Zhang Mingyang delivered a statement performance at UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates, scoring a dominant first-round TKO victory over former title challenger Anthony Smith. The 26-year-old Chinese powerhouse overwhelmed Smith with a barrage of elbows and punches, forcing the stoppage at 4:03 of Round 1 and earning his third consecutive “Performance of the Night” bonus. With his third straight UFC win—all by knockout in the first round—Mingyang has established himself as a ferocious finisher and an emerging force in the light heavyweight division.

Next up for Zhang Mingyang should be a clash with Volkan Oezdemir. The former title challenger is currently ranked #9 and would represent a significant step up in competition for the newly ranked #14 contender. Oezdemir is coming off a decision loss to Carlos Ulberg but owns knockout wins over the likes of Johnny Walker and Misha Cirkunov. Known for his powerful striking and fast finishes, Oezdemir offers the perfect litmus test to see if Mingyang is ready for the division’s top tier.

Stylistically, a matchup between Mingyang and Oezdemir promises fireworks. Both men are aggressive strikers with a high finishing rate, particularly in the first round. Mingyang’s elbows and close-range power have been his most dangerous weapons, while Oezdemir is lethal with his boxing combinations and counterstrikes. The key to victory for Mingyang will be to avoid Oezdemir’s counters while continuing to press forward with his trademark intensity. For Oezdemir, the challenge will be to use his experience and timing to neutralize Mingyang’s early blitz.

This matchup would be a perfect co-main event for a European or Asian UFC Fight Night card or even a PPV opener. With both fighters ranked and known for their knockout ability, the UFC could market it as a must-watch for fans of high-level violence.

If Mingyang gets past Oezdemir, he would likely crack the top 10 and move into discussions for future title contention. With his youth, finishing ability, and growing popularity in China, Zhang Mingyang could quickly become one of the UFC’s most marketable light heavyweight prospects.

Last Five Fights (Zhang Mingyang):

1. Win over Anthony Smith – TKO (elbows), UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates
2. Win over Ozzy Diaz – TKO (elbow and punches), UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo
3. Win over Brendson Ribeiro – KO (punches), UFC 298
4. Win over Tuko Tokkos – KO (punches), Road to UFC Season 1
5. Win over Huo Changsheng – TKO (punches), WLF W.A.R.S. 52

Last Five Fights (Volkan Oezdemir):

1. Loss to Carlos Ulberg – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo
2. Win over Johnny Walker – KO (punch), UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov
3. Win over Bogdan Guskov – Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac
4. Loss to Nikita Krylov – Decision (unanimous), UFC 280
5. Win over Paul Craig – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

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