A light heavyweight showdown between Zhang Mingyang and former title challenger Anthony Smith served as the co-main event at UFC Fight Night Kansas City. The event took place on April 26 and the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Before the event, Smith was on a two-fight losing streak in the UFC. Mingyang, on the other hand, walked into the fight after winning his last 11 fights in a row. The fight marked “Lionheart”s last appearance inside the UFC Octagon.
UFC Fight Night Kansas City: Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang Highlights
Round 1
Mingyang started by landed some leg kicks on Smith. He then landed a body kick and followed it up with a couple of punches. The Chinese fighter continued to land leg kicks and a few moments later, both fighters traded strikes with each other.
Smith attempted a takedown but did not find much success. “Mountain Tiger” got into top position and started to throw numerous strikes on Smith, leading the referee to intervene and stop the bout.
End of the road for lion heart #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/PbEm9VVdwr
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) April 27, 2025
UFC Fight Night Kansas City: Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang Result
The fight proved to be a short-lived affair as Mingyang scored a TKO victory in the opening round of the fight. In the aftermath, things got heated as Smith seemingly got into a verbal altercation with someone in the audience and proceeded to flip the bird at that person.
With the victory, Mingyang continued his tradition of winning all of his fights inside the first round. In his post-fight Octagon interview, “Mountain Tiger” poked the audiience, asking them to boo him again.
“Hey Kansas City, how do you feel?” said Mingyang. “I know you don’t know who I am but if you don’t know, now you know. Dana [White], talk to me. Who is next?”
After the fight, the UFC played a video package as a send-off for Smith.
Smith responded to the video by saying that he planned on being grateful going forwards.
“I don’t even know what to say… I did that s**t,” said Smith. “I’m gonna have some gratitude… Thank you, Kansas City.”
One last time for Anthony "Lionheart" Smith 👏 #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/eGOeTH7WFG
— UFC (@ufc) April 27, 2025