Excerpt: UFC returns to Shanghai, China, on August 29, 2026, with a major bantamweight showdown between Song Yadong and Umar Nurmagomedov headlining a 13-fight card.
UFC returns to Shanghai, China, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with Song Yadong vs. Umar Nurmagomedov at the top of the card.
The bantamweight main event brings together two highly ranked contenders as the UFC continues its international schedule at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium.
Nurmagomedov enters the matchup as one of the leading fighters in the division, while Song gets a major opportunity in front of a home-country crowd.
The UFC lists the main card for 5:00 AM GMT-5, with the preliminary card beginning at 2:00 AM GMT-5.
Who Is Fighting In The UFC Shanghai Main Event?
The UFC Shanghai main event features Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong in a bantamweight bout.
UFC’s official event listing has Nurmagomedov ranked No. 3 and Song ranked No. 6 heading into the matchup.
Nurmagomedov has established himself among the division’s leading contenders with his grappling, control and technical approach. However, Song brings significant UFC experience, knockout power and the added storyline of competing in China.
For both fighters, the matchup represents an important opportunity in the UFC bantamweight title picture.
What Is The UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event?
China’s Yan Xiaonan faces Brazil’s Denise Gomes in the women’s strawweight co-main event.
Yan enters the fight ranked No. 4 in the UFC’s official event listing, while Gomes is ranked No. 14.
The matchup gives Yan another chance to strengthen her position near the top of the strawweight division while Gomes receives one of the biggest opportunities of her UFC career.
What Is The UFC Shanghai Main Card?
The UFC Shanghai main card features six fights.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
Division: Bantamweight
Umar Nurmagomedov faces Song Yadong in the five-round main event.
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes
Division: Women’s Strawweight
Yan Xiaonan meets Denise Gomes in the co-main event.
Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura
Division: Bantamweight
China’s Aoriqileng takes on former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura of Japan.
Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji
Division: Flyweight
Former UFC title challenger Alex Perez meets China’s Sumudaerji in another important flyweight matchup.
Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Division: Light Heavyweight
China’s Liu Ce faces Brazilian light heavyweight Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas
Division: Flyweight
Bilal Hasan of Indonesia meets Peru’s Nilson Rojas to complete the main card.
Who Is Fighting On The UFC Shanghai Prelims?
Seven additional fights are scheduled for the preliminary card.
Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima
Division: Flyweight
Namsrai Batbayar faces Brazil’s Andre Lima.
Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas
Division: Flyweight
Japan’s Rei Tsuruya meets Peru’s Kevin Borjas.
Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson
Division: Featherweight
Australian featherweight Jack Jenkins faces American Sean Woodson.
Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi
Division: Bantamweight
China’s Xiao Long takes on Italy’s Francesco Nuzzi.
Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago
Division: Bantamweight
New Zealand’s Lawrence Lui faces Brazil’s Hector Santiago.
Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri
Division: Women’s Strawweight
Chinese combat sports star Xiong Jingnan meets Brazil’s Julia Polastri.
Ding Meng vs. Cam Nelson
Division: Welterweight
China’s Ding Meng faces Canadian Cam Nelson in the opening matchup listed on the card.
What Is The Full UFC Shanghai Fight Card?
Main Card
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Song Yadong
Bantamweight
Yan Xiaonan vs. Denise Gomes
Women’s Strawweight
Aoriqileng vs. Kai Asakura
Bantamweight
Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji
Flyweight
Liu Ce vs. Levi Rodrigues Jr.
Light Heavyweight
Bilal Hasan vs. Nilson Rojas
Flyweight
Preliminary Card
Namsrai Batbayar vs. Andre Lima
Flyweight
Rei Tsuruya vs. Kevin Borjas
Flyweight
Jack Jenkins vs. Sean Woodson
Featherweight
Xiao Long vs. Francesco Nuzzi
Bantamweight
Lawrence Lui vs. Hector Santiago
Bantamweight
Xiong Jingnan vs. Julia Polastri
Women’s Strawweight
Ding Meng vs. Cam Nelson
Welterweight
The UFC’s official listing confirms 13 bouts across the main card and preliminaries.
What Time Does UFC Shanghai Start?
UFC Shanghai takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
For viewers on GMT-5 time:
Prelims: 2:00 AM
Main Card: 5:00 AM
The UFC lists UFC Fight Pass as a viewing option for the event.
Where Is UFC Shanghai Taking Place?
The event takes place at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China.
The card features a strong group of Chinese fighters, including Song Yadong, Yan Xiaonan, Aoriqileng, Sumudaerji, Liu Ce, Xiao Long, Xiong Jingnan and Ding Meng.
That local presence gives the event a distinctly Chinese identity while also bringing several international fighters to Shanghai.
Why Does Nurmagomedov vs. Song Matter?
The bantamweight division remains one of the UFC’s deepest weight classes, which makes the Shanghai main event particularly important.
Nurmagomedov enters the event positioned near the top of the rankings, while Song remains firmly among the division’s leading contenders.
A convincing victory for either fighter could significantly strengthen his position in the championship conversation.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai card offers several other fights worth watching. Yan Xiaonan returns in a major strawweight matchup, Kai Asakura faces Aoriqileng, and former flyweight title challenger Alex Perez meets Sumudaerji.
With 13 fights scheduled and several Chinese fighters competing at home, UFC Shanghai gives the promotion another major showcase in the Asian market.
DOJO NEWS NETWORK will follow the event for additional UFC Shanghai updates and official results.
