Francesco Nuzzi joins UFC Shanghai for Xiao Long bout in 2026

Francesco Nuzzi (11-2, 2NC) has been added to UFC Shanghai, where he will face Xiao Long (27-11) in a bantamweight contest. The fight is scheduled for August 29, 2026, at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center and was arranged on short notice for both fighters.

Nuzzi’s representatives confirmed the booking on Wednesday, and the Italian later acknowledged it on social media. The matchup places him on a card headlined by Umar Nurmagomedov and Song Yadong in another bantamweight contest.

The bout gives Nuzzi a return to competition after his most recent appearance ended without a result. He was unable to continue after suffering a low blow during a Cage Warriors contest, which was recorded as a no contest.

Before that setback, Nuzzi had rebuilt his record after a defeat in the 2025 PFL World Tournament. He stopped Lucas Rodrigues at Cage Warriors 195 last October. The Italian has also competed in the PFL, where he recorded one win, one loss and one no contest across three fights.

Long enters the contest after consecutive defeats in the UFC. His latest outing went the full distance against Cody Garbrandt, with the former UFC bantamweight champion taking the decision. The result followed another loss for Long under the promotion.

The Chinese fighter has won once in three UFC appearances, leaving him with a 1-2 record inside the octagon. He had not previously been scheduled for the Shanghai event, while Nuzzi’s addition completes a short-notice bantamweight pairing between two fighters seeking momentum.