UFC Shanghai main event confirmed after three fighters miss weight

Key points

• Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong made weight at 135.5 and 136 pounds, respectively, for the five-round bantamweight main event.
• Andre Lima missed the flyweight limit by one pound, incurring a 20% purse forfeiture for his bout against Namsrai Batbayar.
• Xiong Jingnan and Julia Polastri both missed the strawweight limit, resulting in a catchweight preliminary bout.
• The event proceeds with 26 fighters across the main and preliminary cards at the Pudong Development Bank Shanghai Oriental Sports Center.

Background

This event marks the UFC's return to China. Prior coverage from our archive confirmed the weigh-in details and the main event matchup. The event follows a recent trend of smooth weigh-ins at other major cards, such as UFC 330, where no fighters missed weight.

How outlets are covering it

Sherdog and MMA Fighting both highlight the three weight misses but differ in emphasis. Sherdog notes the main event is set, while MMA Fighting calls the dual miss in the strawweight bout a 'rare mishap.' UFC.com provides the official weights and confirms the catchweight status without penalty for the strawweight bout. CBS Sports focuses on betting odds, listing Nurmagomedov as a heavy -625 favorite, and provides background on both fighters' records and recent performances.

Why it matters

The successful weigh-in of the main event ensures the headliner proceeds as scheduled, while the weight misses highlight the ongoing challenges fighters face in meeting strict weight limits, impacting bout conditions and fighter finances.

What to watch

The event will take place on August 29, 2026, with the main card starting at 6 a.m. ET on Paramount+. Viewers can expect to see the outcomes of the catchweight bouts and the main event between Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong.