Zhang Mingyang during an open workout in Shanghai, China on 23/8/2025. Photo: Zuffa LLC

Today, August 23, Zhang, nicknamed "Mountain Tiger", will headline his first main event against Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night 257 in Shanghai.

Zhang, with a record of 19 wins and 6 losses, is on a tear that has the light heavyweight division on notice. Since January 2020, the Chinese fighter has won 12 straight fights, all by first-round knockouts. His last defeat was against Luan Aguirre Elias by submission in the first round in 2019.

Zhang's next opponent, Johnny Walker, has been winless since 2023, with two losses and one no contest. The Brazilian fighter has also suffered six knockout losses in his professional career, a worrying statistic against the rising "Knockout King" Zhang.

Zhang Mingyang (right) and Johnny Walker at a pre-fight promotional event in Shanghai. Photo: UFC

Zhang's career didn't start smoothly. He began with a 7-6 record, seemingly unlikely to reach great heights. Before joining the UFC, he overcame a serious injury that sidelined him for nearly two years.

The turning point came at age 21, when Zhang changed his mindset and intensified his training. In 2022, he earned a UFC contract through the "Road to UFC" tournament and debuted at UFC 298, the same event where Ilia Topuria won the featherweight title with a second-round TKO victory over Alexander Volkanovski.

Zhang made an immediate impact, knocking out Brendson Ribeiro in just 101 seconds and earning a $50,000 "Performance of the Night" bonus. He then defeated Ozzy Diaz at UFC Macao and veteran Anthony Smith, breaking into the light heavyweight top 15 for the first time.

With no Chinese male fighters having won a UFC title, Zhang is now the nation's biggest hope. In the women's division, reigning strawweight (under 52.2 kg) champion Zhang Weili remains the top star and a frequent training partner of the "Mountain Tiger." The pair are considered new icons of Chinese MMA.

Outside the octagon, Zhang's imposing physique (1.88m tall, 93 kg) has led to comparisons with basketball legend Yao Ming. The UFC has leveraged this resemblance to promote the Shanghai event, where Zhang is the main draw.

If Zhang knocks out Walker today, he will likely enter the top 10. His next target is former champion Jiri Prochazka, who will face Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320.

Depending on the outcome of that fight, Zhang could be matched up against Prochazka, a potentially explosive encounter between two aggressive knockout artists. Zhang's ultimate goal is the light heavyweight title, currently held by Alex Pereira.

Hong Duy compiled this report.