UFC returns to China this weekend with a genuinely stacked thirteen fight lineup. A pivotal bantamweight clash headlines a card built around real ranking implications. Here is a full breakdown of the entire fight card and who wins each bout. This event continues the promotion’s growing investment in the region’s rapidly expanding fanbase.
Event Overview
UFC Shanghai takes place Saturday, August 29 at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. Prelims begin at three in the morning Eastern time on Paramount Plus. The main card follows at six in the morning from the same broadcast platform. Thirteen total fights make up one of the year’s deepest international cards.
The event marks the promotion’s return to China after a lengthy scheduling gap. Several Chinese fighters feature prominently across both the main card and prelims. That local talent gives the card genuine significance beyond just the featured main event.
The venue itself has hosted previous UFC events, giving the promotion familiar logistics. Local fans continue showing strong support for the sport’s continued growth across the region. That enthusiasm makes Shanghai one of the promotion’s most anticipated international stops each year.
UFC Shanghai Main Card
Bantamweight (Main Event): Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
Women’s Strawweight (Co-Main Event): Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes
Bantamweight: Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura
Flyweight: Alex Perez vs. Su Mudaerji
Light Heavyweight: Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Flyweight: Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas
UFC Shanghai Preliminary Card
Flyweight: Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima
Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas
Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson
Bantamweight: Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi
Bantamweight: Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago
Women’s Strawweight: Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri
Welterweight: Ding Meng vs. Cameron NelsonÂ
UFC Shanghai Fight Card and Predictions Breakdown
Umar Nurmagomedov 20-1-0 headlines against Song Yadong 23-9-1 in a crucial bantamweight matchup. Nurmagomedov enters ranked third, while Yadong sits just below him at fifth. His only career loss came against Merab Dvalishvili 21-5-0 in a January 2025 title fight. Nurmagomedov has since won two straight fights heading into this significant test.
Yan Xiaonan 19-5-0 meets Denise Gomes 12-3-0 in a notable women’s strawweight bout on the main card. Aoriqileng 22-11-0 faces promotional newcomer Kai Asakura 21-6-0 in an intriguing bantamweight matchup as well. Several Chinese fighters feature prominently across this deep and competitive lineup. Levi Rodrigues Jr 5-1-0 also meets Ce Liu 2-1-0 in a notable light heavyweight bout.
Rest of the Main Card and Prelims
The preliminary card features eight additional fights across multiple weight classes. Notable matchups include Jack Jenkins 14-4-0 against Sean Woodson 13-2-1 at featherweight on the undercard. Rei Tsuruya 11-1-0 also meets Kevin Borjas 11-5-0 in a flyweight bout worth watching closely. Several other Chinese prospects round out an already deep preliminary lineup.
Long Xiao 27-11-0 faces Francesco Nuzzi 9-2-0 in a notable bantamweight matchup on the preliminary card. Bilal Hasan 9-0-0 meets Nilson Rojas 9-0-0 in another intriguing flyweight bout on that same undercard. Jingnan Xiong 18-3-0 also takes on Julia Polastri 14-6-0 in a women’s strawweight contest. These matchups add real depth to an already competitive early portion of the event.
That depth reflects the promotion’s continued investment in building talent across the region. Fans should expect competitive action from the opening prelim through the featured main event. Several prospects on this card could emerge as future contenders within their divisions.
Weight class variety across the full card also gives fans plenty to watch throughout. From flyweight through light heavyweight, nearly every division gets representation this weekend. That breadth makes UFC Shanghai one of the more well rounded international cards this year.
Predicted Results
Nurmagomedov should lean on wrestling and grappling pressure against Yadong Saturday morning. His only loss came against an elite Dagestani champion, and he has rebounded well since. Expect Nurmagomedov to control key exchanges and win by clear decision. Yan Xiaonan likely uses her championship experience to outpoint Gomes on the scorecards.
Aoriqileng brings size and pressure that could trouble the newcomer Asakura early on. Perez 25-10-0 should rely on volume striking to control his flyweight matchup against Sumudaerji 11-5-0. Most main card fights project as competitive, closely contested bouts on paper.
Rodrigues Jr enters as the more experienced fighter in his light heavyweight matchup with Liu. His size and durability should help him control range against a smaller opponent. Expect several prelim fights to produce finishes given the aggressive styles involved throughout. Overall, this card should deliver consistent action from the opening bell through the main event.
When and where does UFC Shanghai take place?
UFC Shanghai takes place Saturday, August 29 at Shanghai Oriental Sports Center. The event marks the promotion’s return to China for another international card. Fans can stream the entire event live on Paramount Plus that morning.
Who headlines the UFC Shanghai main event?
Umar Nurmagomedov headlines against Song Yadong in a significant bantamweight matchup. Nurmagomedov enters ranked third, just ahead of Yadong at fifth in the division. Both men enter with real momentum heading into this pivotal contest.
How many fights are on the UFC Shanghai card?
The card features thirteen total fights across the main card and preliminary bouts. Five fights make up the featured main card broadcast on Paramount Plus. The remaining eight fights round out an already deep preliminary lineup.
Conclusion
UFC Shanghai fight card and predictions point toward a genuinely competitive international event. Nurmagomedov enters as the deserving favorite in a crucial bantamweight main event. The surrounding card offers real depth across multiple weight classes and storylines. Fans can expect a complete night of action from Shanghai this weekend.
