UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang (also known as UFC Fight Night 257 and UFC on ESPN+ 115) was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on August 23, 2025, at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China.[2]
Background
The event marked the promotion's second visit to Shanghai and first since UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum in November 2017. It was also the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the UFC has returned to Mainland China.[2] The promotion was originally expected to make their return to the location at UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez in December 2023, before moving that event to Las Vegas due to undisclosed reasons.[3]
Shi Ming and Bruna Brasil were expected to meet in a women's strawweight bout at the event.[7] However, the pairing was pulled in order to serve as the featured bout of the Road to UFC Season 4 semifinals event a day earlier.[8]
A welterweight bout between Song Kenan and Kiefer Crosbie was scheduled for this event.[9] However, Song withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Taiyilake Nueraji.[10]
In addition, a middleweight bout between Michel Pereira and Marco Tulio was also scheduled for this event.[11] However, Tulio withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by returning veteran Kyle Daukaus.[10]
