An unranked fighter from UFC Kansas City is shooting his shot with Jiri Prochazka.
The latest call-out of the former UFC Champion came as a bit of a surprise with Prochazka still in the title picture, ranked #2 in the light heavyweight division.
Jiri Prochazka has only lost to one man in his last 17 fights that being his stone-faced rival Alex Pereira. The Czech fan-favorite bounced back from two of his losses to Pereira with knockouts of Aleksandr Rakic and Jamahal Hill, keeping his insane finish rate near perfection at 97%.
Currently left without a fight, Prochazka had his name dropped by a light heavyweight who, unlike him, has never seen the distance.
Mingyang Zhang calls for Jiri Prochazka after KO of Anthony Smith
A fan of Prochazka’s, Mingyang Zhang is a Chinese knockout artist with a 100% finishing rate (13 KO, 6 SUB).
Minyang’s coming off the biggest win of his career, a monstrous first-round TKO over former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith at UFC Kansas City on Saturday and now the unranked fighter is setting his sights on the very top of the division.
“Next fight, I want Jiri Prochazka,” Minyang told Full Send MMA following his fight.
“I watched your fight in Singapore, and you won your battle in that fight,” Minyang said of Prochazka’s five-round ‘Fight of the Year’ against Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 through a translator.
“I like your style. I respect your your warrior spirit.
“Although you are not the champion anymore, I would like to fight you, to test myself,” Minyang added.
Mingyang Zhang finished his last 12 opponents in the first round
Yet to be tested against the cream of the crop at 205lbs, Mingyang Zhang has made quick work of his opponents in and out of the UFC Octagon.
Mingyang hasn’t lost in over five years, finishing all 12 of his opponents since then inside the opening round with rear-naked chokes and devastating knockouts, his signature.
‘Mountain Tiger’ stopped UFC fighters Tuco Tukkos, Brendson Ribeiro and Ozzy Diaz in minutes to earn a shot at a decent name in Anthony Smith over the weekend.
Jiri Prochazka, an unorthodox striker known to eat punches, has been stopped with strikes four times across his 37-fight career, two of those KO’s belonging to former champ Alex Pereira.
Prochazka showed much improvement in his last fight against Jamahal Hill, evading punches masterfully as he finished his opponent in the final round at UFC 311.