33-Year-Old from Brazil Earns Second-Round TKO Victory in Light Heavyweight Division Bout, Claims UFC's $50,000 Performance of the Night Bonus

SHANGHAI, Aug. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Back in the victory column! Monster Energy congratulates MMA athlete Johnny Walker on defeating Zhang Mingyang in the main event fight at the UFC Fight Night in Shanghai on Saturday night. In the Light Heavyweight division bout on the Main Card, the 33-year-old from Belford Roxo, Brazil, stopped his opponent with a devastating TKO in Round 2. The dominant stoppage also earned the Brazilian the UFC's Performance of the Night Bonus with a $50,000 payout.

UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, also known as UFC Fight Night 257, was contested in front of a live crowd inside Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China. Featuring five fights on the Main Card, the event was broadcast live on the ESPN+ service.

Monster Energy's Walker (22-9) was looking for a win after recently losing to Volkan Oezdemir at a UFC Fight Night in April 2024 and a loss to Magomed Ankalaev in January 2024. Time to get back in the winner's circle!

Walker's opponent, Chinese athlete Zhang (19-7), stepped into the Octagon on a four-fight winning streak in the UFC. Most recently, Zhang stopped Anthony Smith with a first-round knockout at a UFC Fight Night in April 2025 and had won his last nine fights via knockout.

Energy levels were high for the Main Event fight between Walker and Zhang. In the opening moments, Walker surprised his opponent by shooting for a takedown but ended up on his back fighting off hard punches from the top.

In the second round, Walker dialed up his aggression and pursued Zhang with heavy calf kicks that visibly stunned his opponent. When three consecutive calf kicks took Zhang to the canvas, Walker unleashed a brutal volley of punches and elbows until it was all over.

At 2:37 minutes of Round 2, referee Marc Goddard stepped in to end the fight to award Walker the victory by TKO. Walker also received an extra $50,000 for the Performance of the Night at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.

"A tough fighter from China, a lot of straight wins. It's a really good experience to fight a guy who's very tough. You see, I'm durable. I got some punches in the face today, and I keep coming. And then I got him. This is MMA. Amazing, right?" said Monster Energy's Walker upon taking the win at UFC Fight Night Shanghai.

What's next for Walker after the victory? "My kick is awesome, right? Now is the definition of the title fight run. I want to see the legendary Polish power," said Walker after the fight, calling out Jan Blachowicz as his next opponent. Stay tuned!

Monster Energy's elite UFC athletes include Jon Jones, Alex Pereira, Belal Muhammad, Dricus Du Plessis, Merab Dvalishvili, Valentina Shevchenko, Zhang Weili, Marlon Vera, Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje, Brandon Moreno, Giga Chikadze, Johnny Walker, Sean Strickland, Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Daniel Zellhuber, Derrick Lewis, Alexa Grasso, Raul Rosas Jr., Tatsuro Taira, Shara Magomedov, Patricio Pitbull, Maycee Barber, Aaron Pico, Patchy Mix, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Kayla Harrison.

For more on Monster Energy's MMA athletes, visit www.monsterenergy.com. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser.

About Monster Energy

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.

CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: kim.dresser@indiepragency.com 

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