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The air is getting thinner. The tension is thickening. In the heart of the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, two forces of nature are on a collision course, ready to headline a fight card that promises to deliver chaos from the first prelim to the final main event knockout. On August 23rd, 2025, the relentless, unorthodox striking of Johnny Walker meets the concussive, technical power of Zhang Weili in a light heavyweight clash that has no business going the distance.
This isn’t just another Fight Night. This is a statement card, a curated collection of violence that showcases the very best of what the UFC has to offer: rising prospects, veteran wars, and a main event that could redefine a division. Here at watchwrestling.sbs, we’re your premier destination for the deepest dives and most captivating previews. Strap in, fight fans. We’re going five rounds with this one.
Main Event Breakdown: A Clash of Titans at 205 Pounds
Johnny “The Brazilian Dream” Walker (20-8-0, 1 NC)
The enigma. The spectacle. Johnny Walker is a highlight reel personified. Standing at 6’6″ with an 82-inch reach, he is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the light heavyweight division. His journey has been a rollercoaster of devastating knockouts and frustrating inconsistencies, but when Walker is on, he is must-see TV. His unorthodox, unpredictable striking—spinning kicks, flying knees, and looping power punches—can shut the lights out in an instant. His key to victory? Chaos. He must use his length, create awkward angles, and force Zhang to fight in open space where his creativity can flourish. The question mark kick isn’t just a move for him; it’s a philosophy.
X-Factor: Can he maintain defensive discipline? Walker’s chin has been his Achilles’ heel, and he can’t afford to brawl recklessly with a power puncher like Zhang.
Zhang “Magnum” Weili (26-4-0)
The former strawweight queen, moving up two weight classes in a move that has sent shockwaves through the MMA world. Zhang Weili is not just a power puncher; she is a complete martial artist with thunderous strikes, underrated wrestling, and a deep well of toughness forged in championship battles against the likes of Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Carla Esparza. Her power is translatable, her technique is impeccable, and her confidence is at an all-time high. She is moving up to make a point. Her key to victory? Pressure and precision. She must cut off the cage, avoid the wild, long-range attacks, and work the body to slow Walker’s movement. A composed Zhang, working behind a stiff jab and powerful low kicks, can dismantle the Brazilian dream.
X-Factor: The size and weight difference. How will she handle the significant reach disadvantage and the raw power of a natural 205er? Her speed advantage could be the great equalizer.
Prediction: This fight is a pick ’em for a reason. It hinges entirely on which version of each fighter shows up. If it’s the disciplined, technical Zhang who fought Joanna the second time, she can pick Walker apart on the feet. If it’s the wild, creative Walker, he could land something insane early. I see Zhang weathering an early storm, investing in heavy body shots, and finding a home for her right hand in the third round. Zhang Weili via TKO, Round 3.
For an in-depth look at Zhang’s training camp and her decision to move up in weight, this feature from ESPN MMA is essential reading: The Method Behind Zhang Weili’s Move to Light Heavyweight
Co-Main Event: A Featherweight Scrap for the Ages
Bryce “Thug Nasty” Mitchell (16-2-0) vs. Diego “The Nightmare” Lopes (25-6-0)
If the main event is a striking chess match, the co-main is a gritty, high-level grappling war that promises to be a technical masterpiece. This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, but both men are so much more than that.
Bryce Mitchell is an American folk hero, a man who fights in camo shorts and operates with a singular, suffocating purpose: to take you down and tie you in a knot you didn’t know existed. His wrestling is relentless, his jiu-jitsu is inventive, and his confidence on the mat is absolute. After a couple of setbacks, he’s looking to re-establish himself as the division’s premier ground specialist.
Diego Lopes has been a revelation. A dynamic, dangerous finisher with bricks in his hands and a slick submission game of his own. He possesses that rare, fight-ending power that can turn the lights out at any moment. For him, the path is clear: keep the fight standing and make Mitchell pay for every takedown attempt.
Prediction: This will be a battle of wills. Mitchell will inevitably get his takedowns, but the question is whether he can hold Lopes down and avoid the submissions and scrambles. Lopes will be dangerous off his back and in the brief moments on the feet. I believe Mitchell’s top pressure will be the difference in a grueling, back-and-forth affair. Bryce Mitchell via Unanimous Decision.
To understand the intricacies of the grappling battle we’re about to witness, study the art of jiu-jitsu with the best at BJJ Fanatics: Learn from Gordon Ryan & More at BJJ Fanatics
Main Card Mayhem: Don’t You Dare Blink
#5 Sean “The Sniper” Brady (17-1-0) vs. #8 Jack “The Tank” Della Maddalena (18-2-0)
Welterweight fireworks! This is a quintessential striker vs. grappler matchup with elite-level practitioners on both sides. Brady is a powerhouse wrestler with a vicious top game and improving hands. JDM is a pure boxer with lethal combinations and terrifying finishing instincts. Can Brady get inside and drag the Australian to the mat, or will JDC piece