Well, it surely looks like pairing Tony with Dana White ahead of UFC Shanghai, headlined by Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang, provided the ideal balance of entertainment and hype as the promotion returned to China for the first time since the pandemic. However, unlike the positive reaction to the collaboration, not everything went the UFC’s way, as the event did suffer some major hiccups.
Dana White forced to change weight category for major UFC Shanghai fight
Dana White’s collaboration with Tony created a nice buzz, but there were some difficult moments at the weigh-ins. Fans expected clean results before the UFC’s return to China for the first time since the pandemic, but the co-main event took an unexpected turn. What was supposed to be a featherweight battle between Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling is now officially a catchweight bout at 153 pounds.
Though the UFC or Dana White did not provide an official explanation, the tweak occurred in response to worries that Ortega was struggling with his weight cut to 146 pounds. Rather than risk a cancellation, the promotion acted swiftly to change the terms, with both Ortega and Sterling weighing 153 pounds to keep the event alive.
It’s not the smooth path either fighter hoped for, but the move assures fans get their much-anticipated five-round co-main event. The stakes remain high. Ortega is determined to recover from his loss to Diego Lopes, while Sterling seeks redemption after a tight defeat to Movsar Evloev in December 2024.
Now that the weight issue has been resolved, both men have the opportunity to silence doubts under the bright lights of Shanghai. The shift in weight might have shaken the buildup, but the fire behind Ortega vs. Sterling is far from over.
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