UFC Shanghai: Your Ultimate Guide to Walker vs. Zhang and Michel Pereira’s Return

Published On: August 23, 2025

The Octagon is heading back to China for the first time since 2019, and fight fans are in for a treat. UFC Shanghai is stacked with explosive matchups that promise fireworks from the first prelim to the main event.

Headlined by the light heavyweight clash between China’s own knockout artist Zhang Mingyang and the unpredictable Johnny Walker, this card has all the makings of a classic Fight Night. Plus, the ever-entertaining Michel Pereira is back in action!

If you’re wondering how to catch all the action, we’ve got you covered. Here’s your complete guide to watching UFC Shanghai, including start times, channel info, and a peek at what to expect inside the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

How to Watch UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang

Date: Saturday, August 23rd
Location: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai, China
Prelims Start Time: 3:00 AM ET / 12:00 AM PT
Main Card Start Time: 6:00 AM ET / 3:00 AM PT
How to Stream: ESPN+ (Exclusively)

Yes, you read those times right. This is an early-morning event for fans in the Americas. Consider it the perfect excuse for a hardcore fight fan’s breakfast viewing party. The entire event, from the early prelims to the main card, will be streaming live on ESPN+.

The Main Event: A Can’t-Blink Knockout Showdown

The headline fight is a striker’s dream—or nightmare, depending on how you look at it.

Johnny Walker is one of the most thrilling and volatile fighters in the UFC. He burst onto the scene with three consecutive first-round knockouts, a feat only matched by his opponent this weekend. Walker is all about unorthodox movement and fight-ending power. However, he’s hit a rough patch recently, suffering knockout losses in his last two outings, leaving many to question his chin.

Standing across from him is China’s next big star, Zhang Mingyang. “Mountain Tiger” has mirrored Walker’s early career, also winning his first three UFC bouts by devastating first-round KO. He carries immense power, precision, and a killer instinct that has the entire light heavyweight division on notice.

Expert Pick: The analysts are heavily favoring Zhang. ESPN’s Din Thomas predicts a Zhang victory by TKO, citing Walker’s recent vulnerability and Zhang’s power. Betting expert Ian Parker agrees, calling for the fight to end under 1.5 rounds. This one has “early finish” written all over it.

Don’t Sleep on the Co-Main and Michel Pereira

While the main event will get the headlines, the rest of the card is loaded.

The co-main event is a fantastic tactical battle between two top-ten featherweights. Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling are both elite grapplers, and their clash is expected to be a technical chess match. The smart money is on this fight going the distance.

And keep your eyes peeled for Michel Pereira on the prelims! The fan-favorite known for his acrobatic and unpredictable style takes on Kyle Daukaus. After a string of exciting wins, Pereira is always a must-watch fighter who brings pure entertainment every time he steps into the cage. His presence on the prelims makes tuning in early absolutely essential.