UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang — Full Match Card, Detailed Preview & U.S. Watch Guide

The UFC returns to China this weekend with a card built to deliver fireworks, as UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang takes over the Shanghai Indoor Stadium on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Headlined by a high-stakes light heavyweight showdown between Brazil’s unpredictable knockout artist Johnny Walker and China’s surging powerhouse Zhang Mingyang, the event also features a stacked lineup that includes Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling in a heated co-main event. With rising stars, veteran contenders, and a global audience tuning in on ESPN+ at a special early start time in the U.S., this card has the potential to reshape multiple divisions and ignite the crowd in Shanghai. 

Event Details & How to Watch in the U.S.

• Event: UFC Fight Night 257 — Walker vs. Zhang (Mingyang)
• Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
• Venue: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
• U.S. Broadcast: Exclusive to ESPN+
  • Preliminaries: 3:00 a.m. ET
  • Main Card: 6:00 a.m. ET

Main Card

• Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang — Light Heavyweight (Main Event)
• Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling — Featherweight (Catchweight)
• Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes‑Acosta — Heavyweight
• Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas — Flyweight
• Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie — Welterweight

Preliminary Card

• Maheshate Hayisaer vs. Gauge Young
• Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson
• Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard
• Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus
• Yizha vs. Westin Wilson
• Long Xiao vs. Su Young You
• Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Uran Satybaldiev

Full Card Details & Weigh-In Highlights

Main Event – Light Heavyweight

Johnny Walker (206 lb) vs. Zhang Mingyang (205 lb)

• Background: Brazilian knockout specialist Johnny Walker (No. 13, 21‑9) aims to rebound after back‑to‑back KO losses and return to contender status. Facing him is Chinese phenom Zhang Mingyang (No. 14, 19‑6), riding a 12‑fight first‑round finish streak and looking to make a statement in his first main event.
• Weigh‑In: Walker tipped the scales at 206 lb; Zhang at 205 lb—both cleared weight comfortably.

Note: This clash could reshape the 205‑lb pecking order—expect fireworks. 

Co-Main Event – Featherweight (Catchweight)

Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling (153 lb catchweight)

• Background: Former title challengers Ortega and ex-champ Sterling collide in a high-stakes scrap. Ortega’s weight cut was visibly rough—he appeared gaunt and unsteady, prompting debate over fight safety—but the bout remains on at a 153‑lb catchweight.
• Weigh‑In: Ortega missed featherweight; fight agreed at 153 lb.

Heavyweight Bout

Sergei Pavlovich (255.5 lb) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (262 lb)

• Background: Pavlovich, a feared striker, meets the powerful Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight matchup with serious knockout potential.
• Weigh‑In: Pavlovich weighed in at 255.5 lb; Cortes-Acosta hit 262 lb.

Flyweight Bout

Sumudaerji (125.5 lb) vs. Kevin Borjas (126 lb)

• Background: Flyweights Sumudaerji and Borjas, both making their mark, lock horns in what should be a pace-heavy, technical showdown.
• Weigh‑In: Both made weight: Sumudaerji at 125.5 lb, Borjas at 126 lb.

Welterweight Bout

Kiefer Crosbie (170.5 lb) vs. Taiyilake Nueraji (170 lb)

• Background: Crosbie takes on the debuting Nueraji, both aiming to climb the welterweight ranks. Early betting suggests a longshot, but fighters at this weight bring constant action.
• Weigh‑In: Crosbie hit 170.5 lb; Nueraji came in at 170 lb.

Preliminary Card Spotlight Match

Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight)

• Background: Rising hopeful Lone’er Kavanagh (9‑0) battles veteran Charles Johnson (LFA alum). Kavanagh eyes a top‑15 ranking with a standout performance.
• Weigh‑In: Both fighters successfully made weight.

👊 MainEvent.News | Backstage Take

UFC’s return to Shanghai is kicking off with serious impact. Zhang Mingyang’s meteoric rise and flawless knockout record make him a crowd favorite in the main event—and potentially a future title contender. Meanwhile, Johnny Walker must show evolution or risk falling further down the ladder after his recent setbacks.

The Ortega‑Sterling bout is overshadowed by Ortega’s weight scare, but if he shows up strong, it could be explosive. The heavyweight and flyweight matchups add intrigue, while the prelim matchup featuring Kavanagh might bring a breakout performance—exactly what fans look for in these cards.

For viewers in the U.S., setting the alarm isn’t just recommended—it’s mandatory or just pull an all nighter 😉. This card delivers action, drama, and potential stars in the making. We will have the full results posted with highlight clips tomorrow morning.

Watch: Zhang Mingyang - Day One 👇