UFC Mexico vs. WWE Elimination Chamber: What Event Provided More Bang for Your Buck on Saturday Night?
By David Potter
Combat sports fans were faced with an unusual dilemma on Saturday night: two major events under the same corporate umbrella going head-to-head.
On February 28, 2026, both UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh in Mexico City and WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 in Chicago aired on the same evening, forcing fans to choose between elite mixed martial arts action and WWE’s road-to-WrestleMania spectacle.
With both promotions now operating under TKO Group Holdings, many fans online questioned why the company would schedule two major events on the same night.
So which event delivered the better value?
Let’s break it down.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Results & Highlights
The 2026 Elimination Chamber took place at the United Center in Chicago, drawing nearly 20,000 fans and setting the stage for WrestleMania 42.
The event featured four matches, including two high-stakes Elimination Chamber bouts determining championship challengers.
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Participants:
- Rhea Ripley
- Tiffany Stratton
- Alexa Bliss
- Asuka
- Kiana James
- Raquel Rodriguez
Key Eliminations:
- Alexa Bliss eliminated by Kiana James
- Kiana James eliminated by Raquel Rodriguez
- Raquel Rodriguez eliminated by Tiffany Stratton
- Tiffany Stratton eliminated by Rhea Ripley
Ripley sealed the victory with a devastating Riptide, earning a WrestleMania championship opportunity against Jade Cargill.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship
AJ Lee def. Becky Lynch (c) via submission
In one of the most emotional moments of the night, AJ Lee captured her first championship in over a decade by forcing Lynch to tap out to the Black Widow.
World Heavyweight Championship
CM Punk (c) def. Finn Bálor
Punk retained the championship in front of his hometown Chicago crowd with a decisive Go To Sleep (GTS) after surviving multiple Coup De Grace attempts.
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match
Winner: Randy Orton
Participants:
- Randy Orton
- Cody Rhodes
- LA Knight
- Logan Paul
- Je’Von Evans
- Trick Williams
Final Sequence:
- Cody Rhodes eliminated Logan Paul
- Randy Orton eliminated Cody Rhodes with an RKO
Orton secured a WrestleMania title shot against Drew McIntyre.
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Kavanagh Results
Meanwhile in Mexico City, the UFC delivered a competitive fight card at Arena CDMX headlined by former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno facing rising contender Lone’er Kavanagh.
Main Event
Lone’er Kavanagh def. Brandon Moreno
Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Fight Stats
- Total Strikes: Kavanagh 134/229 — Moreno 136/245
- Significant Strikes: Kavanagh 79/168 — Moreno 97/205
- Control Time: Kavanagh 7:20 — Moreno 0:00
- Knockdowns: 0 each
Kavanagh controlled key moments of the fight with pressure and grappling exchanges, shocking the Mexico City crowd with a huge upset victory.
Co-Main Event
David Martinez def. Marlon Vera
Unanimous Decision
Martinez outworked Vera across three rounds to earn the biggest victory of his career.
Other Main Card Results
- King Green def. Daniel Zellhuber
- Felipe Bunes def. Edgar Cháirez
- Imanol Rodríguez def. Kevin Borjas
- Santiago Luna def. Angel Pacheco
The preliminary card featured several finishes including a 41-second TKO victory by Ryan Gandra and a submission win by Francis Marshall.
Internet Reactions: Pros & Cons
What Fans Loved About UFC Mexico
Pros
- High-level fights with real stakes
- Major upset in the main event
- Multiple finishes and entertaining matchups
Cons
- Some fans felt the card lacked star power outside the main event
- Several fights going to decision slowed the pacing
What Fans Loved About Elimination Chamber
Pros
- Major WrestleMania implications
- Emotional moments including AJ Lee’s title victory
- Huge crowd reactions in Chicago
Cons
- Some fans felt match outcomes were predictable
- A smaller match card than typical WWE premium events
Our Verdict
After reviewing fan reactions, match quality, and overall entertainment value, this one ends in a draw.
The UFC card delivered legitimate sporting drama and surprising results, while WWE delivered spectacle, storytelling, and major WrestleMania momentum.
However, the bigger issue may be scheduling.
With both promotions now under TKO Group Holdings, airing major UFC and WWE events on the same night risks splitting the fanbase and leaving money on the table.
A more strategic approach could be simple:
- UFC events on Saturdays
- WWE Premium Live Events on Sundays
This type of scheduling would allow TKO to maximize viewership, pay-per-view buys, and streaming engagement for both brands.
Because if Saturday night proved anything, it’s that combat sports fans are willing to watch both — just not at the same time.