UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang full card, odds, start time, how to watch

The UFC's August schedule is capped with an international trip to China for a Fight Night installment featuring former champions, title challengers, and contenders working their way up the title ladder in their respective ways.

The main event couldn't be any more important. Brazil's Johnny Walker enters enemy territory in a five-round light heavyweight contest opposite Mingyang Zhang, with a possible viral finish in play. Zhang (19-6 MMA) is off to a fast start, as he has burst onto the UFC scene with three stoppage-victories. His most recent came in April against the now-retired Anthony Smith (37-21 MMA) in Kansas City, arguably Zhang's most complete performance.

Meanwhile, Walker (21-9,1 NC MMA) is attempting to avoid dropping to .500 in the UFC, as he has lost four of his last eight fights and recently suffered back-to-back losses against Volkan Oezdemir (20-8 MMA) and current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA). His last victory came in May 2023 against Smith, which was part of a three-fight winning streak at the time.

The co-headliner underwent an unforeseen turn of events, as former UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling (24-5 MMA) and ex-UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega (16-4 MMA) agreed to meet at a catchweight of 153 pounds instead of the traditional featherweight 145-pound limit after weight complications from Ortega forced the fight's adjustment. The fight remains a five-rounder if need be, as is the main event.

Given the event is in China, fans in the U.S. will be treated to a non-traditional start time for the entire 12-fight card. The prelims get underway at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT, followed by the main card at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT.

Below are the current DraftKings Sportsbook betting odds, as of Friday morning. They are subject to change as the event draws closer.

Sterling gets a co-main event slo — Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Aljamain Sterling during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

UFC Shanghai Full Card + Odds

Main card (Start time 6 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

Main Event: Johnny Walker (+280) vs. Mingyang Zhang (-355), light heavyweight (five rounds, non-title)
Co-Main Event: Brian Ortega (+300) vs. Aljamain Sterling (-380), catchweight – 153 pounds (five rounds)
Sergei Pavlovich (-265) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+215), heavyweight
Su Mudaerji (-175) vs. Kevin Borjas (+145), flyweight
Taiyilake Nueraji (-470) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (+360), welterweight

Johnny Walker is back to spring an upse — Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Johnny Walker (blue gloves) enters the arena before the fight against Paul Craig (red gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-Imagn Images | Jason da Silva-Imagn Images

Preliminary card (Start time 3 a.m. ET, ESPN+)

Featured Prelim: Maheshate Hayisaer (+105) vs. Gauge Young (-125), lightweight
Lone’er Kavanagh (-218) vs. Charles Johnson (+180), flyweight
Rong Zhu (-265) vs. Austin Hubbard (+215), lightweight
Michel Pereira (-270) vs. Kyle Daukaus (+220), middleweight
Yi Zha (-1200) vs. Westin Wilson (+750), featherweight
Xiao Long (+100) vs. Su Young You (-120), bantamweight
Uran Satybaldiev (-142) vs. Diyar Nurgozhay (+120), light heavyweight

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