2025-04-25T00:01:06Z

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In the world of mixed martial arts, the spotlight is set to shine on Anthony Smith, a former title challenger in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as he prepares for his final fight against the rising star Zhang Mingyang. This highly anticipated bout is scheduled to take place this weekend on April 26, 2025, at the renowned T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Smith, often referred to by his fighting moniker 'Lionheart,' has established a formidable reputation over the past seven years in the UFC, facing some of the most elite fighters in the sport. His upcoming opponent, Zhang Mingyang, however, is a relatively new name on the scene, prompting Smith to admit that he was unfamiliar with Zhang prior to the matchup being proposed by UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard. In a candid conversation on ESPNs 'Good Guy/Bad Guy,' Smith expressed, 'These things go two different ways: you get a young, upcoming monster, or you get a legacy fight with another aging guy. Typically, its the former. I expected it to be someone young, but I had no idea who this kid was, and thats not me being disrespectful I just never heard his name before.'

Despite his initial unfamiliarity with Zhang, Smith conveyed a sense of relief that he would not be facing an easy opponent in his last outing. He remarked, 'Im happy that he is as tough as he is because I would have felt weird coming in here fighting the ghost of somebody else. I didnt want an easy fight. I never asked for an easy fight, so Im happy that this guy will go on, win or lose, to have an incredible run and career in the UFC.' His confidence in Zhangs potential suggests that Smith is looking to leave the sport on a high note, emphasizing the importance of fighting someone with a promising future in the organization.

To put things into perspective, Zhang has an impressive record, boasting a 100 percent finish rate, with all of his victories coming in the first round. This statistic highlights his explosive fighting style and finishing capabilities, making this matchup even more intriguing for fans. Smiths experience, having fought nearly 60 times in combat sports, contrasts sharply with Zhangs rising star status, setting up a classic showdown between seasoned veteran and hungry newcomer.

Fans around the world will not want to miss the action, as MMAmania.com will provide live, round-by-round coverage of the entire UFC Kansas City fight card, starting with the ESPN+ 'Prelims' undercard bouts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN+. To stay updated with the latest news and developments surrounding UFC Kansas City, fans are encouraged to visit the comprehensive event archive.