TLDR
- Alonzo Menifield knocked out Zhang Mingyang in the first round at UFC Macau
- The fight was scheduled as a showcase opportunity for Chinese fighter Zhang on home soil
- Menifield dropped Zhang early and forced the referee to stop the bout
- The victory improves Menifield’s recent record to 3-1 in his last four fights
- The bout served as the co-main event under Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Sources: MMA Weekly | Bleacher Report | MMA Weekly
Alonzo Menifield delivered a devastating first-round knockout to Zhang Mingyang at UFC Fight Night in Macau on Saturday. The American light heavyweight spoiled what was supposed to be a showcase fight for the Chinese fighter on his home turf.
The co-main event bout ended before the opening round concluded. Menifield connected early with powerful strikes that dropped Zhang to the canvas.
The referee stepped in to stop the fight after Menifield landed a finishing sequence. Zhang was unable to recover from the initial knockdown.
Fight Billed as Zhang Showcase
UFC organizers had promoted the bout as a breakout opportunity for Zhang in front of his home crowd. The Chinese light heavyweight was expected to use the Macau event to build momentum in the division.
Instead, Menifield’s aggressive approach changed the narrative of the evening. The 36-year-old American fighter came out fast and never allowed Zhang to settle into the fight.
His hands are EXPLOSIVE 🚨
Alonzo Menifield just showed why they call him 'Atomic!'
[ #UFCMacau | LIVE NOW on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/baKfDygZt7
— UFC (@ufc) May 30, 2026
Menifield has now won three of his last four fights inside the octagon. The loss drops Zhang’s record and ends his hopes of using the Macau card as a launching pad.
The knockout came during a chaotic exchange between the two fighters. Both men were throwing heavy punches when Menifield landed the shot that turned the fight.
Menifield Proves Dangerous Factor
The victory reasserts Menifield as a dangerous competitor in the light heavyweight division. He has built a reputation for finishing fights early when he connects with his power shots.
Menifield trains out of Las Vegas and has competed in the UFC since 2018. His knockout power has earned him multiple performance bonuses throughout his career.
Zhang entered the fight looking to capitalize on fighting in front of Chinese fans. The Macau event drew a large crowd hoping to see local fighters succeed.
The main event of the evening featured Chinese bantamweight Song Yadong facing former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Song won that fight via second-round submission with a guillotine choke.
Other fights on the card included Sergei Pavlovich knocking out Tallison Teixeira in the heavyweight division. Japanese fighter Kai Asakura also scored a first-round knockout against Cameron Smotherman in his bantamweight debut.
Menifield’s performance puts him in position for a step up in competition. He currently sits outside the top rankings but has proven capable of beating fighters ranked below the division’s elite tier.
The American fighter called for a higher-ranked opponent in his post-fight comments. UFC matchmakers will now consider where to place him in the light heavyweight hierarchy.
Zhang will need to regroup after the disappointing loss on home soil. The defeat represents a setback for his plans to climb the divisional rankings.
The UFC Macau event took place at the Cotai Arena. The fight card aired on ESPN+ for viewers in the United States.
