Last night (Sat., Aug. 23, 2025), the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held an event at Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China, known as UFC Shanghai. The UFC’s occasional ventures into Asia are always enjoyable; the “Fight Night” events in this region tend to have a unique atmosphere, featuring a compelling main card alongside emerging talent. This particular event was notable due to Brian Ortega’s mysterious absence at weigh-ins and his dramatic comeback, which shifted focus to the co-main event.
Let’s reflect on the key performances and strategies showcased during the evening:
Johnny Walker Breaks Brazilian Streak
Interestingly, no Brazilian fighter in the UFC had won a main event this year until Johnny Walker stepped up to the challenge.
The fight started on shaky ground for Walker, who attempted a surprising double leg takedown against Zhang Mingyang, but was met with a strong defensive sprawl. Mingyang quickly established himself with effective elbow strikes, showcasing his skill set immediately.
Following a series of heavy punches from Mingyang that moved Walker, the Brazilian found his rhythm. He began inflicting strong kicks to Mingyang’s lead leg, forcing his opponent into a defensive posture. Eventually, a well-timed calf kick hit Mingyang’s peroneal nerve, and he went down in pain, allowing Walker to gain dominant positioning and deliver decisive ground strikes.
With Mingyang unable to recover, Walker secured the finish shortly thereafter, further establishing his place in the light heavyweight division.
Sterling vs. Ortega Falls Short of Expectations
This matchup was the most anticipated on the card, yet it resulted in a lackluster bout, with both grapplers showing low output in their striking exchange, leaving fans unimpressed.
Sterling’s jab became a crucial asset, consistently landing on Ortega, who appeared sluggish and slow to react. Despite having the opportunity to push the pace, Sterling opted for a more conservative approach, allowing Ortega to recover at critical moments.
Recognizing Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson is a highly skilled Flyweight, yet many fans may not acknowledge his talent.
Despite a challenging start to his UFC career, he has transformed himself into an impressive competitor, achieving five wins in six fights since early 2024. His recent victory over Lone’er Kavanagh showcased his resilience and striking skill.
Kyle Daukaus Makes a Strong Comeback
After experiencing the frustration of being cut from the UFC, Kyle Daukaus demonstrated exceptional perseverance by returning to the Octagon and delivering a swift knockout against Michel Pereira in just 43 seconds.
For comprehensive results and play-by-play of UFC Shanghai, click here.
