Johnny Walker delivered a stunning performance at UFC Shanghai, upsetting China’s Zhang Mingyang with a second-round knockout in the main event on Saturday night.
The bout took place at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, where Walker (22-9, 1 NC) showcased his power and striking prowess, ending Zhang’s impressive 12-fight win streak that dated back to 2020.
Zhang (19-7), who made history as the first Chinese male fighter to headline a UFC event in mainland China, entered the contest with rising expectations after scoring three consecutive first-round knockouts in previous fights.
Walker, known for his flashy and unpredictable fighting style, surprised audiences right from the start by attempting a takedown rather than the traditional glove touch.
Although Zhang initially managed to counter Walker’s approach with effective punches, the tide turned in the second round.
Walker targeted Zhang with calf kicks that visibly compromised him, allowing the Brazilian to unleash a flurry of strikes that left Zhang unable to defend himself.
Referee Marc Goddard was forced to step in and halt the fight at the 2:37 mark of Round 2, marking a significant upset in the light heavyweight division.
“Training is training, fight is fight,” Walker exclaimed after the victory, clearly elated with his performance.
“My kick is awesome, right? Now is the definition of the title fight run. I want to see the legendary Polish power [Jan Blachowicz next].”
Walker’s victory was particularly important as it snapped a three-fight winless streak, which included back-to-back knockout losses to now-champion Magomed Ankalaev and Volkan Oezdemir.
In the co-main event, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling also made headlines with a decisive victory over two-time title challenger Brian Ortega.
Sterling conquered the fight with a commanding unanimous decision win, earning 50-45 scores from all three judges, thus placing himself back into title contention.
Ortega (16-5, 1 NC) had a difficult night, especially after struggling at the weigh-ins, leading their featherweight bout to be contested at a 153-pound catchweight.
Sterling (25-5) dominated the action throughout the five rounds, outstriking Ortega by a substantial margin of 124-55 in significant strikes.
In addition to his striking advantage, Sterling also executed three takedowns in the final round, showcasing his all-around skills.
After his victory, Sterling confidently called for a shot at featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, stating, “I think I’ve done enough in this game. Volkanovski is the f***ing man but I would love an opportunity to fight for the title again.”
The main card also featured other exciting bouts, including Sergei Pavlovich’s unanimous decision victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sumudaerji defeating Kevin Borjas by unanimous decision, and Taiyilake Nueraji securing a TKO win against Kiefer Crosbie in the welterweight division.
Notable results from the preliminary card included Gauge Young’s unanimous decision win over Maheshate and Charles Johnson’s second-round knockout of Lone’er Kavanagh.
UFC Shanghai delivered a night filled with memorable moments and action-packed fights, setting the stage for potential future matchups that fans eagerly anticipate.
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