Johnny Walker defied the odds to secure a surprising second-round TKO victory over local favorite Zhang Mingyang at UFC Fight Night in Shanghai. The Brazilian fighter overcame a rocky first round to claim an impressive win in the main event of UFC's latest venture into the Chinese market.
Walker, who entered the octagon on the back of two consecutive losses, strategically took the fight to the ground early, clearly aware of his vulnerability in striking exchanges. Despite this approach, the first round proved troublesome for the Brazilian as Zhang connected with several damaging shots, sending Walker to his corner visibly hurt.
"UFC Shanghai" delivered an exciting night of fights with the co-main event featuring former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling against veteran Brian Ortega in a catchweight bout. Sterling dominated the action from the opening bell, consistently landing jabs and controlling the pace throughout the five-round contest.
The Jamaica-born fighter looked comfortable throughout, neutralizing Ortega's offense with superior movement and striking accuracy. While Ortega attempted to increase his output in the final round, Sterling secured the victory by taking the fight to the ground, ultimately earning a unanimous decision from the judges.
Walker's comeback was particularly noteworthy. After weathering an early storm, he found his opportunity in the second round, landing a devastating low kick that compromised Zhang's mobility. The Brazilian capitalized immediately, following up with ground and pound to secure the finish much to the disappointment of the local crowd.
By the way, Sterling wasted no time making his intentions clear after his victory, immediately placing himself among the contenders for Alexander Volkanovski's featherweight championship. His comfortable performance against a seasoned veteran like Ortega certainly strengthens his case for a title shot.
Could Walker's surprising victory mark a turning point in his career after recent struggles? Only time will tell, but this performance in hostile territory certainly shows there's plenty of fight left in the Brazilian.
