Zhang Mingyang Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Wife, Parents, Record, UFC, Ranking

Zhang Mingyang, known as “Mountain Tiger,” is a Chinese mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Renowned for his explosive knockout power, he holds an extraordinary record of 19 wins, all by first-round finishes, including 13 knockouts.

As the first Chinese fighter to earn a UFC contract through the Road to UFC program in 2022, Zhang has quickly risen to #14 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings as of June 2025.

His aggressive fighting style and Sanda background have made him a standout prospect in Chinese MMA, captivating fans globally.

Profile

• Full Name: Zhang Mingyang
• Stage Name: Mountain Tiger
• Born: 16 August, 1998
• Age: 26 years old
• Birthplace: Taihe County, Fuyang, Anhui, China
• Nationality: Chinese
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist
• Height: 1.88m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Zhang
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Unnamed
• Children: 1
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $500,000–$1 million USD

Early Life and Education

Zhang Mingyang was born on August 16, 1998, in Taihe County, Fuyang, Anhui, China.

Raised by his parents, whose names are not publicly known, he was nicknamed “Mountain Tiger” by his father, reflecting his birth in the Year of the Tiger and hopes for his bravery. Information about siblings remains undisclosed.

At age seven, Zhang began martial arts training under his uncle, a Shaolin Monastery graduate. By 12, he joined the Shaolin Monastery at his request, later becoming a member of the Shanxi Provincial Sanda Team at 14.

Details about his formal education are not publicly known. He is of Han Chinese ethnicity, his religion is not publicly known.

Career

Zhang Mingyang began his martial arts journey at age 12, training in traditional Chinese martial arts at the Shaolin Monastery.

At 14, he joined the Shanxi Provincial Sanda Team, winning the Shanxi Province Sanda Championship and the Henan and National Youth Sanda Championships by age 13.

Inspired by a UFC video, he transitioned to mixed martial arts, debuting professionally in 2014 at 16 with a second-round submission loss to Han Qingtao.

After a two-year break, he returned in 2016, competing in the Chinese regional scene and securing multiple victories, including a gold medal in the 93kg class at the 2018 Junior World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Zhang’s breakthrough came in 2022 when he fought George Tokkos in a non-tournament bout at Road to UFC Season 1.

Despite being an underdog, he delivered a first-round knockout, earning a UFC contract as the first Chinese fighter to do so through the program.

A 2023 waist injury sidelined him for over a year, forcing him to withdraw from a scheduled UFC 284 bout against Tyson Pedro. Zhang debuted in the UFC on February 17, 2024, at UFC 298, knocking out Brendson Ribeiro in under two minutes, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

His second UFC fight at UFC Fight Night 248 in Macau saw him defeat Ozzy Diaz via a rare elbow-strike knockout, marking the 10th such finish in UFC history and earning another bonus.

Currently, Zhang Mingyang is a top contender in the UFC light heavyweight division, ranked #14 as of June 2025.

His April 2025 fight against Anthony Smith at UFC Kansas City resulted in a dominant first-round TKO, retiring the veteran and earning Zhang his third Performance of the Night bonus.

Training at Xtreme Couture, he is set to face Johnny Walker in the main event at UFC Shanghai on August 23, 2025, aiming to climb closer to the title.

With an undefeated streak since 2019 and all 19 wins by first-round finishes, Zhang’s relentless style and Sanda-honed striking make him a formidable force, with fans and analysts eyeing him as a potential UFC champion.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @zhangmingyang_mma

Personal Life

Zhang Mingyang is married to a former dancer who performed at the CMG New Year’s Gala, though details about her name are unknown.

The couple has one son, though Zhang missed his birth due to training camp commitments. Little is known about his personal life beyond this, as he keeps it private, focusing publicly on his career.

Net Worth

Zhang Mingyang has an estimated net worth of between $500,000 and $1 million USD.

His earnings primarily come from UFC fight purses, enhanced by three Performance of the Night bonuses of $50,000 each for his knockouts against Brendson Ribeiro, Ozzy Diaz, and Anthony Smith.

Additional income stems from his fights in regional promotions like WLF W.A.R.S. and potential sponsorships.