Anthony Smith’s final stroll to the octagon is anticipated to happen in April.
A number of individuals with information of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Combating that Smith is focused to face Zhang Mingyang at UFC Kansas City on April 26. Kangzif on Twitter was first to report the matchup.
Smith will look to wrap up his profession following his 59th skilled combat, and twenty fifth octagon look. The one-time title challenger enters the bout with back-to-back losses to Roman Dolidze and Dominick Reyes to cap off 2024, however began the 12 months with a submission win in opposition to Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 this previous Might.
Zhang brings a powerful 11-fight win streak into his largest profile matchup with the chance to enter the UFC’s gentle heavyweight rankings. “Mountain Tiger” earned a contract after a sensational knockout on Street to UFC in 2022, and made his octagon debut at UFC 298 a 12 months in the past, knocking out Bendson Ribiero within the first spherical. The 26-year-old adopted that up with one other opening-round knockout win over Ozzy Diaz at November’s UFC Macau occasion.
Damon Martin contributed to this report.
