UFC light heavyweight Mingyang Zhang has an important role as Anthony Smith’s retirement fight at UFC Kansas City on Saturday night.
Zhang knows how important the fight is to Smith, but also to himself.
“I think a win over Anthony Smith this Saturday will bring my career into another level,” Zhang told reporters on Wednesday.
“A higher level, but to me, after this fight just keep working. Keep moving. Never stop.”
Zhang (18-6) comes into the fight with two consecutive victories over Brendson Ribeiro and Ozzy Diaz respectively. He expects Smith, who has said publicly this will be his final professional MMA fight, to come for the win.
“Anthony needs a perfect retirement fight. He wants to win, and to me, I also need a win. I need to show the world what I can do in the octagon. Both of us need this fight. It’s going to be an amazing fight,” he said.
A win over a former title challenger and longtime UFC veteran could bring Zhang into the rankings. He’s not picky on opponents as long as they have a number next to their name.
“I would like to fight whoever. Top 15, top 10, top 5. Even the champ. If he would take the fight. Anywhere, anytime,” said Zhang.
“I just want more fights, more wins, to show myself.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Mingyang Zhang above. He takes on Anthony Smith at UFC Kansas City on Saturday night.
