The Shanghai Indoor Arena has the pleasure of hosting a wild fight night, which holds plenty in store for Chinese fans.
It’s the first time that the UFC has visited this city since November 2017, where Kelvin Gastelum retired Michael Bisping with a first-round knockout.
Fighters such as Zabit Magomedsharipov, Li Jingliang, Yan Xiaonan and Song Yadong would make their names heard in this event.
So after a bit of nostalgia, here are five battles you should keep your eye on for this stacked fight card.
Johnny Walker vs Zhang Mingyang
The headliner is practically unmissable between two Light Heavyweights who plan to finish fights.
Walker fought twice last year, suffering two devastating knockout losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Volkan Oezdemir.
The Brazilian holds some very credible victories over the likes of Anthony Smith, Paul Craig and Khalil Rountree Jr.
While he sits on a three-fight winless streak, the #13 contender hopes to turn things around and hold his position in the rankings.
Mingyang has only had three fights in the UFC after making his debut at UFC 298, winning all of those by knockout.
‘The Mountain Tiger’ has a 100% finish rate with all of his stoppage triumphs ending in round one.
The Chinese mixed martial artist is one of the hottest prospects in the 205-pound division so that a victory could put him against a very high-ranked opponent next.
This battle will be surprising if it goes the distance, or even more shocking if it lasts one round.
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling
From knockout artists to submission artists, the co-main event provides an intriguing Featherweight contest.
Ortega lost his last fight to Diego Lopes at UFC 306, suffering an unanimous decision defeat.
‘T-City’ has fought for the title twice, despite losing both times, and has stopped the likes of Yair Rodriguez and Frankie Edgar.
The #4 contender is hoping to maintain his ranking and bounce back from a defeat once again.
Sterling was defeated in his last fight by unanimous decision against Movsar Evloev at UFC 310, his first loss at 145 pounds.
The former UFC Bantamweight Champion decided to step up a weight class, conquering Petr Yan, Cory Sandhagen and Henry Cejudo in the 135-pound division.
‘Funk Master’ sits at #7 in the Featherweight rankings, and a victory would move him up into the top five.
Expect to see this fight go to the ground with some interesting grappling exchanges and submission attempts.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Moving on to a Heavyweight scrap, which proves to be hard to predict.
Pavlovich snapped his two-fight losing streak by going the distance with Jairzinho Rozenstruik, winning by unanimous decision.
Before his interim title loss to Tom Aspinall, the Russian was on a path of destruction, earning six consecutive first-round knockouts.
The #3 contender wants another shot at gold, plus revenge against the Englishman, as a win could just grant that
Cortes-Acosta increased his win streak to five after defeating Serghei Spivac by unanimous decision at UFC 316.
While he has been slightly under the radar, ‘Salsa Boy’ has taken the names of Andrei Arlovski and Ryan Spann.
The Dominican Republic’s mixed martial artists have a chance to enter the title contention and earn the biggest victory of their career.
Although Pavlovich will be a dominant favourite for MMA fans, you can’t count out Cortes-Acosta at UFC Shanghai.
Lone’er Kavanagh vs Charles Johnson
We have an English prospect taking on one of the most active fighters in the division at 125 pounds.
Kavanagh remained undefeated at UFC London after beating Felipe dos Santos by unanimous decision.
The 26-year-old holds nine victories with four ending by KO/TKO and one by submission.
If the London fighter is successful in Shanghai, he could be contesting for a place in the Flyweight rankings next.
Johnson lost his four-fight win streak when he faced Ramzan Temirov at UFC Vegas 103, losing by unanimous decision.
‘InnerG’ held some astounding wins, which included a decision victory against Sumudaerji and a knockout triumph against Joshua Van.
The former Flyweight contender is hoping to get back in the rankings, and a win could make that happen.
Both men are great on their feet and on the ground, so prepare yourself for a high-paced battle.
Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus
One aims to return to the win column, while the other makes his second stint in the UFC.
After standing on an eight-fight win streak, Pereira is now on a two-fight losing streak after losing to Abus Magomedov at UFC Kansas City.
The Brazilian’s last three wins ended in the first round, lasting just under 70 seconds in the space of seven months.
‘Demolidor’ is aiming to bounce back with his thrilling fighting style, hoping to get a loud crowd reaction from his performance.
After exiting the UFC in December 2022 with a two-fight losing streak, Daukuas makes his comeback after four consecutive wins.
‘The D’Arce Knight’ was challenged in his first UFC stint, facing the likes of Brendan Allen, Kevin Holland and Roman Dolidze.
After taking this fight on short notice, the American has an excellent opportunity to cause a huge upset.
Neither men like to go the distance, as it seems that one of these fighters will exit UFC Shanghai with a finish.
