UFC Shanghai adds banger heavyweight contender fight

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 7:16 PM ET

Chris Unger-Zuffa LLC

UFC Shanghai could host the next heavyweight title contender fight.

While the division is absolutely halted by Jon Jones, the lower-ranked competition vies for their chance to become the new crop of contenders. Most likely, they will fight Tom Aspinall when he ascends the throne, so the stakes are high.

UFC's Shanghai event on August 22 is starting to take shape, with reports of the latest heavyweight contender fight booked for the event.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

UFC report: Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta headed to Shanghai

As per a report by MMA Latino America on X, No. 4-ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich will take on Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Shanghai on August 23.

The news was also confirmed by reputable journalist Marcel Dorff on X.

Atención Rep.Dominicana

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Sergei Pavlovich se enfrentarán el 23 de agosto en el #UFCShanghai

Me confirman que 'salsa boy' viaja a China en busca de un nuevo triunfo que lo ponga en el top 5 pic.twitter.com/xrrSH0gsLV
— MMA Latinoamérica (@ClubDeLasMMA) June 18, 2025

Acosta is making a quick turnaround since his tight decision win over Serghei Spivac at UFC 316. He brings his five-fight winning streak, while Pavlovich looks to put together his first winning streak since suffering back-to-back losses against Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov.

With this fight, UFC Shanghai is up to five contests and will also feature the Road to UFC Season 4 semi-finals. A main event has not been announced as of yet.