KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jiri Prochazka, the former UFC light heavyweight champ, is no stranger to a scrap. With a 97% finish rate and a knack for leaving opponents crumpled, he’s carved a path of chaos through the division. But on April 26, 2025, an unranked bruiser named Mingyang Zhang threw a curveball, calling out the Czech warrior after a jaw-dropping performance at UFC Kansas City.
Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese fighter, didn’t just win his bout against former title challenger Anthony Smith. He obliterated him. In under three minutes, Zhang landed a first-round TKO that had the T-Mobile Center buzzing. The victory marked Zhang’s 19th finish in 19 career wins—13 by knockout, six by submission—giving him a perfect 100% finish rate. Prochazka’s 97% suddenly had competition.
“I want Jiri Prochazka next,” Zhang declared in a post-fight interview, his voice steady but brimming with hunger. “His style, his spirit—I respect it. But I’m ready to test myself.” The callout, delivered through Full Send MMA, sent ripples through the MMA world. Prochazka, ranked No. 2 in the light heavyweight division, is a towering figure, fresh off back-to-back knockouts of Aleksandr Rakic and Jamahal Hill. Zhang, unranked and relatively unknown, is betting on his fists to bridge the gap.
Prochazka’s recent run has been a rollercoaster. After losing the title to Alex Pereira in 2022 and dropping a rematch in 2024, he’s clawed his way back with stoppage wins that reminded fans why he’s a fan favorite. His only loss in the last 17 fights? Pereira, a man who seems to have his number. Zhang, meanwhile, is riding a wave of momentum. His TKO of Smith, a grizzled veteran, was the biggest scalp of his career, and he’s wasting no time aiming for the top.
The UFC has not yet commented on Zhang’s challenge, and Prochazka, known for his samurai-like focus, hasn’t responded publicly. Matchmakers will likely weigh Zhang’s lack of ranking against his undeniable momentum. For now, the light heavyweight division has a new voice, and it’s shouting Prochazka’s name.
Zhang’s record stands at 19-0, with 13 knockouts and six submissions. Prochazka is 30-5-1, with 26 knockouts and three submissions. The UFC Kansas City event occurred on April 26, 2025.