Alright, Fight Bananas family, buckle up for some “Action in Asia”! Yeah, that was corny, but I don’t care—it’s almost the weekend, and we’ve got violence on deck! We’re headed to Shanghai, where the UFC is pushing hard to conquer the Asian market. While this card features some names fans may not know well, I’ve picked my three favorite fights to break down. I’ll also list the rest of the card below to keep you locked in. Let’s dive in!

Sergei Pavlovich (19-3-0) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (14-1-0) (Heavyweight)

Not long ago, Sergei Pavlovich had fighters running scared. Fans rushed to bet on him for knockouts like it was a money glitch, as he decimated everyone in his path. That was until interim champ Tom Aspinall took his soul and knocked him out in no time at MSG. Since that loss, Pavlovich is 1-1, which sounds decent, but both fights went the full 15 minutes, and he looked gun-shy. His confidence seems shaky, and he’ll need to rediscover his fire fast to win here.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta couldn’t be more confident, a stark contrast to the giant Russian. He’s 14-1 as a pro, 7-1 in the UFC, and riding a five-fight win streak. Acosta isn’t elite in one area but quietly solid across the board, with a sharp fight IQ that lets him exploit openings. He’ll step in ready to pull off the upset. As an underdog, I’m tempted to bet on him at +205 to snag the win.

Co-Main Event: Brian Ortega (16-4-0, 1 NC) vs. Aljamain Sterling (24-5-0) (Featherweight)

FIGHTS ON! I aren’t sure how Ortega made it the scales?! But he did! So after much confusion and a trip to hospital, this fight is still going ahead! Whether it should or not is questionable, but hey that’s up to those involved. We still have our co-main event. Just up at 155 instead of 145.

So strap in, grappling fans—this one’s a treat! Many might argue this is the true main event, only slotted as co-main because the event’s in Asia and neither fighter is Asian. It’s a banger either way.

Former 135lb champ Aljo Sterling is 1-1 since moving to 145, and even in his loss to Movsar Evloev, he looked sharp. We know Aljo’s game plan: wrestle. He’ll aim to take his opponent down, secure the back, and lock in a submission. This worked great against strikers like Calvin Kattar, but this Saturday, he faces one of the UFC’s deadliest submission artists in Brian Ortega.

Ortega’s a fan favorite—or villain, depending on who you ask. Maybe it’s his pretty-boy charm, his past with Tracy Cortez, or his cocky attitude. I love the guy—anyone who gets that kind of heat is doing something right in my book. Ortega won’t shy away from the ground with Aljo, and his slick submission skills could end this in a blink. This one’s a must-watch.

Main Event: Johnny Walker (21-9-0, 1 NC) vs. Zhang Mingyang (19-6-0) (Light Heavyweight)

While it lasts, this one’s going to be a blast. These two light heavyweights match up perfectly—both are huge for the weight, with Walker holding a 4-inch height advantage, which is wild since Zhang Mingyang is massive.

Together, they have an insane 38 pro wins by knockout or submission. I don’t have the stats, but has there ever been a fight with two guys boasting that many finishes? Their game plan is identical: when the bell rings, they’ll charge forward, swing, and whoever lands first wins. Both carry too much power for any other outcome. If Walker had a sturdier chin, I’d give him a great shot, but with a gun to my head, I’d lean toward Zhang Mingyang landing the killer blow first.

Rest of the card:

•  Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas (Flyweight, 125 lbs)

•  Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie (Welterweight, 170 lbs)

•  Maheshate vs. Gauge Young (Lightweight, 155 lbs)

•  Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson (Flyweight, 125 lbs)

•  Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard (Lightweight, 155 lbs)

•  Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight, 185 lbs)

•  Yizha vs. Westin Wilson (Featherweight, 145 lbs)

•  Long Xiao vs. Su Young You (Bantamweight, 135 lbs)

•  Diyar Nurgozhay vs. Uran Satybaldiev (Light Heavyweight, 205 lbs)

Enjoy the violence, and let me know your picks in the Facebook/X comments!

—Phil

Phillip Dean

Phillip Dean is a seasoned combat sports journalist from England, with over 27 years of ringside experience. Phillip delivers engaging, in-depth reporting on the world of combat sports.