Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 248

Ozzy Diaz and Zhang Mingyang meet Saturday on the UFC Fight Night 248 main card at Galaxy Arena in Macau. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 4-1
UFC main cards, 2024: 99-90-3

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 preview

Diaz (9-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut in a main card opening spot. After a failed audition on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Diaz navigated his way to the UFC by picking up two stoppage wins in 2024 under the LFA banner. … Zhang (17-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) enters on a double-digit winning streak, and will look to extend it further in his second UFC appearance. In February, Zhang debuted with a first-round finish of Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 298.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 expert pick, prediction

Despite having a guaranteed lightweight action fight between Hayisaer Maheshate and Nicholas Motta stuck on the prelims, the UFC matchmakers decided to kick off the main card with a light heavyweight bout between Zhang and Diaz.

Outside of the UFC brass’ penchant for force-feeding us lower-level big guy brawls on Fight Night cards, I suspect that these two get this quietly important spot due to their do-or-die nature.

Zhang is primarily a first-round finisher and seems like the type of talent who is ripe to start stinking up the joint with slogfests as soon as he starts experiencing any sort of a step up in competition.

Whereas Diaz, who doesn’t have as many fights on paper as Zhang does, is arguably more experienced than the Chinese fighter given what he’s seen on the regional scene.

If Diaz were a bit more durable, then I’d probably take a flier on him as an underdog. But will volatility being equal, I’ll reluctantly side with the more dynamic finisher who doesn’t have to travel for a home-soil fight.

The pick is Zhang by knockout in Round 1.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Chinese fighter, listing Zhang -340 and Diaz +260 via FanDuel.

Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang UFC Fight Night 248 start time, how to watch

As the main card opener, Diaz and Zhang are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 6:10 a.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.