International Fight Week is in full swing but that hasn’t stopped the UFC from announcing some more big fights.
The featherweight division in particular has had some huge matchups announced in recent times, with the next challenger for Alexander Volkanovski’s title potentially being decided when Movsar Evloev faces Aaron Pico.
Former title challenger Diego Lopes was confirmed to be headlining Noche UFC in September when he takes on the surging Jean Silva now that the card has been relocated to San Antonio, Texas.
The promotion’s latest announcement, via Dana White, saw the top two fights get confirmed for the Octagon’s upcoming return to Shanghai.
In the midst of UFC 317 fight week, fans took to social media to complain about one aspect of the latest bouts to be added to the schedule.
Fans complain after Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling is announced as a co-main event under light heavyweight clash
With the UFC returning to Shanghai on August 23, it makes perfect sense for a Chinese fighter to feature in a prominent spot on the card.
Thankfully, a new and exciting contender has recently emerged from this part of the world with Mingyang Zhang making some noise at light heavyweight.
After retiring Anthony Smith this past April, ‘Mountain Tiger’ will now face another staple of the 205 pound division in the #12-ranked Johnny Walker.
With Zhang vs Walker headlining the card, the fans in Shanghai will also be treated to a big co-main event as former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling looks to get back on track as a featherweight when facing former two-time title challenger, Brian Ortega.
Not only were fans surprised to see this top 10 matchup feature on a Fight Night card in China rather than on a PPV, many weren’t happy with seeing both ‘Funkmaster’ and ‘T-City’ not receive the main event spot over two heavy hitters.
‘Disgraceful having Walker main event over a former Champ…’
‘Move Ortega vs Sterling to UFC 319 immediately it’s literally the week before.’
‘Ortega vs Aljo is a sick fight so why tf is it not on a ppv and y is it in China.’
‘Ortega/Sterling should be the main event.’
‘Johnny walker? 2025? Main event? Really?’
‘Aljo under Johnny I mean brother.’
The UFC’s Shanghai card placement booking has positives and negatives
From the UFC’s point of view, it makes a lot of sense to have Mingyang Zhang be the face of their return to Shanghai, where a win in front of his home fans could be a big moment for his stock.
The counter point to this would be that the promotion could move Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling to either the main event of a Fight Night card in the United States or on a PPV.
Another downside to this card placement is that one of these fights is far more likely to benefit from going into the championship rounds, and it’s not the scheduled main event.
Ortega vs Sterling might not make for the most explosive ending to a card but it’s the kind of matchup that warrants a five-round fight considering both men’s extensive experience at the highest level.