Debut KOs steal UFC Shanghai's undercard

The UFC's early-morning trip to Shanghai turned into a showcase for newcomers, with Contender Series flyer Bilal Hasan and two other debutants scoring highlight knockouts while the home Chinese fighters were routed on their own card. Away from the Octagon, Dana White finally addressed the Tom Aspinall exit chatter, and Marlon Moraes ended a seven-year winless drought back home in Brazil.

Bilal Hasan cashes in the hype with one-punch KO in UFC debut

Eighteen days after winning a UFC contract on the Contender Series, flyweight Bilal Hasan opened the UFC Shanghai main card and knocked out fellow unbeaten Nilson Rojas with a straight right at 2:28 of Round 2. Hasan, who walked out to Billie Jean and hit Michael Jackson moves on what would have been Jackson's 68th birthday, moved to 10-0 with eight knockouts and called out Andre Lima, who had submitted Namsrai Batbayar earlier on the card.

Why it matters: The flyweight division has been starved for fresh faces, and the UFC just found a marketable 25-year-old finisher who backs up the showmanship. Hasan is the second quick DWCS turnaround (after Anthony Wint) the promotion has fast-tracked this year.

Julia Polastri head-kicks ONE legend Xiong Jingnan to 0-2 in the UFC

Julia Polastri stiffened former ONE strawweight queen Xiong Jingnan with a flush right head kick at 3:06 of Round 1 on the Shanghai prelims, the Brazilian setting the finish up by feinting punches to draw Xiong's head into the strike. Xiong, a 19-4 signing who arrived from ONE with title hype, has now lost both UFC outings (to Angela Hill and Polastri). Because both women missed weight, Polastri's highlight KO was ineligible for a performance bonus.

Why it matters: One of the most decorated fighters ONE ever produced looks like a roster casualty at 38, another cautionary tale about crossover stars aging out. Polastri, meanwhile, delivered one of the nastiest women's KOs the UFC has seen.

Home fighters routed as debutants and prospects light up UFC Shanghai prelims

Chinese fighters went winless early on their home card, dropping the opening bouts as visitors piled up finishes. Ex-kickboxer Hector Santiago knocked out Lawrence Lui in his UFC debut (R2), K-1 champ Liu Ce blasted Levi Rodrigues Jr. with a first-round right hook in his debut, and Italian prospect Francesco Nuzzi stopped Xiao Long in 60 seconds — a finish marred when referee Herb Dean nearly let the dazed Xiao stumble out the cage door. Road to UFC standout Rei Tsuruya also submitted Kevin Borjas for his third straight UFC win.

Why it matters: The UFC keeps stocking these regional cards with imports built to win, and Shanghai showed the depth of incoming talent — Tsuruya and Santiago in particular look ready for step-ups. Herb Dean's post-stoppage lapse adds to a rough recent stretch for the veteran official.

Dana White shrugs off Aspinall exit talk, says champ fights 'when he's healthy'

Responding for the first time to the coach-fueled rumor that Tom Aspinall wants out of the UFC, Dana White said the heavyweight champion is 'not going anywhere' and dismissed striking coach Stipe Drvis's comments as untrue. White reiterated Aspinall will return whenever his eye injury clears and downplayed any friction over Aspinall's new manager Eddie Hearn, noting Ian Machado Garry shares the same representation. A Gane unification bout would likely land at UFC 334 in November or UFC 335 in December.

Why it matters: The heavyweight picture stays frozen until Aspinall is cleared, and Gane's interim belt keeps gathering dust. White's public reassurance is aimed at cooling a standoff that has simmered since the Hearn signing.

Marlon Moraes snaps seven-year winless run in Sao Paulo return

Former WSOF champion and UFC title challenger Marlon Moraes won a mixed martial arts fight for the first time since 2019, grinding out a unanimous decision over 14-15 journeyman Maximiliano Perez under the Liga Monstro Combate banner in Sao Paulo. The victory ends a brutal skid — seven straight losses across his UFC exit and a PFL run — that had prompted two prior retirements. Some cageside suggested the 38-year-old may now walk away for a third time.

Why it matters: A dignified footnote for a fighter who was once a top-five bantamweight and one of the sport's best kickers. Whether he retires or not, it's a rare feel-good result for a name diehards remember from his WSOF and PRIDE-adjacent peak.

Glover Teixeira says Shogun boxing match won't be his last

Ahead of boxing Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua in a battle of former UFC light heavyweight champions atop Spaten Fight Night 3 in Sao Paulo, Glover Teixeira said he doesn't intend to make it one-and-done, joking he'd like 'easier' bouts against influencers next. Rua has said he'll retire after the eight-round clash; the pair, who retired on the same UFC night in January 2023, are meeting years after a proposed MMA fight fell through.

Why it matters: A nostalgia headliner for Brazilian TV rather than a sporting event, but it keeps two beloved 205-pound greats in the spotlight — and signals Teixeira, nearly 47, sees a second act in the celebrity-boxing circuit.

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