The UFC returns to mainland China for the first time in years in their first big event since UFC 319.
After the clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis, UFC Shanghai sees its first trip to Shanghai since 2017, with a hometown hero battling in the main event.
Chinese fighter Zhang Mingyang headlines against Johnny Walker in a Light Heavyweight battle, in an attempt to rise further up the rankings and towards a potential future title shot.
The “Mountain Tiger” is unbeaten since his 2024 debut, and Mingyang last beat Anthony Smith via TKO to extend his UFC record to 3-0.
He faced off against the fan-favorite Brazilian Walker, who is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses in his first fight in over a year.
Here is everything you need to know about UFC Shanghai.
- READ MORE – Why Khamzat Chimaev should replace Ilia Topuria as UFC pound-for-pound number one after win at UFC 319
What time is UFC Shanghai?
UFC Shanghai takes place at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China, on August 23.
The event is set to start with the prelims at 3:00 AM (ET), 12:00 AM (PT), and 8:00 AM (BST).
Following that, the main card will begin at 6:00 AM (ET), 3:00 AM (PT) and 11:00 AM (BST).
How to watch and stream UFC Shanghai?
In the USA, both the prelims and the main card of the event will be available to watch on ESPN and ESPN+ from 3:00 AM onwards.
Over in the UK, fans will be able to watch the prelims through the UFC Fight Pass from 8:00 AM before switching over to TNT Sports for coverage of the main card from 11:00 AM.
UFC Shanghai – who’s fighting?
Main card
- Light Heavyweight: Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang
- Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling
- Heavyweight: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
- Flyweight: Su Mudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas
- Welterweight: Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie
Prelims
- Lightweight: Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Gauge Young
- Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson
- Lightweight: Rong Zhu vs. Austin Hubbard
- Middleweight: Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus
- Featherweight: Yi Zha vs. Westin Wilson
- Bantamweight: Xiao Long vs. You Su-young
- Light Heavyweight: Uran Satybaldiev vs. Diyar Nurgozhay
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling is controversially only the co-main event of the bout.
While Mingyang vs Walker is the main event of UFC Shanghai, there is a much bigger fight set to go on before them.
Fans have reacted poorly to Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling only being the co-main event, as their Featherweight clash could have much bigger implications on a future title shot.
Ortega and Sterling are #4 and #7 ranked, respectively, and a win for either could propel them further up the card and towards a title shot at Alexander Pantoja’s title.
However, it is clear that Mingyang is in the main event because of his nationality, returning to China to fight for the UFC for the first time in his career.