Zhang Mingyang vs. Anthony Smith squared off in a Light Heavyweight contest earlier tonight (Sat., April 26, 2025) at UFC Kansas City from T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. In a dominant showing, Mingyang battered Smith to an early finish.

Right away, Mingyang opened up with his kicking attack, touching the lead leg often. One nearly knocked Smith over, but he fired back with a big right hand counter. The fight moved into the clinch, and Zhang landed some hard shots from close quarters. Smith continued to advance and landed a couple elbows of his own, but he really got chewed up in the opening couple minutes.

By the second half of the round, Smith’s face was bleeding badly, and his lead leg was unstable. Zhang didn’t take his foot off the gas, prompting an unsuccessful shot. When the takedown failed, Smith went into his defensive shell on bottom position. Zhang kept smashing his opponent with an endless series of elbows, forcing the referee to intervene.

This was a classically unceremonious MMA retirement. Mingyang left Smith laying in a pool of his own blood, dealing heavy damage to the face and lead leg of the veteran. It’s an unfortunate end for “Lionheart,” but Mingyang remains as a promising 205-pound prospect after yet another highlight reel win.

Result: Zhang Mingyang defeats Anthony Smith via first-round knockout

For complete UFC Kansas City results and play-by-play, click here.