UFC Fight Night Walker vs. Zhang Picks & Predictions (2025)
The UFC is travelling to Shanghai for a trio of ranked fights. The main event is at light heavyweight between Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang, and it should not last long. The co-main event is an elite matchup between Brian Ortega and Aljamain Sterling. The other ranked fight is between Sergei Pavlovich and Waldo Cortes-Acosta in the heavyweight division. The prelims start at 3 a.m. EDT and the main card at 6 a.m. from Shanghai, China.
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UFC Fight Night Walker vs. Zhang Picks & Bets (2025)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Charles Johnson (+170) vs. Lone'er Kavanagh (–205)
Lone'er Kavanagh is fighting for the third time in the UFC and is making a big leap up in competition as a 9-0 prospect. Charles Johnson is a formidable opponent who has had more success against tough competition recently. Johnson is 17-7 as a professional and has won four of his last five, including a knockout victory over Joshua Van.
Johnson is longer and gets better as the fight progresses. He is a slick striker at range, landing 4.74 significant strikes and absorbing 3.62 significant strikes per minute. Kavanagh is a solid fighter with a well-rounded game, but he is outmatched in this fight. He is a dangerous, explosive kickboxer, but Johnson is a veteran and has seen it all. I like Johnson to win this on the scorecards.
Pick: Charles Johnson (+170)
Maheshate (+110) vs. Gauge Young (-130)
Gauge Young has not fared well in the UFC, but this is a better matchup for him. Maheshate is 2-3 in the UFC after winning on Dana White's Contender Series. Young has bad defense, especially in the clinch. He is a good boxer, however. Maheshate tends to fight at range, but struggles in close range.
Neither fighter has shown wrestling in the UFC, but Young is the one I expect to wrestle. Maheshate has only defended 45% of takedowns in the UFC, and it is a hole Young can exploit. I also expect him to close the distance and pressure Maheshate.
Pick: Gauge Young (-130)
Sumudaerji (–180) vs. Kevin Borjas (+150)
Sumudaerji got a victory in his last fight over Mitch Raposo. Borjas beat Ronaldo Rodriguez his previous time out via unanimous decision. Both fighters are at similar spots in their career, with Sumudaerji having a little more experience.
Borjas offers a lot of volume on the feet. He lands 5.10 significant strikes and absorbs 5.99 significant strikes per minute. He is a solid striker who can find a groove that improves as the fight goes on. Borjas is the smaller fighter, but he has more explosiveness. Sumudaerji has solid striking at range, but lacks the power of Borjas.
Neither guy wrestles much, and I expect this fight to stay on the feet for the majority of it. It is a much more even fight than the odds suggest. Borjas is the side I want to back and offers the most value.
Pick: Kevin Borjas (+150)