Johnny Walker Knocks Out Zhang Mingyang at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai
Johnny Walker delivered a stunning performance at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai on March 2, 2024, shocking the local crowd by knocking out Zhang Mingyang in the second round. This event marked the UFC’s return to China after a six-year hiatus. Walker’s victory ended a challenging two-fight losing streak, as he faced a formidable opponent in Zhang, who had been on an impressive 12-fight winning streak.
The 33-year-old Brazilian fighter’s victory came at the expense of Zhang, who had not lost an MMA bout since 2019 and had not gone beyond the first round since 2018. In the opening round, Zhang displayed dominance, landing powerful strikes that pushed Walker to the defensive. However, Walker regrouped during the break and emerged with a new strategy focused on calf kicks.
Turning the Tide
Walker executed his plan effectively, landing two significant calf kicks that ultimately incapacitated Zhang. Following the second kick, Walker seized the opportunity and unleashed a series of ground strikes, forcing the referee to stop the bout at 2:37 of the second round. Walker, now holding a record of 22 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest, celebrated his comeback with a confident statement: “My kick is awesome, right?”
In a show of respect, Walker acknowledged his opponent, saying, “A tough fighter from China, a lot of straight wins. It’s a really good experience to fight a guy that’s very tough. You see, I’m durable. I got some punches in the face today and I keep coming, and then I got him. This is MMA. Amazing, right?” His victory places him at No. 13 in the official UFC rankings, while Zhang now sits at No. 14.
Co-Main Event Highlights
The co-main event featured a highly anticipated matchup between two ranked featherweights, Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega. Although the bout was contested at a catchweight of 153 pounds due to Ortega’s inability to meet the 146-pound limit, Sterling dominated the fight from start to finish. The former bantamweight champion showcased his speed and skill, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 50-45 across all judges’ scorecards.
Sterling’s performance was particularly striking, as he maintained a commanding presence throughout the fight. Ortega, who landed only 7% of his strikes in the first round, struggled to find his rhythm against the quicker Sterling. With this victory, Sterling improved his record to 25 wins and 5 losses, marking his second win in three fights after losing the bantamweight title in 2023. For Ortega, this defeat represented his second consecutive loss and his fifth in the last seven fights.
Heavyweight Clash
In another noteworthy bout, heavyweight fighters Sergei Pavlovich and Waldo Cortes-Acosta clashed in a match that showcased both fighters’ skills. Pavlovich, ranked sixth in the ESPN heavyweight rankings, took control in the third round, ultimately winning by decision with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28. This victory adds to Pavlovich’s impressive record, with eight wins in his last ten fights, despite a previous loss to the champion, Tom Aspinall, less than two years ago.
The event not only highlighted the resilience of Johnny Walker but also provided a platform for other fighters to showcase their abilities. As the UFC continues to expand its global reach, the excitement surrounding events like these underscores the growing popularity of mixed martial arts across diverse audiences.
