The UFC keeps rolling on, refusing to wait for us all to pick up the pieces of the UFC 319 aftermath. It was one heck of an event, filled to the brim with insane finishes and shocking upsets.

UFC Fight Night 257 can’t possibly provide a worthy encore, but it will certainly try. We have a fun headliner with Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang capping the night in the main event, while other big names like Brian Ortega, Aljamain Sterling, and more grace the card.

If last week provided the fireworks, perhaps UFC on ESPN+ 115 will bring some theatrics. Regardless, we’re in for a treat, and the solid matchups could give way to some nice UFC picks. If you’re looking for help in the betting department, I’ve got you covered. Join me for a look at the latest UFC on ESPN+ odds, as well as my top betting picks for this week’s event.

Where To Watch UFC on ESPN+ 115?

UFC on ESPN+ 115 can be viewed on ESPN+, with both the Prelims and the main card available on the channel.

When Is UFC on ESPN+ 115?

UFC Fight Night 257 will fire off on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025. The Prelims start at 3:00 pm ET, while the main card will begin at 6:00 pm EST.

Where Is UFC on ESPN+ 115?

If you want to attend UFC Fight Night 257 in person, head to China. This week’s big event is in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

UFC Fight Night Main Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC Fight Night odds for the Main Card, courtesy of the top sports betting sites: 

The UFC Fight Night 257 main card odds aren’t anything too crazy. Zhang Mingyang is a sizable favorite to take out Johnny Walker and Taiyilake is a similar -400 favorite, but that’s about it.

The other three fights on the main card are reasonably priced, so no matter which way you go, the odds look plenty appealing. Aljamain Sterling is a fun -255 betting favorite, but the nostalgia in me will find it difficult to run from a Brian Ortega at +215.

Value is the name of the game on the main card, and you have my picks ready to rock in the table above. Read on for more analysis for each bet, or check out the best handicappers available online for extra assistance.

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UFC on ESPN+ 115 Predictions For The Main Card

The main card for UFC on ESPN+ 115 begins at 6:00 pm EST.

Zhang Mingyang (-400) vs. Johnny Walker (+300)

The main event has Zhang Mingyang (19-6) as the likely winner, as the 27-year old is six years younger than his opponent and red hot at the moment. Mingyang has been an absolute force in the UFC so far, going on a 4-0 tear with each win coming via knockout.

Mingyang hasn’t lost since 2019 and brings a staggering 13 KOs (not to mention six submissions) into play, while every single one of his wins has come via finish.

The downside? Mingyang’s experience against top shelf competition is admittedly limited. He’s passed every test with flying colors to this point, but his losses have been pretty bad (five of six have come via stoppage), and he gives up a staggering 6.5 inches in reach to Johnny Walker.

Walker (21-9) doesn’t have an imposing record on paper and he’s the older fighter, but that reach advantage is something. He’s also got way more experience inside the Octagon and with 16 career KOs, has every but the power and finishing ability of his opponent.

Of course, we haven’t seen it consistently in some time. I do think the experience+power+reach keeps him in play as a +300 upset play, but he’s the one that’s been getting slapped around lately. That may very well happen again this weekend.

Bet: Zhang Mingyang (-400)

Aljamain Sterling (-255) vs. Brian Ortega (+215)

I’ve always been a fan of Brian Ortega (16-4). The dude is tough as nails, has good defense, can strike with most fighters, and is a terror on the mat (8 submissions). He has many paths to win here, and I tend to give him a break for his recent struggles.

If we simply look at Brian Ortega’s record of late (2-4 over his last six fights), then sure, he could come off as washed. He is 34 years old, after all, and got KO’d twice over that span. He also went the distance with Diego Lopes and Alexander Volanovski in recent fights, and even submitted Yair Rodrgiuez.

Against Sterling he should have the striking edge, and given his submission chops, is a lethal threat to counter if the fight goes to the ground. Sterling (24-5) is also two years older and could be slipping after going 1-2 over his last three fights.

