UFC Fight Night: Xiao Long vs Francesco Nuzzi Preview & Prediction

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PFL and Cage Warriors alum, Francesco Nuzzi, debuts in enemy territory, taking on Xiao Long in a 135 pound showcase.

Xiao Long vs Francesco Nuzzi facts

What time are Xiao Long and Francesco Nuzzi expected to walk out? 29 August 2026 at 9:50 am

Where is UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song? SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center, Shanghai, China

Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 286

What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount

Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song main card

Umar Nurmagomedov vs Song Yadong (Bantamweight)

Yan Xiaonan vs Denise Gomes (Women's Strawweight)

Aori Qileng vs Kai Asakura (Bantamweight)

Su Mudaerji vs Alex Perez (Flyweight)

Liu Ce vs Levi Rodrigues Jr. (Light Heavyweight)

Bilal Hasan vs Nilson Rojas (Flyweight)

UFC Fight Night: Nurmagomedov vs Song prelims

Namsrai Batbayar vs Andre Lima (Flyweight)

Rei Tsuruya vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)

Jack Jenkins vs Sean Woodson (Featherweight)

Xiao Long vs Francesco Nuzzi (Bantamweight)

Lawrence Lui vs Hector Santiago (Bantamweight)

Xiong Jingnan vs Julia Polastri (Women's Strawweight)

Ding Meng vs Cameron Nelson (Welterweight)

Xiao Long: Can the Chinese fighter build on an impressive showing in his last bout?

Were it not for a number of egregious low blows, Long Xiao (27-11) arguably would have walked away with the biggest scalp of his career in his last fight against Cody Garbrandt. He out struck the former champion and scored the only takedown of the fight but now finds himself at 1-2 under the UFC banner. A veteran of nearly 40 fights at the age of 28, Long leverages his Sanda background to throw and land at a high clip. He has a piston-like straight right and leans on an iron chin to help him endure big shots coming back in his direction.

Francesco Nuzzi: "Berserker" debuts following impressive showings in other organizations

Making his UFC debut following stints in Cage Warriors and the PFL, Francesco Nuzzi (11-2, 2 NC) represents Italy in enemy territory for his first fight with the promotion. A polished, hard-hitting kickboxer with an array of highlight reel finishes, “The Berserker” brings a high pace and is always looking for the finish. He actually has a win over UFC level competition from earlier in his career, earning a split decision against the highly touted Bernardo Sopaj. He was last seen in action in Cage Warriors, with an unfortunate low blow resulting in a NC against Manoel Silva.

Xiao Long vs Francesco Nuzzi prediction

It’s difficult to know how much stock to put in Long’s last performance against Cody Garbrandt. He would have won that fight against a former champion were it not for point deductions, but was that showing down to his merits as a competitor or just how washed “No Love” is as of 2026?

Nuzzi actually looks to be solid value as a slight underdog here. He’s an aggressive, but technically sound, kickboxer with great feints and counters to balance legitimate KO power. Long may have looked solid last time out and has an edge when it comes to height and reach, but he’s had some losses to opponents who arguably aren’t on Nuzzi’s level when it comes to the striking department.

However, while he has been stopped before, Long has proven to be extremely difficult to put away. On the other side of the cage, Nuzzi's Achilles' heel has historically been grappling; he's never been knocked out as a pro but he's been submitted in both of his losses. Xiao hasn't submitted anybody that makes me think that he's likely to add a third loss by tap out to Nuzzi's record, but I like his chances to earn the decision in front of a partisan crowd and judges in his home country.

Outside of a shock Nuzzi KO in the early goings, potentially via head kick or a flying knee, the pick is Long by decision.

Prediction: Xiao Long to win by decision