UFC Shanghai: Johnny Walker reveals personal connection with Zhang Mingyang ahead of high-stakes bout

Ahead of his much-anticipated clash at UFC Shanghai on Saturday night, Johnny Walker has opened up about a surprising personal connection with his opponent, Zhang Mingyang. The Brazilian revealed that he has actually trained alongside Zhang, the opponent he will face in this weekend’s UFC main event.

Their connection came earlier this year when Zhang was preparing for his April clash with Anthony Smith - a fighter Walker has also faced in the past. During that camp, Walker and Zhang spent valuable time working together in the gym.



Now, just months later, the two will meet inside the Octagon, turning their training bond into an intriguing storyline ahead of a high-stakes showdown in the light heavyweight division.

“We trained for his last training camp,” Walker told UFC. “I helped him to prepare for Anthony Smith a little bit, some sparring, some jiu-jitsu, so I know what he is capable of. But he doesn’t know what I am capable of, because when I train with him, it had just hurt my ribs, I couldn’t do much, so he doesn’t know what’s coming, but I know what is coming.”


The upcoming bout is shaping into a classic veteran vs rising star showdown. Walker, who has been part of the UFC since 2018, brings years of experience and several main event appearances to the cage. On the other side, Zhang enters his first main event in just his fourth UFC fight, but he’s quickly built a reputation as a dangerous finisher.

Since joining the roster just over a year ago, Zhang has ended all his fights in the first round, boasting 13 knockouts and six submissions. For Walker, this will be his fourth UFC main event, and after falling short in his previous three, the Brazilian is determined to finally secure a victory under the main event spotlight.

HOW TO WATCH JOHNNY WALKER VS ZHANG MINGYANG FIGHT IN US

• Event: UFC FIGHT NIGHT 257
• Preliminary Card Start Time: 3AM ET
• Main Card Start Time: 6AM ET
• Venue: Shanghai Indoor Stadium, China
• Channel/Streaming: ESPN+

UFC SHANGHAI MAIN CARD MATCHES

• Johnny Walker vs Zhang Mingyang
• Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling
• Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes Acosta
• Sumudaerji vs Kevin Borjas
• Kiefer Crosbie vs Taiyilake Nueraji

UFC SHANGHAI PRELIMINARY CARD MATCHES

• Maheshate vs Gauge Young
• Lone’er Kavanagh vs Charles Johnson
• Rongzhu vs Austin Hubbard
• Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus
• Yizha vs Westin Wilson
• Xiao Long vs SuYoung You
• Uran Satybaldiev vs Diyar Nurgozhay