UFC Fight Night 257: Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson Preview & Prediction
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The prelims continue with a clash in the featherweight division as China’s Yi Zha takes on Westin Wilson.
Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson facts
What time are Yi Zha and Westin Wilson expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 257
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang main card
Johnny Walker vs Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling (Featherweight)
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Heavyweight)
Su Mudaerji vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Taiyilake Nueraji vs Kiefer Crosbie (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang prelims
Maheshate Hayisaer vs Gauge Young (Lightweight)
Lone'er Kavanagh vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Rong Zhu vs Austin Hubbard (Lightweight)
Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson (Featherweight)
Xiao Long vs You Su-young (Bantamweight)
Uran Satybaldiev vs Diyar Nurgozhay (Light Heavyweight)
Yi Zha: Chinese prospect looking to impress on home turf
At 28 years old, Yi Zha (25-5) enters this bout with plenty of experience already under his belt. He suffered a decision loss to Gabriel Santos in his most recent outing but showed toughness and composure against a dangerous opponent. Before that setback, the man from China was riding a three-fight winning streak, including two first-round armbar finishes that highlighted his slick grappling game.
With 56% of his career wins coming via submission, Zha has proven himself as a genuine threat on the mat. His durability and well-rounded grappling make him a difficult puzzle to solve, while his trademark armbar remains a weapon opponents must always respect. The question here will be whether he can impose his strengths without giving Wilson the openings he so often capitalises on.
Westin Wilson: Submission specialist looking to build on biggest career win
Westin Wilson (17-9) arrives in Shanghai on the back of a confidence-boosting career win, having submitted Jeka Saragih in the first round with a tidy triangle choke. That victory helped steady the ship after two consecutive knockout defeats to fast-rising contender Jean Silva and the incredibly game Joanderson Brito. At 36, Wilson knows time is not on his side, but he remains a dangerous submission hunter with finishing instincts.
Every single one of his career victories has come inside the distance, with 71% via submission. However, his striking is lacklustre, often leaving him vulnerable during stand-up exchanges. Against higher-level opposition, Wilson’s flaws have been exposed, but his persistence in dragging fights to the canvas can keep him alive.
Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson prediction
Yi Zha looked solid against the very game Gabriel Santos in his last outing, even in defeat, and that performance suggests he belongs at this level. Wilson is coming off a big submission win, but the American’s limitations are well known, and he does not appear to be on the same level as the man from China. Wilson’s only plausible path to victory is to catch Zha in a submission, yet Zha’s toughness and defensive awareness should be enough to prevent that from happening.
I expect Zha to dictate the tempo, wear Wilson down, and either secure a late finish or take a clear decision on the scorecards.
Prediction: Yi Zha to win & over 1.5 rounds
