Riding a nine-fight win streak into UFC 298 on Saturday was Chinese “Mountain Tiger” Zhang Mingyang, making his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Brendson Ribeiro.
The light heavyweight fight kicked off the Anaheim, California-based televised prelims. And did so in style.
While Mingyang had made a non-tournament appearance on Road to UFC, Ribeiro had come into the promotion via the Contender Series.
When the fight started Ribeiro popped Mingyang with a jab and a short flurry afterwards. He was letting his hands go early. Mingyang obliged sitting in the pocket and trading. Just as Ribeiro was getting confident Mingyang floored Ribeiro with a left jab to a right hook and then a left hook. Mingyang followed up with some extra punches putting the Brazilian out cold.
“To be honest I wanted to spend more time in the octagon, but when my fist touched his face, I thought, that feels good, and wanted to finish him,” Zhang said via translator, speaking to Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview. Mingyang then called out Alex Pereira for a main event fight at UFC 300, before asking Dana White for a post-fight bonus. Can’t blame the guy for trying!
Official Result: Zhang Mingyang def. Brendson Ribeiro by knockout (punches), round 1, 1:41
