Zhang Mingyang is looking for a big step up in competition after UFC on ESPN 66.
Mingyang (19-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) scored yet another first-round TKO when he stopped Anthony Smith (37-22 MMA, 13-12 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. With the rising light heavyweight continuing to make quick work of his opposition, Mingyang thinks it’s time he aimed high.
He called out former champion Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who’s coming off a knockout of fellow ex-champ Jamahal Hill at UFC 311.
“Next fight, I want Jiri Prochazka,” Mingyang told Full Send MMA after the win. “I watched your fight in Singapore, and you won your belt in that fight. I like your style. I respect your warrior spirit. Although you are not the champion anymore, I would like to fight you to test myself.”
Mingyang embraced the boos from the crowd after he spoiled Smith’s retirement party.
“Boo me again, let me hear that,” Mingyang said in his post-fight octagon interview. “I know you don’t know who I am, but if you don’t know, now you know.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Zhang Mingyang calls out Jiri Prochzaka after UFC Kansas City win
Zhang Mingyang is looking for a big step up in competition after UFC on ESPN 66.
Mingyang (19-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) scored yet another first-round TKO when he stopped Anthony Smith (37-22 MMA, 13-12 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. With the rising light heavyweight continuing to make quick work of his opposition, Mingyang thinks it’s time he aimed high.
He called out former champion Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who’s coming off a knockout of fellow ex-champ Jamahal Hill at UFC 311.
“Next fight, I want Jiri Prochazka,” Mingyang told Full Send MMA after the win. “I watched your fight in Singapore, and you won your belt in that fight. I like your style. I respect your warrior spirit. Although you are not the champion anymore, I would like to fight you to test myself.”
Mingyang embraced the boos from the crowd after he spoiled Smith’s retirement party.
“Boo me again, let me hear that,” Mingyang said in his post-fight octagon interview. “I know you don’t know who I am, but if you don’t know, now you know.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Zhang Mingyang calls out Jiri Prochzaka after UFC Kansas City win
