Zhang Mingyang

Zhang Mingyang
Born (1998-08-16) August 16, 1998
Fuyang, Anhui, China
Native name张名扬[1]
Other namesMountain Tiger
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight heavyweight
Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StyleSanda
Fighting out ofQingdao, Shandong, China
TeamSunkin Fight
Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins19
By knockout13
By submission6
By decision0
Losses6
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision1
Amateur record
Total1
Wins1
Other information
UniversityShandong Sport University
Children1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Zhang Mingyang (Chinese: 张名扬[1]; born August 16, 1998) is a Chinese mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of June 17, 2025, he is #14 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[2]

Background

Zhang was born in Taihe County in Fuyang city of Anhui province in 1998.[3][4] The nickname 'Mountain Tiger' was given to him by his father since he was born in the year of the Tiger and also because his father hoped he would become brave like one.[4]

When Zhang was seven, he met his uncle who finished his training Shaolin Monastery and trained Zhang in martial arts.[3] At age twelve, Zhang's parents sent Zhang to the Shaolin Monastery to train after a strong request from him.[3][4] He then started practicing sanda becoming the Henan Province Youth Sanda Champion and the National Youth Sanda Champion at the age of thirteen.[5]

At age fourteen, Zhang was selected to become a member of the Shanxi Provincial Sanda Team.[3][4]

While on the Sanda team, Zhang accidentally saw a UFC video on the internet. After seeing it, he decided to switch to MMA with the goal of entering the UFC.[6][7] Despite his family's dissuasion, he left his hometown to move to Qingdao in Shandong province. He joined Sunkin Fight which is a subsidiary of Sunkin Group, a real estate company.[7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In 2014 at age sixteen, Zhang started his MMA career where he fought in the Chinese regional scene.[4]

Zhang represented China in the 2018 Junior World Cup held in St. Petersburg, Russia that was hosted by the Russian MMA Union and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association. He won the gold medal in the 93kg class.[3][6][7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On June 9, 2022, Zhang fought in a non-tournament bout against George Tokkos as the opening to Road to UFC Season 1. Despite Tokkos being a -675 betting favorite, Zhang knocked him out via punches in the first round.[8] This victory made Zhang the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC contract in the Road to UFC program.[3][4][6]

In 2023, Zhang was originally scheduled to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284.[9] However Zhang had to withdraw due to a significant waist injury that kept him away from fighting for over a year.[4][9]

Zhang made his UFC debut on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298 where he faced Brendson Ribeiro. He won via knockout in the first round.[3][4][6][9] This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.[9]

On November 23, 2024, Zhang faced Ozzy Diaz at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo. He won via TKO in the first round via an elbow strike at distance. This fight earned him a second Performance of the Night award.[10]

On April 26, 2025, Zhang faced Anthony Smith for his retirement fight at UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates. He won via TKO in the first round via elbows.[11] This fight earned him a third Performance of the Night award.[12]

Zhang is scheduled to face Johnny Walker on August 23, 2025 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 257.[13]

Personal life

Zhang is married. His wife was previously a dancer who participated on the CMG New Year's Gala.[4]

Zhang has one son. Zhang was not able to witness the birth of his child as he was in training camp at the time.[9]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Sanda

