The UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, also known as UFC Shanghai 2025, took place on August 23, 2025, in the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China. This was the UFC’s long-awaited return to mainland China, and the card was full of surprises, knockouts, and emerging stars.
In front of a passionate Chinese crowd, a number of local stars made statements, and foreign veterans showed off their skills and experience. Below is a complete list of the event’s most important moments, including every result, and what might happen next for some of the most significant fighters.
Main Event Recap: Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang
Johnny Walker, a Brazilian light heavyweight, fought Zhang Mingyang, a Chinese knockout artist who had won 12 fights in a row, in the main event. A lot of people thought Zhang would do well in front of his home fans, but Walker had other ideas.
Walker started the fight with a plan, hitting Zhang’s lead leg with strong calf kicks. The plan worked effectively, since Zhang’s movement was clearly affected. In the second round, Walker stepped up the pressure by chopping at Zhang’s knee and then hitting him with punches and elbows when he was on the ground.
At 2:37 of Round 2, the referee stopped the fight and gave Walker the win by TKO. This was one of the most impressive performances in his career, and it ended an ongoing losing streak for Walker that had lasted since mid-2023. Walker called for a fight with former champion Jan Blachowicz after the fight.
This result also stopped Zhang’s momentum and showed how big the experience difference is in the UFC light heavyweight category at the highest level.
Co-Main Event: Aljamain Sterling Dominates Brian Ortega
The co-main event saw former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling make his featherweight debut against two-time title challenger Brian Ortega. The bout was changed to a catchweight of 153 pounds after Ortega missed weight.
From the opening round, Sterling controlled the pace of the fight. His striking volume, cage control, and superior grappling kept Ortega on the defensive throughout all five rounds. Judges scored the fight 50-45 across the board in favor of Sterling.
Sterling’s dominant performance proves he’s a contender at 145 pounds, while Ortega’s recent struggles continue, marking four losses in his last five fights. The missed weight and one-sided loss could significantly impact Ortega’s standing in the division.
Pavlovich, Su Mudaerji, and Nueraji Stand Out on Main Card
Sergei Pavlovich won a unanimous decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the heavyweight class by using smart tactics and controlling the range. Pavlovich is known for his rapid knockouts, but he showed patience and adaptability, winning by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice.
Su Mudaerji, a flyweight prospect, got back on track with a sharp striking performance against Kevin Borjas, winning a clear 30-27 decision. Borjas never knew what was going to happen since he was so fast and accurate.
In the meantime, Chinese welterweight Taiyilake Nueraji knocked out Kiefer Crosbie in the first round with elbows after a strong start. There was a debated moment in the fight regarding an illegal knee strike, but the result was ruled clean.
Full UFC Shanghai Results
| Fight | Result |
|---|---|
| Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang | Walker def. Zhang via TKO (Round 2, 2:37) |
| Aljamain Sterling vs. Brian Ortega | Sterling def. Ortega via unanimous decision (50–45 x3) |
| Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta | Pavlovich def. Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2) |
| Su Mudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas | Mudaerji def. Borjas via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) |
| Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie | Nueraji def. Crosbie via TKO (Round 1, 3:33) |
| Gauge Young vs. Maheshate | Young def. Maheshate via unanimous decision |
| Charles Johnson vs. Lone’er Kavanagh | Johnson def. Kavanagh via KO (Round 2, 4:35) |
| Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard | Rongzhu def. Hubbard via unanimous decision |
| Kyle Daukaus vs. Michel Pereira | Daukaus def. Pereira via KO (Round 1, 0:43) |
| Yi Zha vs. Westin Wilson | Zha def. Wilson via KO (Round 1, 0:37) |
| SuYoung You vs. Xiao Long | You def. Long via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) |
| Uran Satybaldiev vs. Diyar Nurgozhay | Satybaldiev def. Nurgozhay via submission (Round 1, 2:45) |
UFC Shanghai Performance Bonuses
Four fighters were awarded $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses:
-
Johnny Walker for his main event TKO
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Kyle Daukaus for his 43-second KO
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Charles Johnson for his second-round knockout
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Uran Satybaldiev for his rare Ezekiel choke submission
No Fight of the Night was awarded.
These performances not only earned bonuses but also created momentum for each fighter’s next matchup.
What’s Next for the Winners?
Johnny Walker’s callout of Jan Blachowicz after the fight makes it look like the UFC is getting him ready for another fight with a top contender. If he wins there, he will be a genuine contender for the title.
Aljamain Sterling is becoming a real contender in the featherweight division. He might just need one more great performance to get a title opportunity, especially because he has a history of winning championships.
On the prospect front, fighters like Su Mudaerji, Rongzhu, and Taiyilake Nueraji demonstrated they belong on the major stage. Their ongoing growth will be important for the UFC’s growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
