Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Leandro Bernardes/ZUMA WIRE/IMAGO: UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker regrets not changing his strategy mid-fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Vegas 84. via Getty Images

UFC Shanghai preview, start time, full fight card as Zhang Mingyang returns home to fight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Hamish Woodward | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 5:44 AM ET

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.

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.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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