Zhang Mingyang

Chinese mixed martial artist (born 1998)

Zhang Mingyang

Born|  (1998-08-16) August 16, 1998 (age 26)
Fuyang, Anhui, China
Native name| 张名扬
Other names| Mountain Tiger
Height| 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight| 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Division| Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Middleweight
Reach| 75 in (191 cm)
Style| Sanda
Fighting out of| Qingdao, Shandong, China
Team| Sunkin Fight
Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts
Rank| Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active| 2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total| 25
Wins| 19
By knockout| 13
By submission| 6
By decision| 0
Losses| 6
By knockout| 3
By submission| 2
By decision| 1
Amateur record
Total| 1
Wins| 1
Other information
University| Shandong Sport University
Children| 1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Zhang Mingyang (Chinese: 张名扬; 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 April 29, 2025, he is #14 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[1]

## Background

[edit]

Zhang was born in Taihe County in Fuyang city of Anhui province in 1998.[2][3] 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.[3]

When Zhang was seven, he met his uncle who finished his training Shaolin Monastery and trained Zhang in martial arts.[2] At age twelve, Zhang's parents sent Zhang to the Shaolin Monastery to train after a strong request from him.[2][3] He then started practicing sanda becoming the Henan Province Youth Wushu Sanda Champion and the National Youth Sanda Champion at the age of thirteen.[4]

At age fourteen, Zhang was selected to become a member of the Shanxi Provincial Sanda Team.[2][3]

While on the Sanda team, Zhang accidently saw a UFC video on the internet. After seeing it, he decided to switch to MMA with the goal of entering the UFC.[5][6] 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.[6]

## Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

In 2014 at age sixteen, Zhang started his MMA career where he fought in the Chinese regional scene.[3]

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.[2][5][6]

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

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.[7] This victory made Zhang the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC contract in the Road to UFC program.[2][3][5]

In 2023, Zhang was originally scheduled to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284.[8] However Zhang had to withdraw due to a significant waist injury that kept him away from fighting for over a year.[3][8]

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.[2][3][5][8] This fight earned him a Performance of the Night award.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10] This fight earned him a third Performance of the Night award.[11]

## Personal life

[edit]

Zhang is married. His wife was previously a dancer who participated on the CMG New Year's Gala.[3]

Zhang has one son. Zhang was not able to witness the birth of his child as he was in training camp at the time.[8]

## Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

### Mixed martial arts

[edit]

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
* Performance of the Night (Three Times) vs. Brendson Ribeiro, Ozzy Diaz and Anthony Smith[8][9][11]
* UFC.com Awards
* 2024: Ranked #6 Newcomer of the Year[12]

* Wu Lin Feng
* 2021 WLF Heavyweight Tournament winner

### Sanda

[edit]

* Henan Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place
* National Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place

## Mixed martial arts record

[edit]

Professional record breakdown  25 matches | 19 wins | 6 losses

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By knockout | 13  | 3
By submission | 6  | 2
By decision | 0  | 1
Res.  | Record  | Opponent  | Method  | Event  | Date  | Round  | Time  | Location  | Notes

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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  | April 27, 2019 | 1  | 1:00  | Kazan, Russia  |
Loss  | 5–5  | Askar Mozharov  | KO (punch)  | Yunfeng Showdown: Global Kung Fu Masters  | December 29, 2018 | 1  | N/A  | Yantai, China  |
Loss  | 5–4  | Sergey Pogodaev  | TKO (punches)  | Modern Fighting Pankration 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.

[13]

## See also

[edit]

* List of current UFC fighters
* List of male mixed martial artists

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
2. ^ 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.
3. ^ 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.
4. ^ ""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.
5. ^ 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.
6. ^ 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.
7. ^ 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.
8. ^ 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.
9. ^ 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.
10. ^ Wells, Matthew (April 26, 2025). "UFC on ESPN 66 results: Zhang Mingyang spoils Anthony Smith's retirement party". MMA Junkie. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
11. ^ a b Hiergesell, Dan (April 27, 2025). "Bonuses! Brown Vs. Dalby Easily Lands FOTN Honors". MMAmania.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
12. ^ "The Newcomers | 2024 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. December 16, 2024. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
13. ^ "Mingyang Zhang". Sherdog. Retrieved April 27, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Professional MMA record for Zhang Mingyang from Sherdog
* Zhang Mingyang at UFC

* v
* t
* e

UFC Light Heavyweight Rankings

UFC Champion:  Magomed Ankalaev

* 1. Alex Pereira
* 2. Jiří Procházka
* 3. Carlos Ulberg

* 4. Jamahal Hill
* 5. Jan Błachowicz
* 6. Aleksandar Rakić

* 7. Khalil Rountree Jr.
* 8. Dominick Reyes
* 9. Volkan Oezdemir

* 10. Nikita Krylov
* 11. Johnny Walker
* 12. Azamat Murzakanov

* 13. Bogdan Guskov
* 14. Zhang Mingyang
* 15. Alonzo Menifield

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Updated to 29 April 2025
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