Zhang Lipeng

Zhang Lipeng
Zhang Lipeng
Born	March 10, 1990 (age 36); China
Occupation	Professional mixed martial artist
Years active	2009–present
Known for	Competing in ONE Championship, winner of The Ultimate Fighter: China Welterweight Tournament

Zhang Lipeng (张立鹏; born March 10, 1990) is a Chinese professional mixed martial artist competing in the Lightweight category within ONE Championship. He formerly competed in the UFC’s lightweight division, earning his contract by triumphing in an 8-man tournament on The Ultimate Fighter: China.

Early professional career

Starting his professional journey in 2009, Zhang primarily fought in regional Chinese promotions, accumulating a record of 7–7–1 before securing a place on The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.

The Ultimate Fighter: China

In 2013, Zhang was chosen as a welterweight representative for Team Sky Dragons on the debut season of The Ultimate Fighter: China. He claimed victory in his opening fight via first-round submission due to strikes against Zhu Qingxiang, followed by a second-round kimura submission win over Albert Cheng to advance to the finals.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Zhang made his UFC debut facing fellow contestant Wang Sai in the welterweight finals on March 1, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter: China Finale, winning by split decision. He then moved to lightweight and defeated Brendan O'Reilly by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 48 on August 23, 2014.

On January 18, 2015, Zhang faced Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night 59 but was defeated by unanimous decision. Subsequently, on May 16, 2015, he lost to Kajan Johnson via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 66. After this loss, Zhang was released from his UFC contract.

ONE Championship

Returning to China after his UFC tenure, Zhang Lipeng experienced considerable success with Kunlun Fight, where he became the welterweight champion and won 21 out of his last 24 bouts, including 10 victories by submission and seven by knockout. This impressive run earned him a deal with ONE Championship.

At ONE: Battleground 2 on August 13, 2021, Zhang secured a unanimous decision win over Eduard Folayang. On January 28, 2022, during ONE: Only the Brave, he knocked out Ruslan Emilbek Uulu just 32 seconds into the first round, receiving the Performance of the Night accolade.

Zhang was defeated by Saygid Izagakhmaev via unanimous decision at ONE 161 on September 29, 2022. He bounced back with a first-round technical knockout victory against Timofey Nastyukhin at ONE Fight Night 15 on October 6, 2023, earning another Performance of the Night bonus.

On May 4, 2024, Zhang faced Maurice Abévi at ONE Fight Night 22. Although Abévi missed weight and forfeited part of his purse to Zhang, Zhang lost the contest by unanimous decision.

Most recently, Zhang achieved a first-round knockout over Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE Fight Night 28 on February 8, 2025, which earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

Championships and accomplishments

ONE Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times)

Kunlun Fight
- KLF Welterweight Championship (One reign)
- KLF Lightweight Championship (One reign)
  - One successful title defense

Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Winner of The Ultimate Fighter: China Welterweight Tournament

Mixed martial arts record

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|- |Win |align=center|2–0 | Albert Cheng |Submission (kimura lock) |rowspan=2|The Ultimate Fighter: China | |align=center|2 |align=center|N/A |rowspan=2|Beijing, China | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Zhu Qingxiang |Submission (punches) |(airdate) |align=center|1 |align=center|N/A | |-

External links