UFC Shanghai Staff Picks: Chinese Star Takes Center Stage In Main Event
UFC Shanghai happens Saturday morning. Our staff picks are in. Find out who we chose:
Taking the SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center by storm this Saturday, UFC Shanghai showcases the cream of the crop of the promotion’s bantamweight class, with Russian phenom Umar Nurmagomedov battling Chinese star Song Yadong. In the co-main event, strawweight standouts Yan Xiaonan and Denise Gomes return after long lay-offs to continue their ascensions towards the title.
UFC Shanghai Main Event
In the wake of his first professional setback to then champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311 last year, Nurmagomedov has gotten back track in a big way with two wins in a row, besting Mario Bautista and previous flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo. With a victory in the main event of UFC Shanghai, the American Kickboxing Academy representative will be utterly undeniable for a chance at competing for the belt earlier next year.
Joining the company in 2017, Song has consistently performed well on the big stage, compiling notable triumphs over Marlon Vera, Marlon Moraes, and Henry Cejudo. Taking top billing for a card taking place in his home country of China, “The Kung Fu Kid” is seeking to rile the native crowd with the biggest win of his career on Saturday.
UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Being out of the Octagon since April 2025, Yan is coming off a disappointing loss to former title challenger Virna Jandiroba at UFC 314. Putting the hand wraps on after a lengthy time away from competition, “Nine” is on a mission to earn her way to a championship matchup after losing her last attempt two years ago at UFC 300.
Winner of four straight contests, Gomes is also jumping back into the fray after nearly a year outside the cage. Eager to shave off the rust at the expense of her opponent, “Dee” can position herself nicely in the championship conversation should she manage to trounce Yan in eye-opening fashion.
More Bouts On the UFC Shanghai Main Card
Rounding out the main card, Aori Qileng faces RIZIN veteran Kai Asakura. Then, Su Mudaerji locks horns with Alex Perez. Also, Liu Ce goes toe-to-toe with Levi Rodrigues Jr. Finally, Contender Series star Bilal Hasan makes his organizational debut against Nilson Rojas.
UFC Shanghai Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
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UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
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PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.
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ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our UFC Shanghai picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 120:
1. Hank Strandberg: 152-71
2. Frazer Krohn: 124-89
3. Drew Zuhosky: 112-113
4. Andrew Benjamin: 27-23
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Bilal Hasan -800
Vs.
Nilson Rojas +561
FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Hasan by First-Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Hasan by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Hasan by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Hasan by Second-Round Knockout
Staff picking Hasan: 4
Staff picking Rojas: 0
Ce Liu -185
Vs.
Levi Rodrigues Jr. +161
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Rodrigues Jr. by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Rodrigues Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Liu by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Rodrigues Jr. by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Liu: 1
Staff picking Rodrigues Jr.: 3
Su Mudaerji -215
Vs.
Alex Perez +183
FLYWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Mudaerji by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Perez by First-Round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Mudaerji by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Perez by Split Decision
Staff picking Mudaerji: 2
Staff picking Perez: 2
Kai Asakura -470
Vs.
Aori Qileng +364
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Asakura by First-Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Asakura by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Asakura by Second-Round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Asakura by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Asakura: 4
Staff picking Aori: 0
Yan Xiaonan -149
Vs.
Denise Gomes +129
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Yan by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Yan by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Yan by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Yan by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Yan: 4
Staff picking Gomes: 0
Umar Nurmagomedov -600
Vs.
Song Yadong +425
BANTAMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Song by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 3
Staff picking Song: 1