There is a path to redemption for both of these guys, but I slightly lean toward Ortega. When it comes to close calls or toss ups, always go with the value. All things considered, Ortega is an easy bet at his +215 odds.

Bet: Brian Ortega (+215)

Sergei Povlovich (-210) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+180)

We could get even more value in this next fight, as Waldo Cortes-Acosta (14-1) is a pretty interesting underdog against Sergei Povlovich (19-3).

Both guys come in with terrific records, but Cortes-Acosta has inflicted much more damage on his opponents and he’s proven to be a very tough out with no losses by stoppage. He’s also handled the jump to the UFC swimmingly, going 7-1 since 2022.

Cortes-Acosta’s resume sports some solid names, too. He’s coming off a well-earned Decision win over Sergei Spivac, he KO’d Ryan Spann the fight before that, and he’s now won five fights in a row.

The big drawback in trusting Waldo is the fact that his KO power isn’t very reliable. He has six knockouts to his name, but that’s a pretty “meh” number out of 14 victories. He also loses a whopping six inches in reach to his opponent, who happens to match or exceed him in every major metric.

I like Cortes-Acosta’s price, but Povlovich is the flat out more lethal fighter (15 knockout wins) and his only losses have come against legit studs. He feels like the easy call.

Bet: Sergei Povlovich (-210)

Su Mudaerji (-155) vs. Kevin Borjas (+135)

They might as well call him Su Murder (17-7). Or maybe someone will sue him for murder. I don’t know, but the dude has 13 knockouts to his name and has never been KO’d himself, so we know he has upside.

Of course, it really hasn’t translated into the UFC. In addition, he’s been crazy vulnerable on the ground, where he’s been submitted an astonishing six times. He does have a four-inch reach advantage and will be fighting at home in his own country.

Kevin Borjas (10-3) has less overall experience than his opponent, but he is two years younger and has inflicted more damage on average (5.10 significant strikes landed per minute). He has eight career KOs, too, but he has zero upside on the ground when it comes to scoring a submission.

Seeing as that has been Mudaerji’s lone weakness to this point, I find it hard to go away from the China native. Truth be told, he jumps out as a screaming value, all things considered.

Bet: Su Mudaerji (-155)

Taiyilake Nueragji (-400) vs. Kiefer Crosbie (+300)

I don’t pretend to know a lot about Taiyilake Nueragji (11-1). What I can tell you, however, is that he has a strong record, he’s very young at age 24, he sports a five-inch reach advantage in this fight, and he beats the living hell out of people.

The man has 10 KOs in 11 wins and he constantly looks for the finish. He is nimble, athletic, and remarkably fluid. Has he gone up against amazing competition? No, but he’s looked pretty awesome no matter who he has faced.

Godspeed, Kiefer Crosbie (10-5). Crosbie could opt to make a name for himself (and make you money as a +300 dog), but he simply isn’t the same devastating finisher Taiyilake Nueragji has proven to be. He has a little more experience and has displayed some versatility, but he’s also 0-2 in the UFC and has been finished four times.

Now 34 years old, this just doesn’t feel like the spot for Crosbie to suddenly turn back the clock and defy a rising prospect. I’m taking Taiyilake Nueragji all day and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t get a KO.

Bet: Taiyilake Nueragji (-400)

UFC Fight Night Preliminary Card Odds

Check out the latest UFC Fight Night odds for the Preliminary Card.

The Prelims have some wild pricing at first glance, but things even out after the first couple of bouts. I think the Pereira vs. Daukaus odds should be a tad tighter, but the real takeaway is Yizha coming in as an absurd -1200 favorite. Even if he’s the rightful favorite, that is truly obscene.

The other fights are pretty nicely priced. It’s likely because it’s a bunch of matchups between fairly pedestrian fighters, or overseas guys most online sportsbooks don’t know anything about.

The goal here is to give you some edge to make informed picks and gain the upper hand on your favorite sports betting site. Use my predictions in the table above, or read on for some extra analysis for each bet.

