Road to UFC: Episode 1 Breakdown and Predictions

Light Heavyweight: Zhang Mingyang Vs. George Tokkos

Tale of the tape

Zhang Mingyang
Qingdao, China
???
6’2″
15-6
7-fight win streak

George Tokkos
London, England
32-years-old
6’3″
7-2
3-fight win streak

Pros and Cons

Zhang Mingyang

Pros

  • Good kicks
  • Heavy ground and pound
  • Athletic
  • Fasy starter

Cons

  • Weak chin
  • TDD needs work
  • Gets drawn into brawls
  • Questionable cardio

George Tokkos

Pros

  • Strong grappler
  • Submission threat
  • Decent wrestling
  • Deceptive power
  • Starts fast

Cons

  • Loads up too much
  • Slows as the fight goes
  • Hands too wind/low
  • Plodding footwork

Prediction: This is the non-tournament bout at Road to UFC 1, taking place at light heavyweight.

Both these fighters have a lot of flaws, making it difficult for either to succeed in the UFC—but it’s obvious this fight is made for Tokkos. Putting it nicely, Mingyang is at the bottom of the division. It’s tough to pinpoint where he’s good at and he struggles everywhere. Even though he has much more experience than Tokkos, the man from the UK has fought much better competition. Tokkos will probably get the submission early and even though he’s not a striker he could knock out Mingyang. Tokkos has fought for Bellator and Fury FC previously.