Johnny Walker Shocks in Shanghai with KO against Zhang Mingyang
In a historic event for the UFC in China, Johnny Walker starred in a triumphant return by knocking out Zhang Mingyang in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Shanghai.
Walker, after two consecutive KO defeats, achieved an impressive knockout in the second round, frustrating Zhang’s expected homecoming.
The 33-year-old Brazilian fighter ended a 12-fight winning streak for Zhang, who hadn’t lost an MMA fight since 2019 and hadn’t seen a second round since 2018.The image shows Johnny Walker’s TKO in the second round, which ended Zhang Mingyang’s 12-fight winning streak.Zhang dominated the first round, connecting significant strikes and forcing Walker to retreat. However, Walker adjusted his strategy in the second round, focusing on calf kicks.
A precise kick hit Zhang, followed by a second one that knocked him down. Walker, taking advantage of the situation, pounced on his opponent to finish the fight by ground-and-pound at 2:37 of the round.
My kick is amazing, right?
Johnny Walker
Walker also briefly addressed the crowd in Chinese and showed respect for Zhang.
A tough fighter from China, with many consecutive victories. It’s a great experience to fight against a very tough guy. I am resilient. I took some hits to the face today and kept going, and then I got it. This is MMA. Incredible, right?
Johnny Walker
Walker, currently ranked 13th in the official UFC rankings, defeated Zhang, who is one place below him.
Aljamain Sterling Dominates Brian Ortega in the Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, Aljamain Sterling defeated Brian Ortega by unanimous decision in a catchweight bout at 153 pounds due to Ortega’s inability to make the 146-pound division weight.
Sterling, former bantamweight champion, proved to be faster than Ortega, achieving a dominant victory with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 50-45 after five rounds.
Ortega only landed 7% of his strikes in the first round, showing difficulties throughout the fight.
Sterling, ranked number 9 in ESPN’s 145-pound rankings, secured his second victory in three fights after losing his title in 2023.
For Ortega, this was his second consecutive loss and the fifth in his last seven fights.
Sergei Pavlovich Dominates Waldo Cortes-Acosta
On the fight card, Sergei Pavlovich, ranked 6th in the heavyweight division, defeated Waldo Cortes-Acosta, number 9, in the third round, winning by decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Pavlovich, with a record of eight wins in his last ten fights, suffered a defeat against champion Tom Aspinall less than two years ago.
