Preview: Zhang Mingyang takes on Johnny Walker as UFC returns to Chinese mainland

SHANGHAI, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The UFC makes its long-awaited return to the Chinese mainland for the first time since 2019, headlined by Shanghai's Zhang Mingyang (19-6) against Brazil's Johnny Walker (21-9) in the main event.

Since Zhang Weili became China's first UFC world champion at the last Chinese mainland event in Shenzhen, MMA has surged in popularity. That growth was evident when tickets for the show at the 13,000-seat Shanghai Indoor Stadium sold out in under a minute.

In the co-main event, featherweights Brian Ortega (16-4, 1NC) and Aljamain Sterling (24-5) square off in a bout that could send the winner back into title contention. The fight was shifted to a 70kg (155lb) catchweight after Ortega failed to make the contracted 66kg (145lb) featherweight limit.

Ranked 14th at light heavyweight, Zhang is aiming to break into the top 10 and move closer to a title eliminator with a statement win. The 27-year-old is undefeated in the UFC, finishing all of his opponents inside the distance, including a first-round knockout of veteran Anthony Smith in his most recent outing.

Walker, however, represents Zhang's toughest test to date and the biggest stage of his career so far.

"Well, it's true that I'm under a lot of pressure, but I have adjusted my mind, my mentality. Now I enjoy the process and the fighting itself more. I believe that everything will come naturally to me, so I don't have too much expectation of myself. I'm just an athlete, a fighter. What I try to do is to get my job done."

Though currently on a two-fight losing streak, the rangy Brazilian owns notable wins over Khalil Rountree Jr., Paul Craig and Anthony Smith, and has gone the distance only four times in 31 fights.

Walker compared Zhang's rise to his own early run, when his knockout power carried him through opponents before Corey Anderson halted his momentum.

"I think maybe our goals aren't the same. Like after my last fight, what we did wasn't [to] go celebrate - we immediately went to review the fight video and study ourselves," the Chinese fighter told media at the pre-fight press conference.

"Maybe like he complained about, his coaching team wasn't very stable. But my coaching team is extremely stable. I think that's the difference between us."

Before the headliner, former bantamweight champion Sterling meets fourth-ranked Ortega in what promises to be a high-level grappling contest. Sterling has yet to find steady footing in the division but sees Ortega as an opportunity to move closer to coveted two-weight champion status.

The matchup was briefly in doubt when reports emerged that Ortega required medical supervision during his cut. The fight went ahead at catchweight after Sterling agreed to move up, despite successfully weighing in at the contracted limit earlier in the day.

Ortega, at the press conference, expressed doubt that a single win would put him back in line for a title shot.

"I think a very dominant win would have to be showcased, but I don't think even if let's say the best outcome comes right, I get a submission or a knockout in an impressive fashion. I don't believe based off what I'm seeing in on the rankings and how people are moving, that it's an automatic shoe in to get a belt or title run."

Elsewhere on the card, No. 3-ranked heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich (19-3) faces the Dominican Republic's Waldo Cortes-Acosta (14-1). Pavlovich, a self-confessed fan of Chinese martial arts films, will aim to put himself back in line for a rematch with champion Tom Aspinall.

The card also showcases a strong contingent of Chinese talent, with Sumudaerji, Taiyilake Nueraji, Maheshate, Rongzhu, Yizha and Xiao Long all set to compete.

On the main card, Sumudaerji - known as "The Tibetan Eagle" - faces Peru's Kevin Borjas (10-3) as he seeks to regain form, while Nueraji makes his UFC debut against Ireland's Kiefer Crosbie (10-5).

The prelims include Charles Johnson (17-7) taking on unbeaten prospect Lone'er Kavanagh (9-0), while flamboyant kickboxer Michel Pereira (31-13) meets submission specialist Kyle Daukaus (15-4). ■