Charles Jourdain Aims to Defend Home Country in Winnipeg vs. Strong TUF Alum
Accepting what will be one of the most high-profile bouts of his entire career, Charles Jourdain will make the walk to the Octagon this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Winnipeg. The fight will mark the 30-year old’s third consecutive promotional appearance at a Canada-based show.
It will also be his first overall bout of 2026 following an extensive six month layoff, last seen in action last October at UFC Vancouver. In his third contest as a bantamweight, Charles Jourdain is set to trade blows with veteran competitor Kyler Phillips.
Sizing Up Charles Jourdain’s Opponent, Kyler Phillips
Practically born into the realm of fighting, Phillips has been a martial artist for nearly his entire life. First learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at just three years old, the California native was competing in his first striking matches before he entered high school. Holding titles in both BJJ, Judo, and wrestling, “The Matrix” possesses one of the most well-rounded tool boxes out of almost everyone on the UFC roster.
A professional mixed martial artist since 2016, Phillips came to prominence while participating on the Ultimate Fighter season 27, losing to future tournament winner Brad Katona. Making his debut in the UFC in 2020, the MMA Lab product has risen to become a talented prospect in the company’s stacked 135-lb class, proven by his victories over skilled opponents like Raoni Barcelos and Song Yadong. While recent losses to Rob Font and Vinicius Oliveira have halted his ascension, Phillips is still widely-viewed as a premier athlete outside the rankings.
Charles Jourdain Burst Onto Bantamweight Scene Following Exit from Featherweight
For much of his initial stint in the UFC, Charles Jourdain had fought primarily at featherweight, other than fighting at lightweight in his organizational debut back in 2019 against Desmond Green. Recording 13 scraps in the weight class, “Air” had encountered his fair share of ups and downs, scoring incredible triumphs over Choi Doo-ho, Lando Vannata, and Ricardo Ramos.
Unfortunately, setbacks to more established opposition like Nathaniel Wood, Sean Woodson, and Jean Silva would prompt the Canadian to shed 10 lbs in a drop down to bantamweight.
The move wound up paying off in spades for him, because in his freshman outing in the division at UFC Fight Night 246, Charles Jourdain put on a masterclass against seasoned adversary Victor Henry. Getting the American to the canvas, he ended up finishing the fight in the second round, catching Henry in a tight guillotine choke, making it the first time “La Mangosta” had been stopped by submission in his career spanning more than 30 bouts.
He then solidified his place as a true bantamweight prospect last year in Vancouver in his anticipated clash with another Ultimate Fighter standout in Davey Grant. Dominating the Englishman from the start of their engagement, Charles Jourdain bested Grant with another guillotine, ending the fight in just over three minutes. The victory not only netted Jourdain his first in over a year, it also granted him his second back-to-back Performance of the Night award.
Now 2-0 in the weight category, Jourdain is seeking to announce himself as a potential contender at bantamweight when he makes the trip out to Winnipeg this Saturday. Having previously held a ranking in the division at one point, Phillips is easily the most skilled fighter that the Canadian sensation has crossed paths with in his new home at 135-lb.
A highlight-reel performance in the co-main event could set up Charles Jourdain for a major step up in competition sometime later in 2026.