Johnny Walker delivered a stunning knockout against Zhang Mingyang in the light heavyweight main event at UFC Shanghai on August 23, 2025, inside the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, China. The second-round finish at 3:12 showcased Walker’s power and resilience, ending Zhang’s unbeaten UFC streak. The event aired live on ESPN+, with fans on X praising Walker’s performance.
The stoppage marked Walker’s first knockout win since 2023, boosting his contender status.
Round One
Walker opened with a low kick, testing Zhang’s defense. Zhang responded with a hard right hand, pushing Walker back. Walker landed a spinning back fist, but Zhang countered with a body shot. Both fighters exchanged jabs, with Zhang landing a clean left hook. Walker attempted a flying knee late, but Zhang blocked it. The round was close, scored 10-9 for Zhang due to cleaner strikes.
Round Two
Walker started aggressively, landing a heavy calf kick that buckled Zhang’s leg. Zhang tried a takedown, but Walker stuffed it and landed a knee to the body. Another low kick from Walker dropped Zhang, who struggled to stand. Walker pounced with ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at 3:12.
Watch the highlights below:
HERE. WE. GO! 👊
Expect fireworks as your main event @JohnnyWalker and Zhang Mingyang is underway NOW! #UFCShanghai 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/ZPEsNlU9MX
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) August 23, 2025
Johnny Walker beat the shit out of Zhang came out of no where 🤯🔥 #UFCShaghai pic.twitter.com/CvkA57sCt8
— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) August 23, 2025
The winning pose 📸
[ #UFCShanghai | @JohnnyWalker ] pic.twitter.com/oKWSiCsK2N
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2025
Johnny Walker began MMA in 2013, going 10-3 regionally before joining the UFC in 2018. His UFC record is 7-6 with one no-contest, with wins over Khalil Rountree Jr. (2018), Misha Cirkunov (2019), and Ion Cutelaba (2022). He lost to Jamahal Hill (2022) and Magomed Ankalaev (2023, 2024). His no-contest was against Ankalaev in 2023 due to an illegal knee. His overall MMA record is 22-9 with one no-contest.
Zhang Mingyang started MMA in 2017, going 16-6 regionally before joining the UFC in 2024. His UFC record is 3-1, with wins over Brendson Ribeiro (2024), Joshua Silveira (2024), and Tuco Tokkos (2024) before losing to Walker. His overall MMA record is 19-7.
