Alex Perez and Su Mudaerji rematch in Shanghai after a no-contest finish tied to a low blow

The UFC is bringing Alex Perez and Su Mudaerji back into the same cage for UFC Fight Night 286 after their first fight ended in a no contest when a low blow caused the contest to be stopped. The rematch, slated for the main card in Shanghai at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, is now the focal point of the matchup, because it forces both fighters to address the exact issue that denied them a decision the first time.

In their initial encounter, the fight’s outcome was removed from the usual judging and finishing equation, turning the rematch into more than a simple stylistic repeat. A no contest changes the tone of preparation because it tends to highlight discipline and shot selection rather than only momentum and timing. For Perez, the priority becomes limiting any exchanges that could drift toward legal trouble, while still pressing for the kind of openings that let his offense work. For Mudaerji, the emphasis is on staying effective without crossing the line that cost the bout.

The rematch has also attracted analyst attention ahead of Saturday’s main-card slot, with MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaking down how the second meeting could play out differently. While the rematch carries the same basic matchup identity, the conversation around it has shifted toward adjustments, especially how each fighter initiates exchanges and manages close-range positioning where low strikes can become more likely.

Both fighters are expected to look for control points early, because the first fight’s abrupt stop makes the first few minutes carry extra importance. When a bout ends as a no contest due to a low blow, fighters and coaches typically treat the opening sequences as “risk zones,” where positioning and the angle of attack must be tightened. That often means sharper entries, more deliberate feints, and more conscious distance management before committing to offense.

UFC Fight Night 286’s setting adds another layer. Shanghai has become a regular host for major combat sports events, and the format of Fight Night main cards tends to reward fighters who can translate plan into sustained round-by-round execution, not just flash moments. For Perez and Mudaerji, the rematch’s stakes are practical and immediate: a clear result resolves the narrative interruption from their first meeting and restores a normal outcome pathway for both careers.

The main question for this rematch is whether the adjustments made after the no contest will produce a cleaner fight from both sides. If Perez can keep exchanges at ranges that reduce the likelihood of low-strike situations, he may be able to work through his best offensive rhythm. If Mudaerji can pressure without drifting into illegal territory, the rematch could become a battle of who controls distance and cadence more effectively, rather than who lands the most dramatic single moments.

What to watch next is the early positioning and the first clear exchanges that resemble offense rather than “feeling out.” A rematch after a low-blow no contest often becomes a test of habits: who tightens form sooner, who commits to legal attacks more decisively, and who forces the other to reset mid-round. Once those answers show up, the rest of the fight night picture will begin to clarify around this matchup’s winner and what that result could mean for future matchmaking.