Zhang Mingyang
Mountain Tiger
China
Falls in home country as favorite
Mingyang lost to Johnny Walker via TKO (punches and elbows) at 2:37 of Round 2 at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Zhang was cruising in the first frame, landing several noteworthy shots and stuffing Walker's takedown attempts, even coming out in top position on one. But Walker weathered that adversity and made Zhang chase him around the cage, connecting with several leg kicks along the way that would pay dividends later. Round 2 was more of the same, with Zhang wobbling Walker a bit with two early stiff right hands. Walker shrugged it off and went back to attacking the leg of Mingyang, who started to crumble. Walker landed another huge leg kick as Zhang was already falling for good measure, and followed it up with a series of hard elbows and punches on the ground. Zhang can afford this loss given he's just 27 years of age, and that the light heavyweight division isn't all that deep. It's still a disappointing result nonetheless, as he was fighting in his home country and entered as a betting favorite as high as (-400).
Zhang was cruising in the first frame, landing several noteworthy shots and stuffing Walker's takedown attempts, even coming out in top position on one. But Walker weathered that adversity and made Zhang chase him around the cage, connecting with several leg kicks along the way that would pay dividends later. Round 2 was more of the same, with Zhang wobbling Walker a bit with two early stiff right hands. Walker shrugged it off and went back to attacking the leg of Mingyang, who started to crumble. Walker landed another huge leg kick as Zhang was already falling for good measure, and followed it up with a series of hard elbows and punches on the ground. Zhang can afford this loss given he's just 27 years of age, and that the light heavyweight division isn't all that deep. It's still a disappointing result nonetheless, as he was fighting in his home country and entered as a betting favorite as high as (-400).
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Fighting in home country
Mingyang will face Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 23.
ANALYSIS
Mingyang will have the chance to fight in front of his home fans, and he'll face Walker knowing he's started his UFC tenure on a strong note with four consecutive wins. His most recent victory came against Anthony Smith via TKO on April 26 in Kansas City, but Walker will probably be the toughest opponent he's faced at the UFC level so far.
Mingyang will have the chance to fight in front of his home fans, and he'll face Walker knowing he's started his UFC tenure on a strong note with four consecutive wins. His most recent victory came against Anthony Smith via TKO on April 26 in Kansas City, but Walker will probably be the toughest opponent he's faced at the UFC level so far.
Plays role of villain in Kansas City
Zhang defeated Anthony Smith via TKO (elbows) at 4:03 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
Zhang entered as north of a -400 favorite for Smith's retirement fight and played the role of villain without issue. He opened a massive gash on Anthony's head with an early elbow before putting Smith away with more unanswered elbows late in the frame. The dominant effort would go on to earn Zhang a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and the early results of Zhang's UFC run could not be any better. He's 4-0 with the company with four first-round stoppage wins. In fact, each of his 19 career wins have coming via Round 1 stoppage. Whether any of this is sustainable against better competition is an open question, but Zhang should get a change to prove that in the not-too-distant future.
Zhang entered as north of a -400 favorite for Smith's retirement fight and played the role of villain without issue. He opened a massive gash on Anthony's head with an early elbow before putting Smith away with more unanswered elbows late in the frame. The dominant effort would go on to earn Zhang a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, and the early results of Zhang's UFC run could not be any better. He's 4-0 with the company with four first-round stoppage wins. In fact, each of his 19 career wins have coming via Round 1 stoppage. Whether any of this is sustainable against better competition is an open question, but Zhang should get a change to prove that in the not-too-distant future.
Looks to stay perfect vs. Smith
Mingyang will take on Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Kansas City on April 26, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Mingyang is off to a perfect 2-0 start in his UFC career, with neither of his opponents making it past the first round. He most recently disposed of Ozzy Diaz via elbow and ground punches back in November. He'll take on a much more experienced opponent in Smith, but one who is coming off two straight losses and looks to be near the end of his career.
Mingyang is off to a perfect 2-0 start in his UFC career, with neither of his opponents making it past the first round. He most recently disposed of Ozzy Diaz via elbow and ground punches back in November. He'll take on a much more experienced opponent in Smith, but one who is coming off two straight losses and looks to be near the end of his career.
Remains perfect in UFC
Zhang defeated Ozzy Diaz via TKO (strikes) at 2:25 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.
ANALYSIS
Zhang's uber-aggressive style of fighting may not be sustainable over the long term, but the early results are exceptional. Blessed with massive power and an underrated ground game, Zhang has now picked up back-to-back first-round knockout wins to begin his UFC run. The lightning-quick combination which put Diaz away was a thing of beauty. There will almost certainly be some volatility in Zhang's game moving forward just because he finds himself in a brawl every single time out, but he certainly has the capabilities to put forth dominant efforts such as this one.
Zhang's uber-aggressive style of fighting may not be sustainable over the long term, but the early results are exceptional. Blessed with massive power and an underrated ground game, Zhang has now picked up back-to-back first-round knockout wins to begin his UFC run. The lightning-quick combination which put Diaz away was a thing of beauty. There will almost certainly be some volatility in Zhang's game moving forward just because he finds himself in a brawl every single time out, but he certainly has the capabilities to put forth dominant efforts such as this one.
Added to UFC Macau
Mingyang will take on Ozzy Diaz in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC Macau on November 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Mingyang earned his roster spot via the Road to the UFC show, and after several failed attempts at scheduling a debut, he was able to take the Octagon against Brendson Ribeiro in February, where he stunned with a first-round knockout that earned a post-fight bonus. Now, he'll turn his focus to Diaz -- a debuting fighter but one who also has experience on Contender Series, as well as fighting under the banners of both LFA and Bellator. Mingyang will be giving up slight height and reach advantages here.
Mingyang earned his roster spot via the Road to the UFC show, and after several failed attempts at scheduling a debut, he was able to take the Octagon against Brendson Ribeiro in February, where he stunned with a first-round knockout that earned a post-fight bonus. Now, he'll turn his focus to Diaz -- a debuting fighter but one who also has experience on Contender Series, as well as fighting under the banners of both LFA and Bellator. Mingyang will be giving up slight height and reach advantages here.