MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Walker vs. Zhang

by Liam Heslin (LiamPicksFights) Last Updated 2025-08-22 13:30:05 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Liam Heslin (aka LiamPicksFights) is a massive combat sports fan with over a decade of experience competing in wrestling and grappling martial arts. For each UFC event, he produces the MMA DFS and sports betting breakdown for RotoGrinders.

The UFC and the combat sports world as a whole is saturated with action this weekend. As a long term push into the Chinese market and as a play to continue developing Asian talent, the UFC is running another Road to UFC event in advance of their UFC Shanghai card that we will be breaking down in this article. Instead of appealing to American fans like they normally would, the UFC is honoring the local start time for the event and airing live at 3AM. If you’re as passionate about fights as I am, I will see all you sickos bright and early at 3AM EST for the preliminary opener between two UFC sophomores who need to make a better second impression on the fan base after laying eggs in their debut performances.

Editor’s Note: Analysis of remaining fights is coming soon!

Note: All DFS salaries listed are from DraftKings & all odds quoted are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Editor’s Note: Looking for more places to play? Check out our Underdog Fantasy promo code and PrizePicks promo code, two of the best DFS apps available today.

MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night – Walker vs. Zhang

Uran Satybaldiev ($8,700) vs. Diyar Nurgozhay ($7,500)

Fight Odds: -142 Satybaldiev vs. +116 Nurgozhay
Weight Class: 205lb. (Light Heavyweight)

Uran Satybaldiev (0-1 UFC) landed just 36 significant strikes against Martin Buday (7-1 UFC; cut from the promotion) in his UFC debut, his finishing instincts looked awful when he had Buday hurt, and he was controlled against the fence for more than a full round of action. Satybaldiev looked very sloppy on the regional scene, and I believe he has gotten to the UFC too soon. Now he is dropping back down to light heavyweight, where he should be more appropriately sized, but his skill level and output aren’t trustworthy to me.

Diyar Nurgozhay (0-1 UFC) was a -400 favorite against a kill-or-be-killed Brazilian banger with 20+ professional fights in his UFC debut, and he secured 2 takedowns before getting submitted via kimura in the second round. Nurgozhay missed weight for that bout by 5 pounds, he looked like crap in the fight, and he pulled an absolute stunt. Now he gets an opportunity at redemption against a worse opponent (IMHO) with less experience, less dynamic finishing ability, and less overall athleticism. Satybadliev is a bit slow and his grappling can be sloppy.

This is a prove-it fight for both guys after a horrible start to their UFC careers, but I thought Nurgozhay projected as a better UFC prospect when he arrived, so I will pick him to bounce back in Shanghai (if he makes the weight class like a professional).

Prediction: Diyar Nurgozhay defeats Uran Satybaldiev via Stoppage

Su Young You ($8,300) vs. Long Xiao ($7,900)