Macau, China – November 22: (LR) China’s Zhang Minyan and Ozzie Diaz face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Andaz Macau on November 22, 2024 in Macau, China . (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Light heavyweight Zhang Minyan welcomed Ozzie Diaz to the UFC in the main card opener of UFC Macau on Saturday.
MMA fans may remember Diaz as Joe Pifer’s opponent in the infamous “Be Joe Pifer” bout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.
Mingyan started the action with a kick to the body, followed by a chop to the leg of Ozzie Diaz. Diaz remained on the outside from the beginning, circling as Zhang Minyan continued to break him down with kicks. Diaz finally landed a jab after a minute. One punch, then another. The leg kicks from Mingyo continued. At least a couple had their heads in the back. Mingyan also threw a few combos, but most of them were blocked even when they landed.
Still, one blow changed the course of the battle. Two minutes into the game, Zhang Minyan elbows Diaz into a seat! Chinese light heavyweights then swarmed Diaz as he attempted to kneel. There was some ground and pound, and the referee eventually waved it off, giving Zhang Minyan his second win under the UFC banner and his 18th overall (18 finishes).
“This knockout is for you guys and for the hometown crowd,” Mingyan said after the win, through translator Michael Bisping.
Official result: Zhang Mingyang def. Ozzie Diaz TKO (elbows and punches), round 1, 2:25
