Johnnie Walker believes his fight with Chang Min-gang will ultimately result in who will land the first punch.
After being shortened by his last two outings, Walker will headline UFC Shanghai inside Shanghai indoor stadium this Saturday and return to his victory column. Standing on Walker’s much-needed victory path is Zhang, a light heavyweight knockout artist who already boasts a first-round finish of three highlight reels within the Octagon.
With 29 career KOs between Zhang and Walker, it’s safe to say that if you step into the main event spotlight, fireworks will fly. But it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be on top.
“Bro, I don’t know. I don’t have any favorites,” Walker told MMA Junkie when asked how things are playing in Shanghai. “Whatever you land in the first place. I like the elbows, I like the knees, I like kicks. I like punches. Whatever you land in the first place.
Overall, Walker is 7-6 under the UFC banner, with some of his biggest wins coming against one-time title challengers Khalil Rountree Jr., Ryan Spann, Paul Craig, and Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith. However, Brazilian bruisers have struggled to find a winning column in the last few years. Since October 2023, Walker has recorded contests and consecutive losses against the current lightweight heavyweight kings Ankaraev and Forkan Ozdemir.
Meanwhile, Zhang has looked like Star the Making since his UFC debut, landing Quick Cos against Blendson Ribeiro, Ozzy Diaz and the aforementioned Anthony Smith.