UFC Shanghai highlights the light heavyweights, as Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang make history early Saturday morning in China.
There's just something about a UFC fight night in China that hits a little bit differently. The country hasn't been a significant landmark to host dozens of events or anything stunning, but in seven visits, some truly unforgettable moments have occurred.
On Saturday, UFC Shanghai looks to deliver more epic highlight reels to China's UFC timeline, as light heavyweight finishers Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang look to elevate their way through the ranks. The native Zhang will make history in what will be his first UFC headliner, becoming the first male Chinese fighter to headline in the country. A win will only further speed up his quick start after a recent Anthony Smith knockout, while Walker looks to get back in the win column and remain a relevant contender.
The co-main event also holds high stakes, as former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling takes on two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega. After initially being scheduled for 145 pounds, complications on Ortega's side led to the fight moving to a catchweight of 153 pounds. They'll have five rounds to work.
Considering the names and stakes involved for an always-fun trip to the "Sleeping Giant," UFC Shanghai should satisfy those in attendance. It's a solid lineup and will leave us with plenty to talk about in the aftermath.
đŸ‘‘ UFC Shanghai's lineup Crown grade: B-. đŸ‘‘
Betting odds courtesy of BetMGM.
205 pounds: Johnny Walker (+275) vs. Zhang Mingyang (-350)
OK, there's no sugarcoating to be done for some of these fights at UFC Shanghai, folks. That includes the main event, which will see Walker get absolutely obliterated to the cheers of thousands of Chinese fans.
This fight couldn't be more designed to let Zhang shine. The man is as dangerous as it gets amongst light heavyweight's best knockout artists in 2025, having stopped 10 of the 11 fights in his current streak with strikes. He is a brick cannon who hasn't seen the second round since 2018. When he lands punches, your neighbor feels it.
I don't want to disrespect Walker. He's a wonderful man. But the truth is the truth; he might have the least durable chin on the entire UFC roster — we could go as far as to say ever. I wouldn't trust his consciousness to survive an NFL helmet's chinstrap. (Maybe the ones from the 1920s, but even that's a stretch.)
Alright, on the positive side, Walker is a stupendously massive 205-pounder and insanely athletic for his size, as he shows off any time he scores his own highlight-reel finishes. His arsenal holds much more variety than Zhang's, and it's not like he can't land something wild. The surging Chinese contender has been knocked out before too — just far less frequently, recently and brutally.
This fight comes down to who catches who first because someone will. And it will be the first round. And it will be Walker. Because we've seen this song and dance enough by now.
Pick: Zhang
153 pounds: Brian Ortega (+240) vs. Aljamain Sterling (-300)
We have a last-minute change-up, everyone. Originally, I was fully on board with Ortega, winning via his patented method of nearly being executed in the public eye, only to catch a submission late. Then he stepped on the scale at weigh-ins and did his best impression of Christian Bale in The Machinist.
OK, it wasn't that bad because nothing is that bad, but he still looked like a corpse of a man.
Even against a style like Sterling's, I can see Ortega having success early here because Sterling isn't an overly devastating striker. When given time to get comfortable on the feet, Ortega has shown glimpses of brilliance. Most notably against Chan Sung Jung, but against Sterling, it's safe to assume we'll see tons of thrilling grappling exchanges. However, Ortega won't hang in the same manner as Sterling's last foe, Movsar Evloev. Therefore, he'll constantly work for the submissions he's been a master at finding.
It's just difficult to assume Sterling won't completely drain whatever is left in the depleted Ortega's soul as this fight potentially reaches rounds four and five. Now, we might even see a Sterling stoppage via ground and pound.
Pick: Sterling
265 pounds: Sergei Pavlovich (-250) vs. Waldo Acosta-Cortes (+200)
There's some kind of Mandela Effect going on with Waldo Acosta-Cortes, and I say this because I know Mr. Petesy Carroll here at Uncrowned is in the same boat as I am. Every single time I think of Acosta-Cortes without seeing his name, I think it's Cortes-Acosta. My brain simply can't break this.
Anyway, this fight is ridiculous. If Sergei Pavlovich loses, the heavyweight division is even worse off than we all thought it was. Shambolic doesn't describe it anymore. It will be like Old Yeller rising up from the grave, requesting to be put down a second time.
Aside from a large level of competition gap, Pavlovich is still one of the hardest hitters at heavyweight, quick, and technically superior in every aspect.
Pick: Pavlovich
125 pounds: Sumudaerji (-175) vs. Kevin Borjas (+145)
Sumudaerji is just a blast of a time, isn't he?Â
The flyweight striker is made for big crowds in locations like Shanghai. Kevin Borjas makes for a willing dance partner to deliver the entertainment, and although he hasn't panned out upon his arrival through Contender Series, he can get on track with a second-straight win.
This fight should be a war of attrition for as long as it lasts. Believe it or not, Sumudaerji has never lost via strikes, despite his many chaotic collisions. Generally, he may get hurt first before being submitted, but a flat-out striking stoppage has been evaded. I wouldn't put this fight in the realm of the main event. Still, Sumudaerji is a more versatile striker who should be able to fend off any serious control time and showcase better durability en route to a victory.
Pick: Sumudaerji
170 pounds: Taiyilake Nueraji (-450) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (+340)
You want a showcase fight? Alright, here's your showcase fight.
The 11-1 Taiyilake Nueraji is getting a pretty sweet opportunity to open the UFC Shanghai main card in his promotional debut. Outside of an armbarred Maxim Shimchenko, Nueraji has knocked out everyone put in his way. On the other side of the coin, there's Ireland's Kiefer Crosbie, who has lost each of his UFC bouts by first-round submission. The jury is out on whether or not he's UFC caliber, unfortunately.
Obviously, the big question mark thus far on the 24-year-old Nueraji, at a glance, should be his level of competition. Outside of his last win, each opponent had the experience of an appropriate, if not exceeded, trajectory. Ultimately, Nueraji has been performing ahead of his years with the violence he's delivered, making it clear why he's the rightful favorite here.
Pick: Nueraji
Preliminary Notes
Not much needs to be said about the UFC Shanghai prelims. Just watch them, and you'll have a good time — along with surely seeing Westin Wilson get mauled because the matchmakers hate him.
Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus is the one that demands a double-take. What happened to Pereira? Why is this fight here? A Brazilian and an American walk into a Shanghai steel cage... No, no, no.
The once-super showman Pereira went from holding a supremely under-the-radar long winning streak before his first UFC main event to tumbling into this obscurity. It kind of feels like do-or-die, considering that the Anthony Hernandez bout was in October. All the more reason to watch and find out.
Quick picks:
Gauge Young (-135) def. Maheshate Hayisaer (+110)
Lone'er Kavanagh (-210) def. Charles Johnson (+170)
Rong Zhu (-250) def. Austin Hubbard (+200)
Michel Pereira (-285) def. Kyle Daukaus (+230)
Yi Zha (-1200) def. Westin Wilson (+725)
Suyoung Yu (-120) def. Xiao Long (+100)
Uran Satybaldiev (-135) def. Diyar Nurgozhay (+110)
Category: General Sports
