UFC Shanghai went down yesterday (Sat., Aug. 29, 2026) inside Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China, which featured a Bantamweight bout that saw Song Yadong score a knockout win over Umar Nurmagomedov (highlights here). In the co-main event of the evening, Denise Gomes brutally knocked out Yan Xiaonan in a women’s Strawweight bout (see it again here), while Kai Asakura defeated Aoriqileng, also via knockout (highlights).
Who He Should Face Next: Mario Bautista
Yadong will crash the Top 5 after his epic upset win over Nurmagomedov, so he could be one more big win away from a title fight. At the moment, Sean O’ Malley is sitting at No. 3, which means he will likely face the winner of Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3. Sitting in the No. 4 spot is Mario Bautista, who is on a two-fight win streak and 10-1 0ver his last 11 fights. He was last seen defeating Cory Sandhagen last month, so a showdown between Yadong and Bautista makes a lot of sense.
Who He Should Face Next: Tatiana Suarez
Gomes likely punched her ticket to the Top 5 following her huge stoppage win over Yan Xiaonan, which means she should take her No. 4 spot. That’s why a fight against Suarez (No. 3) seems about right to see who can take a next big step toward the title shot. Suarez is currently on a two-fight win streak and was last seen defeating Loopy Godinez at UFC 327.
Who He Should Face Next: Bryce Mitchell
After two straight losses to start his UFC career, Asakura has turned it around with two straight wins, with his latest coming via knockout over Aori Qileng via knockout (see it here). The move back up to Bantamweight has proven to be the right choice, and he could very well crack the Top 15 come next week. That said, I can see Asakura go for his third straight win of the year, and trying to do it against Mitchell will help his stock rise. Mitchell is also on a two-fight win streak and most recently submitted Santiago Luna this past June. If Asakura ca get an impressive finish over “Thug Nasty,” a spot in the Top 10 could be in his near future.
Who He Should Face Next: Alessandro Costa
Sumudaerji is now unbeaten in his last five fights after defeating Alex Perez via unanimous decision, getting him one step closer to the Top 10 in the Flyweight division. Costa is another surging 125-pound fighter jockeying for position in the Top 15 of the division, winning his last three fights. I wouldn’t mind seeing these two talented 125-pounders get it on to see who can make a case for a nice boost in his stock.
Who Should Face Next: Ibo Aslan
Ce has himself an exceptional UFC debut by defeating Levi Rodrigues Jr. via first-round knockout. All four of his wins have come by KO/TKO, so he is a welcomed addition to the 205-pound weight class, but slow and steady is the name of the game for the 29 year-old Chinese brawler. A decent matchup for him would be someone like Aslan. He is currently on a three-fight losing streak after kicking off his UFC career with two straight wins. Aslan has faced some decent competition during his skid, but if he can’t get a win over a newbie like Ce, then he will earn his one-way ticket out of the promotion. For Ce, a fight against Aslan offers a good measuring stick despite his woes.
Who He Should Face Next: Andre Lima
Hasan impressed in his UFC debut by locking down a second-round knockout win over Nilson Rojas (see it here), moving him to 10-0 as a pro. Up next, a step up in competition against is in order. And that is just what he is looking at after calling out Lima to a fight. Lima also competed at the event, defeating Namsrai Batbayar via third-round submission in the featured “prelim” bout. It’s actually a pretty decent matchup featuring two strikers who love nothing more than to stand and bang.
For complete UFC Shanghai results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.