Zhang Mingyang has 19 finishes in 19 wins, which includes nine straight stoppages by way of knockout/technical knockout. Former light heavyweight title challenger, Anthony Smith, joined that growing list of victims in the UFC Kansas City co-main event last weekend in Missouri.
That was probably not the way “Lionheart’ wanted to retire from combat sports.
The finish over Smith left Mingyang, still just 26, at 4-0 under the UFC banner. More importantly, it put “Mountain Tiger” in a position to call for stiffer competition — an opportunity he didn’t waste when cameras were rolling backstage at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
“Next fight, I want Jiri Prochazka,” Mingyang told Full Send through his translator. “I watched your fight in Singapore, and you won your belt in that fight. I like your style. I respect your warrior spirit. Now, although you are not champion anymore, I would like to fight you, to test myself.”
Mingyang also boasts three straight “Performance of the Night” bonuses.
Despite the “Mountain Tiger’s” success, Prochazka may be unwilling to risk his spot on the 205-pound leaderboard. “BJP” is currently ranked No. 2 in the light heavyweight division and fresh off his knockout finish over former champion Jamahal Hill at the UFC 311 pay-per-view (PPV) event back in January.
UFC matchmakers should have an answer for us in the coming weeks.
