UFC®, the world's premier Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization, announced that the number 2-ranked UFC contender Michael Bisping (31-8, fighting out of Manchester, England) is confirmed to replace Anderson Silva, who has been removed from the Shanghai event following a potential USADA anti-doping policy violation. UFC FIGHT NIGHT® SHANGHAI: BISPING vs. GASTELUM presented by General Tire takes place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai on November 25, 2017.
 
One of the most accomplished athletes in the UFC, Bisping tied for the most victories in UFC history, racking up 20 Octagon® wins during his long and successful MMA career. Ranked second in the middleweight division and has only recently lost the title to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217, Bisping will be looking to make a statement as he returns to China to prove that he is one of the all-time greats and get back on track for title contention. A fan favorite, Bisping is a must-watch, and MMA fans in Shanghai and all over the world are in for a thrilling event as the legend meets No. 8-ranked middleweight Kelvin Gastelum (14-3, 1 NC, fighting out of Yuma, Arizona, US) in the Octagon for the very first time. 
 
Gastelum has already made a name for himself in the stacked middleweight division with victories over Tim Kennedy and Johny Hendricks. Like Bisping, Gastelum is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter, and now the 26-year-old is looking at this bout as the next step on his path to a title shot as he looks to take down the former champion.
 
In the co-main event, China’s elite MMA welterweight star Li Jingliang (13-4, fighting out of Beijing, China) squares off in a welterweight clash against Zak Ottow (15-4, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ). Fighting in front of a home crowd and his China Top Team family is a dream come true for Li. With notable wins over Frank Camacho, Bobby Nash and Dhiego Lima, the 29-year old will be looking to showcase his striking and wrestling skills and prove why he is China’s most impressive MMA athlete today.  

 

Facing a legend of the sport, 25 year old Gastelum has already made a name for himself in the stacked middleweight division with victories over former UFC champions Vitor Belfort and Johny Hendricks. Having won three out of his last four bouts and with five previous first-round finishes to his name, Gastelum will be looking to make a statement at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. A stylish victory against a legend of the sport will add even more excitement to an already historic night.

 

Tickets for UFC Fight Night Shanghai presented by General Tire officially go on sale at 12:00pm Shanghai time on August 17th. Ticket categories include P1 RMB2,980, P2 RMB1,380, P3 RMB1,080, P4 RMB880, P5 RMB680, P6 RMB480, P7 RMB280.

In the months leading up to the event, top UFC athletes will be on hand to meet and interact with fans in Shanghai and other cities. In August the UFC brought UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway to Shanghai to meet fans and lead a series of MMA seminars and in September the UFC will be hosting even more activities with athletes who will be participating at the live event in November. Fans can also expect a packed schedule during fight week in late November, with appearances from guest fighters, community events and exclusive VIP Experiences.

 

1. Event Information

- Doors Open: 15:30
- Fight Starts: 16:30

 

UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe.

 

By the June of 2017, UFC has traveled to more than 129 cities across 20 countries, delivering 401 events around the world. UFC programming is broadcast in over 163 countries and territories to more than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide in 35 different languages.

 

In 2016, WME | IMG purchased UFC in hopes of continuing the organization’s extraordinary growth. WME | IMG’s expertise, reach and capabilities across the sports and entertainment landscape will push UFC further into mainstream media and highlights its prominence in global culture.

 

UFC is truly a global brand with 274,000,000 fans around the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WME | IMG is a global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion operating in more than 30 countries. Named one of Fortune’s 25 Most Important Private Companies, WME | IMG specializes in talent representation and management; brand strategy, activation and licensing; media production, sales and distribution; and event management.

WME | IMG China is a subsidiary of WME | IMG, a global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion operating in more than 30 countries. Formed through an investment group that includes Sequoia Capital China, Tencent, Fountain Vest Partners and Focus Media, WME | IMG China is focused on building upon WME | IMG’s longstanding presence in the region and advancing its growth across entertainment and sports.