UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang 8/23/2025 Today Show

UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang 8/23/2025 Today Show

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Date & Time: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Prelims: 3:00 AM ET
Main Card: 6:00 AM ET
Venue: Shanghai Indoor Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Arena), Shanghai, China
Broadcast: ESPN+ (U.S.) | UFC Fight Pass (Worldwide)

Match Card

Main Event (Light Heavyweight):

• Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang

Co-Main Event (Catchweight – 153 lbs):

• Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling

Main Card Highlights:

• Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Heavyweight)
• Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
• Kiefer Crosbie vs. Taiyilake Nueraji (Welterweight)

Preliminary Bouts:

• Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Gauge Young
• Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson
• Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard
• Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus
• Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Uran Satybaldiev
• Yizha vs. Westin Wilson
• Long Xiao vs. Su Young You

Match Previews

• Walker vs. Zhang (Main Event):
  Johnny Walker brings explosive striking and unpredictable style, but Zhang Mingyang is undefeated in the UFC and known for his first-round knockout power. This clash has major implications for the light heavyweight division.
• Ortega vs. Sterling (Co-Main):
  A classic striker-vs-grappler matchup. Ortega’s elite submissions face Sterling’s high-level wrestling and improved striking. Ortega’s recent weight struggles add drama, while Sterling is favored for his championship pedigree.
• Other Featured Bouts:
  Sergei Pavlovich looks to reassert his heavyweight dominance against Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Local stars Sumudaerji and Nueraji bring high-paced action, promising fireworks for the Shanghai crowd.

Conclusion

UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang is a historic return to Shanghai, marking the UFC’s first mainland China event since 2017. With Walker vs. Zhang in the main event, Ortega vs. Sterling in the co-main, and a card stacked with international and Chinese prospects, this event showcases the UFC’s global expansion while spotlighting Asia’s rising stars.