Zhang Mingyang
Chinese mixed martial artist (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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).
| Zhang Mingyang | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1998 Fuyang, Anhui, China |
| Native name | 张名扬[1] |
| 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 | 26 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| By submission | 6 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| 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 | |
Background
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 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 accidentally 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
Early career
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 93 kg class.[2][5][6]
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.[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]
Zhang faced Johnny Walker on August 23, 2025 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 257.[12] He lost the fight by technical knockout via leg kicks and punches in the second round.[13]
Zhang is scheduled to face Alonzo Menifield on May 30, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 277.[14]
Personal life
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
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three Times) vs. Brendson Ribeiro, Ozzy Diaz and Anthony Smith[8][9][11]
- UFC.com Awards
- Wu Lin Feng
- 2021 WLF Heavyweight Tournament winner
- MMA Fighting
- 2024 Second Team MMA All-Star[16]
Sanda
- 2012 Henan Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place
- 2012 National Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place
Mixed martial arts record
| 26 matches | 19 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 4 |
| By submission | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 19–7 | Johnny Walker | TKO (leg kicks and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang | August 23, 2025 | 2 | 2:37 | Shanghai, China | |
| 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 | Tuco 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. |