ANAHEIM, California – A new force has emerged in the UFC light heavyweight division.
In front of a national audience on ESPN, Zhang Mingyang delivered an impressive knockout victory over Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 298 held at Honda Center.
The finish came in the first round, at the 1:41 mark, when Mingyang (17-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) executed a well-timed counter left hand, followed by a devastating three-punch combination that sent Ribeiro (15-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) crashing to the canvas. The referee had to intervene after a couple of unnecessary hammerfists, signaling the end of the fight.
Watch the video below to see the spectacular finish (via X):
Zhang Mingyang with a brutal hook 🪝 #UFC298 pic.twitter.com/tYemtjRjv5
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 18, 2024
At 25 years old, Mingyang made history as the first Chinese light heavyweight fighter to compete in the UFC. With this victory, he becomes the first Chinese fighter in the 205-pound division to secure a win.
Filled with confidence after his triumph, Mingyang called out champion Alex Pereira for a potential match at UFC 300. While it may be premature, Mingyang has the potential to become a notable presence in the division.
The latest results from UFC 298 are as follows:
According to the Source mmajunkie.usatoday.com