UFC to hold first event in mainland China since pandemic with Shanghai fight
The top MMA promotion has poured resources into developing the China market and has a multimillion-dollar performance institute in Shanghai.
But its ambitions were hampered by the tight travel and quarantine restrictions of China's zero-Covid era, which led to the cancellation of most international sports events in the country until the policies were lifted at the end of 2022.
A planned Shanghai Fight Night in December the following year was relocated less than a month beforehand to Las Vegas because of 'logistical issues'.
Kevin Chang, UFC's head in Asia, said this year's event will take place on August 23.
The Octagon returns to Shanghai! 👋 #UFCShanghai & the #RTU4 semifinals are headed to China! pic.twitter.com/AbbZvo1s3n
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2025
'This promises to be an action-packed weekend that will showcase both the city and our sport, and China power, to the world,' he told a press conference.
UFC held a Fight Night in semi-autonomous Macau in November, but its last event in mainland China was in 2019 in Shenzhen.
However, it has maintained a presence in the country through its performance institute, which was opened in 2019 to develop Asian mixed martial artists.
The centre has a partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee.
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