The Chinese Zhang Mingyang entered his first UFC head event at UFC Shanghai on Saturday and took on Brazilian Johnny Walker in a solid test on 205 pounds.
Mingyang came from a victory over Anthony “Lionheart” Smith in Smith’s pension fight.
Mingyang immediately got the fight from the bell and put Walker on his back after Walker’s own Takedown attempt failed. That gave Mingyang some room for elbows, while Walker mobile remained out of his back. He would come back, soon circling on the outside while Mingyang walked him down. A right hand at the Chinese star hit home and Walker picked up in search of a Takedown. Walker stuck with his left side and connected at least once, then circled, rounds of the Octagon on the outside. Walker tore a leg kick, Mingyang replied with a right hand.
With another minute in the opening round, Walker shot for a Takedown, only to see it filled. Mingyang responded with an elbow that hurt Walker. Annoying.
Round two saw Walker again rocking in an early care for a Mingyang judge. But Walker saw the momentum shift in his direction when a leg kick (a series of them really) fell Mingyang. Zhang was injured! Walker was over him everywhere and dropped bumps on the Mingyang crashed while he stood. Mingyang almost came back, but could not, with Walker who succeeded more, before the referee finally waved up things! The worm came out, while Johnny Walker did his traditional festive dance. The legs changed the course of the UFC Shanghai Main Event, giving Walker a big win over an emerging Chinese star.
Levels to this game 🫡@Johnnywalker Tonight the R2 TKO earns in enemy territory!
[ #UFCShanghai ] pic.twitter.com/006olp4ns8
– UFC (@UFC) August 23, 2025
Official result: Johnny Walker Def. Zhang Mingyang by Tko, Round 2, 2:37
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