Julien Leblanc

0-1
Record
Age / DOB 34
(Jan 21, 1992)
Height 6' 2"
Weight 185 lbs.
Reach 74"
Stance Southpaw
Career Averages
1.69 Sig. Strikes / Min
66.0% Sig. Strike Acc.
2.96 Absorbed / Min
46.0% Strike Defense
0.0 TD Avg / 15 min
0.0% TD Accuracy
0.0% TD Defense
0.0 Sub. / Fight
Loss Methods (1)
KO/TKO 0
Submission 1
Decision 0

Fight History

Result / Opponent
Event & Date
Method/Round
Links
Comments
Submission R1 2:22
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Julien Leblanc 0 4 of 6 66% 4 of 6 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Robert Valentin 0 7 of 13 53% 14 of 20 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:42
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Julien Leblanc 0 4 of 6 66% 4 of 6 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Robert Valentin 0 7 of 13 53% 14 of 20 1 of 1 100% 1 0 1:42
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Julien Leblanc 4 of 6 66% 1 of 3 2 of 2 1 of 1 4 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Robert Valentin 7 of 13 53% 1 of 7 2 of 2 4 of 4 7 of 13 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Julien Leblanc 4 of 6 66% 1 of 3 2 of 2 1 of 1 4 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Robert Valentin 7 of 13 53% 1 of 7 2 of 2 4 of 4 7 of 13 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Julien Leblanc vs. Robert Valentin
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Valentin (-130); Leblanc (+110)

Round 1
At the tender age of 34, Canada’s Leblanc (10-2, 0-0 UFC) is getting a callup to the UFC. The newly signed middleweight will be greeted by Valentin (10-6, 1 NC; 0-3 UFC), who cannot seem to even buy a win in the Octagon thus far. Referee Chris Desautels will take care of the particulars, standing back as the two opt against touching gloves.
Valentin leads off with a chopping low kick, and he watches as a head kick buzzes the tower. Valentin sinks in a body kick, and Leblanc fires one back just as hard. Valentin beats down the front leg with three hard leg kicks, and he rocks the Canadian with an overhand right. Valentin bowls the local athlete over and climbs into full mount with ease, and he allows Leblanc to turn over so he can take his back and get his hooks in. Leblanc hand-fights to defend his neck, so Valentin smacks him with his right hand and a number of questionable elbows to open a choke up. Valentin grips hold of a face crank submission, crushing the newcomer’s jaw without even bothering to slide it under the chin.
As Valentin squeezes, his forearm slowly works its way beneath the chin after all, and it is now a windpipe-destroying, carotid-crushing rear-naked choke. Leblanc knows he has nothing more to offer today and quickly surrenders, with the choke so tight that he might have otherwise gone out before long.
It is a much-needed win for Valentin, who earns his first victory with the promotion in his fourth attempt. It is also a hugely emotional moment for Valentin, who celebrates with tears in his eyes as he embraces his team and vanquished opponent.

The Official Result
Robert Valentin def. Julien Leblanc R1 2:22 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Expert Picks (7)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Robert Valentin

Angelo leans Robert Valentin based on toughness and the opinion of capper Bet Sam, who called Julien LeBlanc unathletic. He acknowledges both fighters are not good, but believes Robert's durability and chaotic style give him the edge. He plans to leave the fight alone betting-wise.

"I'm just going to lean Robert. This pick is based less on skill and more on just literal toughness."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 15, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Robert Valentin

Cody picks Robert Valentin, citing his size advantage and better overall skills. He notes that Julien Leblanc is not UFC caliber and has weak wrestling. He also mentions that Valentin is fighting for his job and should be motivated.

"It's going to be a Robert Valentine play on my end just out of clear principle."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Apr 17, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Robert Valentin

Connor picks Valentin because despite his three-fight skid, he is at least a legitimate athlete who trains hard, whereas LeBlanc is not a pro athlete and looks out of shape. He notes that Valentin's losses came against decent athletes, but LeBlanc is the 'very picture of anybody ever' and lacks the physical tools to compete.

Valentin opened as favorite at -145, LeBlanc at +125; odds shifted from Valentin opening as underdog due to skid
"I think Valentin probably will be a LeBlanc because LeBlanc looks like legitimately bad. Valentin at least looks like a guy who's like in the gym, putting in the work."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Robert Valentin

James picks Robert Valentin as an underdog, believing he has a submission threat and can finish early. He notes Valentin's 0-3 UFC record but thinks he is better than shown and can catch Leblanc on the ground.

Robert Valentin wins via submission in round one
"I am picking Valentine to win the fight. I'm picking him to win via submission. And I'm picking him to win via submission in round one."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Apr 14, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Robert Valentin

The host thinks Valentin is a better version of LeBlanc with a better grappling game. He expects Valentin to find a submission and force LeBlanc to tap, looking dominant. He notes that Valentin is underrated and has improved since his earlier losses, and that LeBlanc's takedown defense is porous.

Valentin by submission
"I really like Valentin in this spot. I think he finds the finish. I think he gets the submission and he forces Julian LeBlanc to tap and I think it looks quite dominant as well."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Apr 15, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Robert Valentin

Paul also picks Robert Valentin, agreeing with Cody. He notes that Leblanc is not good and that Valentin has the strength advantage. He mentions that he got Valentin at minus 136 and would not play him at minus 200.

"Valentine's side for me. And I agree with the the line movement."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Apr 17, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Robert Valentin

Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Valentin is bigger and in shape while LeBlanc is not. He points out that Valentin's aggressive grappling style, though flawed, should work against a non-athlete like LeBlanc. He emphasizes that LeBlanc is not built to be a pro fighter.

Valentin opened as favorite at -145, LeBlanc at +125; odds shifted from Valentin opening as underdog
"I think Valentin probably will be a LeBlanc because LeBlanc looks like legitimately bad. Valentin at least looks like a guy who's like in the gym, putting in the work."