Zhang Mingyang solely has one certainty in his preventing life up to now: If he walks away hand up, it’ll be after fast work.
That was the case once more Saturday when Mingyang (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) tore by Ozzy Diaz (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in lower than a half-round to open up the principle card at UFC Combat Night time 248 in Macau. Mingyang’s gentle heavyweight knockout end got here courtesy of a deadly elbow that he stated was one thing he deliberate on having accessible.
“I ready so many weapons in my arsenal – that is one among them,” Mingyang advised the UFC by a translator after his win. “Once I studied my opponent, I felt there was a giant gap when he throws his cross – and there was an opportunity I can throw an elbow to harm him, and I did it.”
Mingyang’s win got here in entrance of his dwelling followers in China and in addition scored his second straight Efficiency of the Night time bonus for an additional $50,000.
It additionally prolonged the 26-year-old’s spectacular general document of first-round finishes in all 18 of his professional wins. And that undoubtedly put a spark into the followers.
“It’s sort of like I achieved my little dream – as a result of I all the time needed to struggle in China to entertain my individuals at dwelling,” Mingyang stated. “I do know they waited for a UFC occasion for such a very long time. They’ll really feel the vitality of a UFC struggle, the environment, and be entertained – and I’m very blissful I did that. I made them blissful. I’m very blissful about that.”
Now that he’s obtained his proverbial sea legs within the promotion two fights in, the previous Highway to UFC contestant is beginning to have a look at the larger image. In 2025, he desires the sorts of opponents that result in extra money, extra status and the sort of resume that places him into title consideration at gentle heavyweight.
“There are such a lot of plans in my thoughts, however I feel subsequent yr, please – I’m trying ahead to some massive issues. UFC – I deserve an even bigger contract. I deserve an even bigger opponent, an even bigger struggle,” Mingyang stated. “If you happen to give me a ‘cash’ struggle, I can struggle anybody on this division.”
“Subsequent yr, (I’m) trying ahead to some massive issues.”
Zhang Mingyang is hoping to climb the sunshine heavyweight division rapidly after tallying one other knockout win.#UFCMacau Outcomes, Interviews & Extra ➡️: https://t.co/TC2gv8hv5E
— UFC Information (@UFCNews) November 23, 2024
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