6 a.m. ET: Main Card | 3 a.m. ET: Prelims
For the first time in nearly eight years, UFC returns to Shanghai, China this weekend with UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, live from Shanghai Indoor Stadium, August 23, on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM, with the main card at 6 a.m. ET and prelims beginning at 3 a.m.
Main Event
- Light heavyweight finishers No. 13 Johnny Walker and 14 Zhang Mingyang collide in this weekend’s main event. Walker (21‑9), a seasoned veteran and one of the sport’s most dangerous knockout fighters, brings a wealth of Octagon experience to the bout. Zhang (19‑6), a surging prospect, has created waves with 12 consecutive first-round finishes in his MMA record, positioning himself as a must-see emerging threat in the light heavyweight ranks.
Co-Main Event
- Top 10 featherweights No. 5 Brian Ortega and No. 7 Aljamain Sterling meet in a pivotal co-main event. Ortega (16-4) returns for his first bout since UFC 306 and looks to reaffirm his place among the elite at 145 pounds. Sterling (24-5) aims to bounce back from a competitive outing against Movsar Evloev and continue his transition to featherweight following a successful run as bantamweight champion.
ESPN+, ESPN.com, ESPN App UFC Content: Editorial, Live and Upcoming, On Demand, Studio Shows, Archives
- UFC Fight Night: Expert picks, best bets for Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang
- Good Guy/Bad Guy with Daniel Cormier & Chael Sonnen
- Dana White’s Contender Series
On the call
Brendan Fitzgerald will call the action alongside former UFC champions Michael Bisping and Laura Sanko. John Gooden will handle sideline reporting.
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Programming (All times ET)
| Thurs. 8/21 | 11:30 p.m. | UFC Fight Night Pre-Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Walker vs. Zhang | ESPN+ |
| Fri. 8/22 | 5 p.m. | UFC Live | ESPN2 |
| Sat. 8/23 | 3 a.m. | UFC Fight Night Presented by Bud Light: Walker vs. Zhang (Prelims) | ESPN+ (English & Spanish), ESPN Xtra on SiriusXM |
| 6 a.m. | UFC Fight Night Presented by Bud Light: Walker vs. Zhang (Main Card) | ||
| 9 a.m.* | UFC Fight Night Post Show Presented by Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey: Walker vs. Zhang | ESPN+ |
*Immediately following Main Event.
Main Card and Prelims (All times ET)
| 6 a.m. | Main | Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang |
| Co-Main | Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling | |
| Undercard | Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta | |
| Undercard | Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas | |
| Undercard | Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie | |
| 3 a.m. | Feature | Maheshate vs. Gauge Young |
| Undercard | Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson | |
| Undercard | Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard | |
| Undercard | Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus | |
| Undercard | Yizha vs. Westin Wilson | |
| Undercard | Xiao Long vs. SuYoung You | |
| Undercard | Uran Satybaldiev vs. Diyar Nurgozhay |
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