The knockouts kept on coming in November when Zhang entered the Octagon against Ozzy Diaz in Macau last November. The light heavyweight continued to show his power, as he landed an elbow against Diaz that sent him down to the canvas, and after a few follow up shots were landed, the referee stepped in to end the fight at the 2:25 mark of the first round. This win put solidified Zhang’s spot as a prospect to watch in the light heavyweight division, and a real threat for whoever stepped into the Octagon with him.
WATCH: Zhang Mingyang Fight Week Interview
The power of the elbow was once again on display in Zhang’s first contest of 2025, back in April, when he faced Anthony Smith in Kansas City. The fight marked Smith’s last walk to the Octagon, but that didn’t faze Zhang, who was all gas no brakes throughout the entirety of the fight, adding another first round finish to his resume and setting him up for his first UFC main event.
The interesting angle to this fight is that Zhang and Walker have actually trained together. Prior to his bout against Smith, Zhang connected with Walker to help him prepare for “Lionheart”, given Walker’s experience also facing him.