Zhang Mingyang

Zhang Mingyang (Chinese: ; The nickname 'Mountain Tiger' was given to him by his father since he was born in the year of the Tiger and also because his father hoped he would become brave like one.

At age fourteen, Zhang was selected to become a member of the Shanxi Provincial Sanda Team. Despite his family's dissuasion, he left his hometown to move to Qingdao in Shandong province. He joined Sunkin Fight which is a subsidiary of Sunkin Group, a real estate company. This victory made Zhang the first Chinese fighter to win a UFC contract in the Road to UFC program.

In 2023, Zhang was originally scheduled to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284. However Zhang had to withdraw due to a significant waist injury that kept him away from fighting for over a year. However, the bout was postponed due to the event's change of location and visa issues, and was rescheduled for UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. Zhang won the fight via knockout in the first round. This fight earned his first Performance of the Night award.

On November 23, 2024, Zhang faced Ozzy Diaz at UFC Fight Night 248. He won via TKO in the first round via an elbow strike at distance. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

On April 26, 2025, Zhang faced Anthony Smith for his retirement fight at UFC on ESPN 66. He won via TKO in the first round via elbows. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Zhang faced Johnny Walker on August 23, 2025 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 257. He lost the fight by technical knockout via leg kicks and punches in the second round.

Zhang faced Alonzo Menifield on May 30, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 277. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the first round. This fight earned him a $100,000 Fight of the Night award.

Personal life Zhang is married. His wife was previously a dancer who participated on the CMG New Year's Gala.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Wu Lin Feng 2021 WLF Heavyweight Tournament winnerMMA Fighting'' 2024 Second Team MMA All-Star

Sanda 2012 Henan Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place 2012 National Youth Sanda Championship − 1st place

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Alonzo Menifield TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo

Macau SAR, China Fight of the Night. Loss

Johnny Walker TKO (leg kicks and punches) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang

Shanghai, China Win

Anthony Smith TKO (elbows) UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night. Win

Ozzy Diaz TKO (elbow and punches) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo

Macau SAR, China Performance of the Night. Win

Brendson Ribeiro KO (punches) UFC 298

Anaheim, California, United States Performance of the Night. Win

Tuco Tokkos KO (punches) Road to UFC Season 1: Episode 1

Kallang, Singapore Return to Light Heavyweight. Win

Huo Changsheng TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 52

Maotai, China Win

Zhang Caibao TKO (punches)

Won the WLF Heavyweight Tournament. Win

Kong Handong TKO (knees and punches)

WLF Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. Win

Zhang Caibao TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 49

Zhengzhou, China Win

Tian Hongyan TKO (punches)

Won the Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix. Win

Ma Anding Submission (rear-naked choke)

Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal. Win

Huo Changsheng TKO (punches)

Return to Heavyweight. Huya FC Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. Win

Alireza Vafaei Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 41

Zhengzhou, China Loss

Luan Aguirre Elias Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 39

Zhengzhou, China Win

Nosherwan Khanzada TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 36

Zhengzhou, China Heavyweight bout. Win

Nader Ishakov TKO (punches) Tatfight 9: China vs. Tatarstan

Kazan, Russia Loss

Askar Mozharov KO (punch) YunFeng Duel

Yantai, China Loss

Sergey Pogodaev TKO (punches) MFP 220

Khabarovsk, Russia Light Heavyweight debut. Win

Aorigele Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight King: Gold Belt Contest

Xian'an, China Heavyweight debut. Win

Sayama Submission (armbar) YunFeng Showdown 8

Yantai, China Catchweight (198 lb) bout. Loss

Koji Shikuwa Decision (unanimous) Kunlun Fight MMA 11

Jining, China Loss

John Vake KO (punches) Kunlun Fight: Cage Fight Series 6

Yiwu, China Catchweight (190 lb) bout. Win

Puriya Nemati Submission (rear-naked choke) CKF 08/13

Qingdao, China Catchweight (190 lb) bout. Win

Atta Izzatullo TKO (punches) WBK 16: Day 2

Qingdao, China Middleweight debut. Win

Zhang Caibao Submission (rear-naked choke) 2016 Xinjiang Oriental Summit

Qingdao, China Catchweight (198 lb) bout. Loss

Han Qingtao Submission (guillotine choke) CKF 12/30

Qian'an, China Catchweight (202 lb) bout.