Welcome to the live blog preview for the light heavyweight co-main event at UFC Kansas City this Saturday. The highly anticipated bout features veteran Anthony Smith taking on the rising contender Zhang Mingyang at the T-Mobile Center.
Saturday is set to mark Anthony Smith`s 25th appearance inside the octagon, and it could potentially be his final one. As a former challenger for the light heavyweight title, Smith has been a familiar and enduring presence in the UFC roster since 2016. However, with a recent record showing just two wins in his last seven fights, Smith is reportedly considering transitioning to the next phase of his career. Despite this, “Lionheart” is not opting for an easy exit, as he is scheduled to defend his No. 15 ranking against a challenging and quickly ascending opponent in what could be his farewell fight.
While Carlos Prates arguably drew significant attention among fighters debuting in the UFC during 2024, Zhang Mingyang has certainly made his own notable impact. A talent discovered through the Road to UFC series, Zhang competed twice last year and impressively secured first-round knockout victories in both contests. These dominant performances also earned him $50,000 bonuses for Performance of the Night on both occasions. Known by his moniker “Mountain Tiger,” Zhang aims to maintain his perfect 3-0 record in the octagon this Saturday and looks to break into the 205-pound divisional rankings.
Stay tuned and follow the live blog updates for comprehensive coverage of Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang leading up to the fight.