UFC on ESPN 72 Predictions For The Preliminary Card

The UFC on ESPN+ 115 kicks off with the Prelims at 3:00 pm EST.

JMichel Pereira (-275) vs. Kyle Daukaus (+235)

This is a pretty fun fight, as Michel Pereira (31-13) brings gobs of experience to the table, as well as devastating versatility and finishing ability. The man has 20 finishes in his career, with some huge wins coming not that long ago against Ihor Potiera, Michel Oleksiejzcuk, and others.

Things haven’t gone as well recently, as Pereira has dropped two straight, with one being a KO loss to Anthony Hernandez in 2024. The insane activity, power, and skills put the 31-year old in play to bounce-back and get his 32nd career win, though.

Kyle Daukaus (15-4) is not an easy draw, as he has three inches on Pereira in reach and two more in height. That could be meaningful, as Daukauas is even more deadly (11 submissions) on the ground and is in top form, riding a four-fight winning streak.

I do think that streak is about to end, though. Pereira will have to figure out the reach issue, but he’s the younger and much more versatile fighter. He needs a big bounce-back win and I think his power and tenacity can get him back on track.

Bet: Michel Pereira (-275)

Yizha (-1200) vs. Westin Wilson (+700)

This fight has gross odds, as Yizha (25-5) is an overwhelming favorite to take down Westin Wilson (17-9). Yizha comes in with 19 career wins by stoppage, with 13 coming via submission. He is a real problem and has been solid inside the UFC (5-2), but he did drop a Decision to Gabriel Santos last time out.

The finishing ability has been touch and go in the UFC, too. He still has three submissions under the UFC banner, but is just 2-2 in fights where he doesn’t make someone tap out. That would be troubling news against a great defensive wrestler, but Westin Wilson has four submission losses and has also been KO’d three times.

To his credit, Wilson is pretty crafty on the mat (12 submissions), so it’s not like Yizha getting this to the ground is a locked in win. That keeps Wilson in play as a YOLO underdog, but I think his record speaks for itself in that Yizha has a clear path to icing this thing on the ground.

I’m not actually betting on Yizha with this -1200 moneyline, though. He’s the straight up pick, but the only real bets are for this fight to finish inside the distance, or betting on a KO or submission win (or taking Wilson). The smart money is on Yizha to get a submission.

Bet: Yizha (-1200)

Gauge Young (-130) vs. Hayisaer Maheshate (+110)

This is a really tough fight to pick. For that reason alone – and the fact that there isn’t insane value on either side – I would probably avoid it. That said, Gauge Young (9-3) opens as the light favorite, as he does have far better striking numbers than his opponent.

Hayisaer Maheshate (10-4) has the slightly better record and a 1.5-inch reach advantage, but grades out as the weaker fighter overall. Gauge (6 KOs) is a knockout threat with a stone cold chin to this point, but we didn’t see his power in a Decision loss to Evan Elder in his UFC debut.

Maheshate’s name is a nightmare, and for that reason I’m out. Kidding aside, he offers less explosiveness in way of finishing ability, and his recent form is brutal. He’s gone just 1-3 over his last four fights, albeit against tougher competition.

See how this is tough to call? Ultimately, I am rolling with Young’s superior KO ability and general toughness. It’s not a slam dunk bet, but the value is plenty fine at -130, even though the line separating these guys is fairly thin.

Bet: Gauge Young (-130)

Rongzhu (-260) vs. Austin Hubbard (+220)

We get a lightweight clash in this one, with Rongzhu (26-6) looking to put on a show in his home country of China. He has a stellar overall record and a plethora of finishes in his back pocket (21 to be exact), offering elite striking and some ability to end fights on the floor.

He’s a bit vulnerable to submissions, himself, but he’s caught one on the chin to the point of a KO just once in 31 fights. Naturally, he grades out as the way more impactful striker and his recent form (5-1 over last six) is rock solid.

