Johnny Walker presents itself in UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @johnnywalker
You better set your alarm clock, because after almost six years, Ultimate returns to Mainland China for the UFC Shanghai, starting at 04 am (Brasília time) this Saturday (23). In the main fight, Johnny Walker tries to end the 'Brazilian curse' and become the first athlete from the country to win a 'main event' in 2025.
So far, all nine Brazilians scheduled for main event fights this year have ended up losing. Among them, big names like Alex Poatán e Charles of the Bronx. To end such a fate, Johnny Walker will have to overcome the Chinese knockout artist Mingyang Zhang, undefeated in the UFC.
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Johnny Walker defends his ranking at UFC Shanghai
In addition to the possibility of ending the 'Brazilian curse' and also breaking his own negative streak, as he hasn't won in three fights, Johnny Walker It has on UFC Shanghai, the mission of defending the 13th place in the light heavyweight ranking (up to 93 kg). At 33 years old, the 'raised' from Belford Roxo, in Rio de Janeiro, has not won a fight in more than two years, since the victory over Anthony Smith on May 2023.
Walker's rival this Saturday morning, Mingyang Zhang He is currently ranked 14th in the division. The 27-year-old Chinese fighter is undefeated in the UFC, with three knockouts in three fights. In his career, the 'Mountain Tiger' has not lost since October 2019 and is on an impressive streak of 12 wins, all in the first round.
Also under pressure, Michel Pereira enters action on the preliminary card
Michael Pereira faces Kyle Daukaus at UFC Shanghai. Photo: Reproduction/X @UFCNews
The only Brazilian, besides Johnny Walker, scheduled for the UFC Shanghai, Michael Pereira also has a mission to find his way back to victory. At 31, the 'Flying Paraense' has suffered two consecutive losses, ending a winning streak that lasted eight fights.
The opponent this time will be the North American Kyle Daukaus, who returns to the organization three years after being released, to replace the Brazilian Marcus Tullius weeks in advance.
UFC Shanghai technical sheet
Date: 23 August 2025
Time: From 4pm (Brasília time)
Location: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE In real time, UFC Fight Pass (the entire card) online.
MAIN CARD (07pm Brasília time)
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Johnny Walker x Zhang Mingyang
Married weight (up to 69,4 kg): Brian ortega x aljamain sterling
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Sergei Pavlovich x Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Sumudaerji x Kevin Borjas
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Kiefer Crosbie x Taiyilake Nueraji
PRELIMINARY CARD (04pm Brasília time)
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Maheshate x Gauge Young
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Lone'er Kavanagh x Charles Johnson
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Rong Zhu x Austin Hubbard
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Michael Pereira x Kyle Daukaus
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Yi Zha x Westin Wilson
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Xiao Long x Su-Young You
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Uran Satybaldiev x Diyar Nurgozhay
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