UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang Fight Card, Predictions, & Odds

Ranked light heavyweight contenders Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang will headline the upcoming UFC Shanghai card on Aug. 23 inside the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in China. This marks the return of the promotion in the country since 2019.

Due to his unbeaten streak inside the octagon since his debut, Zhang heads into the match as the betting favorite with -385 UFC odds. Meanwhile, Walker is going to be the +300 betting underdog because of his two-fight skid.

UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang Odds

• Johnny Walker: +300
• Zhang Mingyang: -385

UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang: Prediction

I predict that Zhang would get an early TKO/KO finish against Walker in this light heavyweight featured bout because of the one-punch knockout ability that he possesses. The Chinese MMA powerhouse’s accuracy will be the key to landing his signature power punches.

Although Walker has an unorthodox style, Zhang’s accuracy and precision can effectively nullify and counter it, especially in the early stages of the fight. This is also the reason why I think that Zhang can get the job done in the first or second round.

Walker has shown this struggle against refined strikers in the past, as he has dropped fights to elite strikers Magomed Ankalaev, Corey Anderson, Thiago Santos, and Jamahal Hill. These technical fighters have identified the weaknesses in his unconventional approach.

Additionally, Zhang is on a three-fight win streak, and I expect him to continue this momentum. The energy of the home crowd is another advantage Zhang can utilize, as they have waited over five years to host another fight night card in China.

Johnny Walker’s Recent Fight Results

Walker’s path to the UFC was through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018 after he won unanimously against Henrique da Silva. He made his debut against Khalil Rountree Jr. with a first-round knockout in November 2018. Since then, he won six of his next four fights to become a ranked contender in the light heavyweight division.

However, since 2023, Walker has only fought three times and hasn’t won a bout. In October 2023, his first fight with Magomed Ankalaev ended in a no-contest result. Then, in their rematch in January 2024, he was stopped in the second round via knockout. His most recent fight against Volkan Oezdemir also resulted in a first-round stoppage loss.

Zhang Mingyang’s Recent Fight Results

Zhang was a standout MMA fighter from China, dominating the national and regional scenes in Asia. He racked up an impressive 15-6 pro record with a 100% finish rate before he earned a roster spot with the UFC in 2023.

He made his octagon debut in February 2024 against Brendson Ribeiro and won via first-round stoppage. Zhang immediately added Ozzy Diaz and Anthony Smith to his victim list, with first-round finishes against them last November and April, respectively.

UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang: Tale of the Tape

UFC Shanghai: Walker vs. Zhang Fight Card

• Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang, light heavyweight fight
• Brian Ortega vs. Aljamain Sterling, featherweight fight
• Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Costa Acosta, heavyweight fight
• Sumudaerji vs. Kevin Borjas, flyweight fight
• Taiyilake Nueraji vs. Kiefer Crosbie, welterweight fight
• Maheshate vs. Gauge Young, lightweight fight
• Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Charles Johnson, flyweight fight
• Rongzhu vs. Austin Hubbard, lightweight fight
• Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukus, middleweight fight
• Yizha vs. Weston Wilson, featherweight fight
• Xiao Long vs. Suyong You, bantamweight fight
• Uran Satybaldiev vs. Diyar Nurgozhay, light heavyweight fight