Austin Hubber (16-9) is eight years older than his opponent and doesn’t have a ton to offer here. He is traveling across the world to try to steal the upset, but he has not impressed (4-7) inside the UFC and despite 26 fights, he sports just five career KOs.

Hubbard has faced tougher competition more consistently, but Rongzhu has everything working in his favor in this one.

Bet: Rongzhu (-260)

Uran Satybaldiev (-175) vs. Diyar Nurgozhay (+150)

If you thought Hayisaer Maheshate’s name was brutal, look out. We have two challenges on our hands in Uran Satybaldiev (8-1) and Diyar Nurgozhay (10-1). Jokes aside, these guys don’t have a ton of experience, but they have two combined losses and 11 combined knockout wins.

This could be a fire fight, especially with both fighters eager to make a strong impression at UFC Shanghai, seeing as their UFC debuts didn’t go as planned.

You could go either way pretty easily, but I tend to side with Uran Satybaldiev. He lost his UFC debut, but unlike Diyar, he wasn’t finished. Instead, Martin Buday forced him into a Decision loss. Prior to that, six of his seven career wins ended early, and I think we could see more of that again in this bout.

Bet: Uran Satybaldiev (-175)

Lone’er Kavanaugh (-200) vs. Charles Johnson (+170)

We get a really underrated fight here, as Lone’er Kavanaugh (9-0) is hoping to stay undefeated when he takes on the veteran Charles Johnson (17-7). Johnson appears to be relegated to gatekeeper mode for this fight, as he is eight years older than his opponent.

Johnson isn’t the easiest of draws, though. He may be far older, but he has the striking edge, has way more experience, and also owns a three-inch reach advantage. Johnson has also never been finished and he’s even been in solid form – winning four of his last five fights.

Kavanaugh has five finishes to his name, but none of them have come in the UFC. This is a bigger challenge than anyone cares to admit, and I find myself digging the value with the more reliable Johnson.

It’s obviously possible Kavanaugh could develop into a special fighter, but we haven’t really seen that come to fruition yet. Until it does, I don’t mind betting on that first loss arriving a bit sooner than the odds indicate.

Bet: Charles Johnson (+170)

Suyoung You (-140) vs. Long Xiao (+120)

The last fight on the books for UFC Shanghai has Suyoung You (15-3) battling Long Xiao (27-9) in what is billed as a pretty even matchup.

You is older by two years and loses five inches in reach against Xiao, while he’s also far less experienced. He also is the far worse striker, although he has a massive edge on the ground (4.75 takedowns averaged per fight). He’s pretty versatile with some finishing ability – and so far undefeated in the UFC – although we’ve yet to see him end a fight early.

Could that come near his home country of South Korea? It’s not impossible, but he’ll be facing a guy in Xiao that is literally fighting in his own backyard. Xiao is vulnerable to some dangerous striking, but he has zero career submission losses and has proven to be the far more explosive fighter to this point.

Xiao’s UFC record (2-1) has been mixed, but everything has him shaping up to be a solid value. I do respect You’s floor game, but Xiao has more paths to success here.

Bet: Long Xiao (+120)

The Best UFC Fight Night Picks

The following is our best UFC Fight Night picks for this weekend’s event:

• Brian Ortega (+215)
• Sergei Povlovich (-210)
• Michel Pereira (-275)

The Ortega pick is partially nostalgia, to be sure. However, he and Sterling are both slowly exiting their physical primes, so it’s not like either one has the for sure upper hand. However, Ortega absolutely offers superior value as a guy who can stand and strike, but can also end this thing on the floor.

Povlovich isn’t a screaming value, but he feels like one of the safer MMA betting picks on this entire slate. Waldo Cortes-Acosta does offer some value here, but Podlovich is the far more dangerous finisher and also has an insane six-inch reach advantage.

Lastly, we have the tried and true Pereira, who isn’t an easy guy to finish. He has racked up 31 wins in 31 years and I think he’s set to bounce-back and put himself in position for one last strong run.

UFC on ESPN+ 115 Card

Check out the updated UFC Fight Night fight card: