Juan Diaz vs. Alateng Heili
UFC 334 · November 14, 2026 · Madison Square Garden · Early Prelims 5:00 PM ET
The brief
- What kind of fight
- UFC newcomer vs. short-notice veteran
- Finish likelihood
- Medium
- The line
- No line posted yet
- The stakes
- Bantamweight · Early Prelims
The read
Diaz's grappling-heavy debut win gives him a path to control this fight if he can get Heili to the mat, and his finishing rate across knockout, submission and decision points to a well-rounded game.
Heili's much deeper experience level and durability give him a route to survive that grappling and turn this into a decision.
A short-notice litmus test for how Diaz's debut form translates against a grizzled veteran.
The matchup
Diaz steps in against a short-notice replacement after Adrian Yanez withdrew from this bantamweight pairing.
Diaz, a perfect 1-0 in the UFC after a second-round submission in his debut, now faces Heili, a decade-long UFC mainstay with 18 pro wins who arrives on days' notice.
Heili's far deeper experience level gives him a path to survive Diaz's grappling and drag this into deeper water.
Tale of the tape
| 16-1-1 | Record | 18-10-2 |
| 28 | Age | 34 |
| 5'8" | Height | 5'5" |
| 69" | Reach | — |
| Orthodox | Stance | — |
| Peru | Country | China |
| Entram Gym | Team | Fight Ready |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Juan Diaz 16-1-1
“Pegajoso”
Juan 'Pegajoso' Diaz is a 28-year-old Peruvian bantamweight out of Entram Gym, 16-1-1 as a pro and a perfect 1-0 in the UFC. He submitted Malcolm Wellmaker by rear-naked choke in his promotional debut in May 2026, and he now steps in against short-notice replacement Alateng Heili after original opponent Adrian Yanez withdrew from the bout.
- WMalcolm Wellmaker · Submission (rear-naked choke)UFC Fight Night · May 16, 2026
Alateng Heili 18-10-2
“The Mongolian Knight”
Alateng 'The Mongolian Knight' Heili is a 34-year-old Chinese bantamweight affiliated with Fight Ready, an 18-10-2 veteran of more than a decade on the UFC roster. He won a split decision over John Castaneda in September 2026, bouncing back from a decision loss to Da'Mon Blackshear the previous year, and he now steps in on short notice to face UFC newcomer Juan Diaz after Adrian Yanez withdrew from the bout.
- WJohn Castaneda · Decision (split)UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos · September 26, 2026
- LDa'Mon Blackshear · Decision (unanimous)UFC on ESPN 66 · April 26, 2025