Week 5 of the 2026 UFL season started off with a bang, as the DC Defenders (4-1) went on the road and crushed the Birmingham Stallions (1-4) by double digits at Protective Stadium in Alabama on FOX UFL Friday. It was the first game for both teams after the league announced a pair of massive trades involving four organizations last weekend.
Next, the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-2) are on the road to face the undefeated Orlando Storm (4-0) on Saturday afternoon.
Closing things out on Sunday, we’ve got a doubleheader. First, the Houston Gamblers (1-3) are playing host to the Columbus Aviators (1-3), followed by the Louisville Kings (1-3) traveling to face the Dallas Renegades (3-1).
Here are the results from Week 5:
Key players: Defenders QB Jordan Taamu (15-for-22 for 275 yards, four touchdowns), WR Ty Scott (3-for-4 for 84 yards, two touchdowns), WR Erik Ezukanma (2-for-2 for 77 yards), RB Xazavian Valladay (eight carries for 50 yards, two touchdowns); Stallions QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (28-for-43 for 313 yards, two touchdowns), WR Justyn Ross (9-for-11 for 107 yards), WR Deon Cain (5-for-10 for 57 yards, one touchdown).
Game recap: The Defenders hit pay dirt on the opening drive of the game, taking just six plays to find the end zone after a monster 60-plus-yard kickoff return set DC up for success early. The Stallions, on the other hand, didn’t get off to a smooth start. Newly minted Birmingham quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was picked off in the red zone on the team’s first drive, but he bounced back on the Stallions’ second possession to get them on the board, 7-6. DC extended its lead with a rushing score midway through the second quarter, and a costly fumble by Birmingham gave the ball right back to the Defenders. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu capitalized on the newfound possession, throwing up a dazzling 45-yard touchdown to make it a 15-point game, 21-6. Thompson-Robinson was able to use his legs to get the Stallions into the end zone before halftime, closing the gap slightly to 21-13.
Things were looking up for the Stallions early in the second half. They came out on the break swinging, Â cashing in for a touchdown to open the third quarter and pull within two points, 21-1
