"Johnny Walker crumbled Zhang Mingyang on Saturday handing the "Mountain Tiger" his first loss in six years and 12 fights. Zhang, who entered the fight ranked at #14 in the division is now 3-1 within the UFC. Walker entered the fight ranked at #13. Tough loss that kills a lot of momentum for Zhang, as that would have been a massive victory and feather in his cap, in front of his home country as well."
"A good next opponent for the 27-year-old light heavyweight would be against the winner of Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig. Now this might be a bit of a head scratcher matchup, but Zhang is still young, has a solid record and plenty of time to ascend the ranks. Why rush? Paul Craig and Modestas Bukauskas are scheduled to fight on September 6th so the timing could be perfect."
"Craig is a nearly 10-year UFC vet with a 9-9-1, 1 NC record with the UFC. Craig moved up to light heavyweight after a three-fight skid at 185lbs, losing to big names like Brendan Allen, Caio Borralho and Bo Nickal. His most recent fight, against Rodolfo Bellato, ended in a no contest from an up kick. Bukauskas is 6-4 within the UFC and has won three of his last four fights."
UFC Shanghai produced a second-round finish as Johnny Walker defeated Zhang Mingyang, ending Zhang's six-year, 12-fight unbeaten run. Zhang entered the bout ranked #14 and is now 3-1 in the UFC, while Walker was ranked #13. The loss halts Zhang's momentum and cost a potential high-profile home-country victory. A suggested next matchup is against the winner of Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig, scheduled for September 6. Paul Craig is a near 10-year UFC veteran who recently moved to light heavyweight after a three-fight skid, while Bukauskas is 6-4 in the UFC with three wins in his last four fights.
Read at Cageside Press
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