Prediction: Mingyang Zhang via TKO Rd 1
Mingyang Zhang vs. Anthony Smith is a textbook case of a surging, dangerous finisher being lined up against a worn veteran who’s clearly on the decline. The prediction here is Zhang gets a pretty easy finish, and that’s not even a knock on Smith’s legacy—it’s just the reality of where both men are in their careers right now.
Smith has been through it. Over 50 fights, countless wars, and the kind of career mileage that doesn’t just show up physically but mentally too. You can see it in the way he fights now—hesitation, slower reactions, and most importantly, that fire to push through adversity just isn’t consistent anymore. He still has moments of veteran sharpness, and he can still capitalize on mistakes, but when he’s matched up with guys who bring real power and pace, he’s been wilting faster and more visibly than ever before.
Enter Zhang, who’s the exact type of fighter you don’t want to face if you’re slowing down. The moment the bell rings, Zhang comes forward with malicious intent. That’s a nightmare for Smith at this point. Smith’s durability isn’t what it used to be, and more importantly, his reaction time and defensive movement have dropped off. He doesn’t deal with pressure the way he used to. Fighters who force the issue—who throw with volume and intent—are getting to him faster, and he hasn’t been able to bite down and swing momentum back in his favor. Zhang isn’t going to give him the luxury of a slow first round. He’s going to press, and unless Smith finds something early, he’s going to be overwhelmed.
On the ground, Smith does still have sneaky jiu jitsu, but the issue is getting it there. Zhang is strong in the clinch, hard to take down, and doesn’t hang out in vulnerable positions long enough to get caught in transitions. He’s smart about where he lets the fight go, and if he keeps it standing—where he clearly has the edge in power, speed, and explosiveness—Smith won’t be able to match the intensity.