  • 2012 Henan Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place
  • 2012 National Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
25 matches 19 wins 6 losses
By knockout 13 3
By submission 6 2
By decision 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 19–6 Anthony Smith TKO (elbows) UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates April 26, 2025 1 4:03 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 18–6 Ozzy Diaz TKO (elbow and punches) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo November 23, 2024 1 2:25 Macau SAR, China Performance of the Night.
Win 17–6 Brendson Ribeiro KO (punches) UFC 298 February 17, 2024 1 1:41 Anaheim, California, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 16–6 Tuko Tokkos KO (punches) Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 1 June 19, 2022 1 3:57 Kallang, Singapore Return to Light Heavyweight.
Win 15–6 Huo Changsheng TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 52 April 30, 2021 1 2:25 Maotai, China
Win 14–6 Zhang Caibao TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 50 January 14, 2021 1 1:29 Zhengzhou, China Won the WLF Heavyweight Tournament.
Win 13–6 Kong Handong TKO (knees and punches) 1 0:45 WLF Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 12–6 Zhang Caibao TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 49 November 17, 2020 1 1:29 Zhengzhou, China
Win 11–6 Tian Hongyan TKO (punches) Huya FC: Kung Fu Carnival Season 2 September 5, 2020 1 0:50 Guangzhou, China Won the Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Win 10–6 Ma Anding Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:09 Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 9–6 Huo Changsheng TKO (punches) 1 2:01 Return to Heavyweight. Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 8–6 Alireza Vafaei Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 41 January 3, 2020 1 1:53 Zhengzhou, China
Loss 7–6 Luan Aguirre Elias Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 39 July 18, 2019 1 3:36 Zhengzhou, China
Win 7–5 Nosherwan Khanzada TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 36 July 12, 2019 1 3:26 Zhengzhou, China Heavyweight bout.
Win 6–5 Nader Ishakov TKO (punches) Tatfight 9: China vs. Tatarstan April 27, 2019 1 1:00 Kazan, Russia
Loss 5–5 Askar Mozharov KO (punch) YunFeng Duel December 29, 2018 1 N/A Yantai, China
Loss 5–4 Sergey Pogodaev TKO (punches) MFP 220 May 26, 2018 2 3:45 Khabarovsk, Russia Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 5–3 Aorigele Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight King: Gold Belt Contest January 28, 2018 1 1:35 Xian'an, China Heavyweight debut.
Win 4–3 Sayama Submission (armbar) YunFeng Showdown 8 December 23, 2017 1 1:53 Yantai, China Catchweight (198 lb) bout.
Loss 3–3 Koji Shikuwa Decision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight MMA 11 May 4, 2017 3 5:00 Jining, China
Loss 3–2 John Vake KO (punches) Kunlun Fight: Cage Fight Series 6 October 21, 2016 1 2:18 Yiwu, China Catchweight (190 lb) bout.
Win 3–1 Puriya Nemati Submission (rear-naked choke) CKF 08/13 August 13, 2016 1 1:11 Qingdao, China Catchweight (190 lb) bout.
Win 2–1 Atta Izzatullo TKO (punches) WBK 16: Day 2 June 26, 2016 1 2:10 Qingdao, China Middleweight debut.
Win 1–1 Zhang Caibao Submission (rear-naked choke) 2016 Xinjiang Oriental Summit January 21, 2016 1 1:55 Qingdao, China Catchweight (198 lb) bout.
Loss 0–1 Han Qingtao Submission (guillotine choke) CKF 12/30 December 30, 2014 2 0:15 Qian'an, China Catchweight (202 lb) bout.

[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "连续第三次首回合打卡下班，跻身UFC轻重量级排名榜，张名扬成亚洲第一人". www.jfdaily.co.
  2. ^ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "张名扬凯旋，家乡百人团迎接". 大皖新闻| 安徽网. February 21, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i 王, 卫朋 (February 24, 2024). "中国力量在UFC大级别首胜！张名扬回国接受采访：唯一的信念就是为国争光". 劳动观察. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  5. ^ ""虎狼之争"即将打响！中国新秀对决伊朗冠军". sports.sina.cn. August 2, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d "阜阳小伙张名扬首秀UFC 为中国赢得UFC大级别历史首胜". QQ News (in Chinese (China)). February 18, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "太和小伙综合格斗世界青年锦标赛上为国争光". iah.ifeng.com. April 2, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  8. ^ Bohn, Mike (June 9, 2022). "Massive underdog Zhang Mingyang scores scary KO over Tuco Tokkos in 'Road to UFC' opener". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e f Erickson, Matt (February 20, 2024). "Zhang Mingyang planning renaissance for big Chinese MMA fighters, calls out Tyson Pedro after UFC 298". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Bohn, Mike (November 24, 2024). "UFC Fight Night 248 post-event facts: Muslim Salikhov makes history with second UFC spinning wheel kick finish". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Wells, Matthew (April 26, 2025). "UFC on ESPN 66 results: Zhang Mingyang spoils Anthony Smith's retirement party". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Hiergesell, Dan (April 27, 2025). "Bonuses! Brown Vs. Dalby Easily Lands FOTN Honors". MMAmania.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Marina Magomedova (May 21, 2025). "Source: Walker to Fight Zhang on August 23 at UFC Shanghai Event". telecomasia.net. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "The Newcomers | 2024 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  15. ^ Meshew, Jed (December 24, 2024). "2024 MMA All-Star Team: Who were the most violent fighters in each weight class this year?". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  16. ^ "Mingyang Zhang". Sherdog. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
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