Johnny Walker Scores TKO Victory at UFC Shanghai
Monster Energy’s Johnny Walker earns second-round TKO win over Zhang Mingyang at UFC Fight Night Shanghai, taking home the Performance of the Night bonus.
Monster Energy’s Johnny Walker is back in the win column with a statement victory at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai. In the main event at Mercedes-Benz Arena, the 33-year-old Brazilian fighter delivered a second-round TKO against China’s Zhang Mingyang in a Light Heavyweight showdown.
Walker’s performance not only secured the win but also earned him the UFC’s coveted Performance of the Night bonus, adding a $50,000 payout to his resume. The fight headlined UFC Fight Night 257 and was broadcast live on ESPN+, drawing a packed crowd in Shanghai.
Coming into the bout, Walker (22-9) was looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to Volkan Oezdemir and Magomed Ankalaev. His opponent, Zhang (19-7), entered the Octagon riding a four-fight UFC win streak, including a first-round knockout of Anthony Smith earlier this year. With both fighters hungry for momentum, the stage was set for a high-energy clash.
The fight opened with Walker surprising fans by shooting for a takedown, only to end up defending punches from the bottom. But in Round 2, Walker flipped the script. He launched a series of punishing calf kicks that visibly shook Zhang. After three consecutive kicks dropped Zhang to the canvas, Walker unleashed a barrage of elbows and punches, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight at 2:37 of the second round.
“I got some punches in the face today, and I keep coming. And then I got him. This is MMA. Amazing, right?” Walker said after the fight, reflecting on his resilience and strategy.
The win marks a turning point for Walker, who now sets his sights on a title run. In his post-fight interview, he called out former champion Jan Blachowicz, saying, “My kick is awesome, right? Now is the definition of the title fight run. I want to see the legendary Polish power.”
With renewed momentum and a highlight-reel finish, Johnny Walker is once again a serious contender in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Stay tuned as Monster Energy’s powerhouse fighter continues his climb toward championship gold.
