UFC Shanghai went down on Saturday in what was an incredibly early card for the western hemisphere. In the main event, Chinese light heavyweight Zhang Mingyang received his first loss in the UFC when he was finished by Johnny Walker in the second round. In the co-main event, former featherweight title challenger, Brian Ortega, was shut out in a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Aljamain Sterling. A few ranked fighters to match off of this card as well as some guys who could be axed from the promotion.
Zhang Mingyang
Johnny Walker crumbled Zhang Mingyang on Saturday handing the “Mountain Tiger” his first loss in six years and 12 fights. Zhang, who entered the fight ranked at #14 in the division is now 3-1 within the UFC. Walker entered the fight ranked at #13. Tough loss that kills a lot of momentum for Zhang, as that would have been a massive victory and feather in his cap, in front of his home country as well.
A good next opponent for the 27-year-old light heavyweight would be against the winner of Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig.
Now this might be a bit of a head scratcher matchup, but Zhang is still young, has a solid record and plenty of time to ascend the ranks. Why rush? Paul Craig and Modestas Bukauskas are scheduled to fight on September 6th so the timing could be perfect. Craig is a nearly 10-year UFC vet with a 9-9-1, 1 NC record with the UFC. Craig moved up to light heavyweight after a three-fight skid at 185lbs, losing to big names like Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho and Bo Nickal. His most recent fight, against Rodolfo Bellato, ended in a no contest from an up kick. Bukauskas is 6-4 within the UFC and has won three of his last four fights. Modestas was last in the cage back in May when he snagged a split decision win opposite of Ion Cutelaba.
Both of these guys are seasoned vets that have had past struggles but are still respectable names. Neither are currently ranked, but who knows if Zhang will remain ranked or slip out of the updated rankings. Winner gets a ranking.
Zhang’s next fight: Winner of Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig
Brian Ortega
Aljamain Sterling outworked Brian Ortega on his way to a unanimous decision victory in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai Saturday. The story heading into the fight was Ortega’s abysmal weight cut which forced the fight to take place at a catchweight of 153lbs. With the loss, T-City falls to 8-5, 1 NC in the UFC. Ortega has lost four of his last five bouts dating to his 2021 title challenge against Alexander Volkanovski.
Ortega entered the cage on Saturday ranked at #5 within the featherweight division while his opponent was ranked at #7. Brian’s next fight should be against Aaron Pico if he decides to try and stay at featherweight. This pick is from a previous edition of losers and could still work although not nearly as practical of a matchup after Ortega’s performance. Pico looked good in his UFC debut, till he didn’t, receiving a spinning elbow from Lerone Murphy that flatlined him at UFC 319.
If Ortega elects to move up to 155lbs, a fight between the loser of Benoit Saint-Denis and Mauricio Ruffy makes a lot of sense. The pair are slated to do battle on September 6th. Benoit Saint Denis is currently ranked at #13 while Ruffy is ranked at #15. Giving Ortega the loser of this bout would make a lot of sense as both fighters have name power. Brian’s first fight at lightweight should be notable but with how shark infested the division is, the matchup can’t be completely unwarranted. Either guy offers a unique and dangerous scrap for Ortega which he always embraces.
Ortega’s next fight at 145lbs: Aaron Pico
Ortega’s next fight at 155lbs: Benoit Saint-Denis vs Mauricio Ruffy loser
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Serghei Pavlovich secured a unanimous decision victory against Waldo Cortes-Acosta on Saturday. Waldo absorbed some big shots on his way to just his second loss in his pro career. Waldo is now 7-2 within the UFC and entered the fight on Saturday ranked at #6. Serghei entered the fight ranked at #8 within the heavyweight division.
A solid next opponent for Cortes-Acosta would be Tai Tuivasa. It’s a name fans haven’t heard in a while. The big fella hasn’t competed in over a year since losing a split decision to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in August of 2024. Rozenstruik has since been released from the promotion. This has the makings to be a great banger. Tai loves to strike, Waldo has good boxing, cardio and a great chin. Definitely has the ingredients to be a wild fight. Waldo would have to wait a few months, but it could potentially make sense with the damage he took at UFC Shanghai.
Tai has lost his last five fights but against stellar competition (Ciryl Gane, Sergei Pavlovich, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura and Jairzinho Rozenstruik). This fight has main card written all over it and could even sneak into a PPV line up. Winner would likely receive a top #5-7 ranking, maybe even higher, with a finish.
Cortes-Acosta’s next fight: Tai Tuivasa
Kevin Borjas
Kevin Borjas was thrashed by Sumudaerji on the main card of UFC Shanghai Saturday, on his way to a unanimous decision defeat. With the loss the 2023 Contender Series product is now just 1-3 in the UFC. Kevin’s lone victory with the promotion came in March of this year against Ronaldo Rodriguez. However, Kevin’s debut loss has a bit of an asterisk next to it considering it was opposite the streaking Joshua Van. Needless to say, Kevin is still in a bit of a hot seat here.
All things considered, Kevin’s next fight should be against loser of Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo. That fight is pretty far out and currently scheduled for late October. Edgar Chairez is the matchup that makes the most sense, but he’s injured (they were previously scheduled to fight each other, both have 1-1 record since then). So, the loser of Azat vs Mitch will have to do. Mitch has a common opponent and outcome as he also lost a decision to Sumudaerji in April. Raposo is currently 0-2 with the UFC but both have been split decision losses. Azat is 1-2 with the UFC but his two losses are decisions against solid guys: Charles Johnson and Tagir Ulanbekov. His only win in the UFC was his debut a split decision nod against Tyson Nam. Giving Borjas the loser makes a lot of sense, and the loser of the bout would likely be cut.
Borjas’s next fight: Azat Maksum vs Mitch Raposo loser
Kiefer Crosbie
Taiyilake Nueraji took less than a round to stop Kiefer Crosbie to open the main event of UFC Shanghai on Saturday. Crosbie, a seven-fight veteran of Bellator, is now 0-3 in the UFC since being signed in 2023. Kiefer has been finished in the first round in every one of his fights (Kevin Jousset and Sam Patterson prior to Saturday). Considering it was Nueraji’s UFC debut and that Kevin has been cut by the UFC, Crosbie will likely be cut.
If Crosbie is not released from the promotion a good next opponent would be either Adam Fuggit or Billy Ray Goff. Fuggit is 2-3 within the UFC. Adam was last in action on July 19th, when Islam Dulatov took less than a round to stop him. Fuggit, like Crosbie, has also been stopped in all of his losses. Another good option would be a fight against Billy Ray Goff who is 1-2 within the UFC. Billy last fought in May and was submitted by Ramiz Brahimaj. Loser of this bout gets cut- full stop. Super competitive weight class and these guys currently are struggling to be UFC caliber.
Crosbie’s next fight: Adam Fuggit or Billy Ray Goff
