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Prediction, pick for Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang

Prediction, pick for Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang

Sports Betting Picks UFC DraftKings Network

Published:

By: Ryan Wohl

Zhang Mingyang is headlining Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in his home country of China. He is facing No. 14 Johnny Walker in a five-round Light Heavyweight contest. Mingyang has won his first three UFC fights by three straight first-round knockouts. In 2024, Walker lost his previous two bouts via KO/TKO.

Here is my best bet for the main event of this week’s UFC Fight Night between Johnny Walker vs. Zhang Mingyang. The Main Card for this event starts at 6:00 a.m. ET on August 23.

Zhang Mingyang Round 1 (-160)

Mingyang is coming off his most significant win of his career against veteran Anthony Smith. However, he will now face another veteran in Walker, who is also a talented striker. Even though Walker is talented, he hasn’t won a fight since May 2023.

On DraftKings Sportsbook, Mingyang is a massive -375 favorite with Walker being a +295 underdog. Mingyang is also a big -280 favorite to win via KO/TKO/DQ. With the odds being this lopsided, let’s look at a different way to back the hometown fighter.

Mingyang is 19-6 in his MMA career, with all 19 wins coming in the first round. Even though he has a seven-year UFC veteran in front of him, Mingyang’s striking should be enough to overwhelm Walker early in this contest. With Mingyang being such a quick finisher, you can get him to beat Johnny Walker in the first round at -160.


Ryan Wohl

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.