Latest news with #Mingyang
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Potential role for Chinese firm in key UK windfarm attracts government scrutiny
Ministers are weighing up proposals for a Chinese company to supply wind turbines for a major offshore windfarm in the North Sea. The government is in discussions with Green Volt North Sea over whether Mingyang, China's biggest offshore wind company, should supply the wind turbines. Mingyang has emerged as the preferred manufacturer, but the company has sought advice from ministers on whether to proceed. Green Volt, which is jointly owned by Flotation Energy, a Scottish company and Vårgrønn, a Norwegian one, is constructing the first commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm in Europe. The project will deliver electricity to oil and gas platforms, replacing power currently generated by gas and diesel turbines, and provide electricity to the UK grid. The decision over whether to source its wind turbines from Mingyang will be closely scrutinised after the government stepped in to take control of British Steel amid claims that its Chinese owner, Jingye Group, wanted to shut down its Scunthorpe plant to make the UK a dumping ground for Chinese steel. The incident triggered calls for Chinese companies to be locked out of involvement with critical national infrastructure. Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, said at first that he would not bring another Chinese company into the British steel sector before softening his position. Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, travelled to China earlier this spring to discuss closer cooperation on energy and climate. The decision over whether Mingyang can supply the turbines is not subject to any formal government process, but the company is unlikely to proceed if ministers say they have security concerns. The Sun reported three months ago that some officials in the Ministry of Defence and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero had raised concerns about the proposed deal. Green Volt has been waiting for a verdict from the government for weeks, according to people familiar with the discussions. An industry source said the UK did not currently have the heavy manufacturing capability to produce the turbines domestically. 'They have tried to get European manufacturers to no avail,' the source said of Green Volt. 'Miliband is on to something here. We all want to get to where he wants to get to, but if it's not from Chinese companies, who is going to [supply wind turbines] to us?' The project would be an important contributor to the government's mission to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Progress towards that suffered a blow this week when the Danish company Ørsted cancelled its plans to build one of the UK's largest offshore windfarms, the Hornsea 4 project. Ministers are hopeful that Ørsted will return to the table, however. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Mingyang has also come under scrutiny in Germany, where it is supplying wind turbines for the Waterkant offshore windfarm. The Guardian contacted Mingyang for comment. A Green Volt spokesperson said: 'We are developing the largest commercial-scale, floating offshore windfarm in the world, working to hugely ambitious timelines to deliver the government's goal of 43-50 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Having secured a contract for difference from the government last year, we are identifying supply chain partners to help us build the windfarm. As yet, no turbine supplier has been confirmed for Green Volt. We will comply with any government regulation and guidance around security of critical national infrastructure in the selection of all our suppliers.' A government spokesperson said: 'We would never let anything get in the way of our national security, and while we would not comment on individual cases, investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny. 'We are undergoing rigorous processes to look at the role of China in our supply chain and investment in critical infrastructure – taking into account the national security considerations, as well as our need for investment in the supply chain.'
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Zhang Mingyang calls out Jiri Prochzaka after UFC Kansas City finish of Anthony Smith
Zhang Mingyang calls out Jiri Prochzaka after UFC Kansas City finish of Anthony Smith Chinese light heavyweight has 12 straight first-round wins, three straight UFC bonuses. Zhang Mingyang is looking for a big step up in competition after UFC on ESPN 66. Mingyang (19-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) scored yet another first-round TKO when he stopped Anthony Smith (37-22 MMA, 13-12 UFC) in Saturday's co-main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. With the rising light heavyweight continuing to make quick work of his opposition, Mingyang thinks it's time he aimed high. He called out former champion Jiri Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC), who's coming off a knockout of fellow ex-champ Jamahal Hill at UFC 311. "Next fight, I want Jiri Prochazka," Mingyang told Full Send MMA after the win. "I watched your fight in Singapore, and you won your belt in that fight. I like your style. I respect your warrior spirit. Although you are not the champion anymore, I would like to fight you to test myself." Mingyang embraced the boos from the crowd after he spoiled Smith's retirement party. "Boo me again, let me hear that," Mingyang said in his post-fight octagon interview. "I know you don't know who I am, but if you don't know, now you know."
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Kansas City results: Anthony Smith brutally stopped by Zhang Mingyang in bloody retirement bout
Anthony Smith did not get his fairytale ending. The longtime UFC veteran suffered a brutal stoppage loss at the hands of China's Zhang Mingyang in his retirement bout on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Kansas City, which took place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Mingyang finished Smith under a hailstorm of grounded elbows at the 4:03 mark of the opening round to send Smith into retirement on a three-fight losing streak. Advertisement "I felt OK, but once I got clipped with that elbow, it was bleeding in my eyes," Smith said afterward. "He does a great job in the clinch. Listen, at the end of the day, five years ago that's a beatable guy. Here I am, I'm aging. It is what it is, father time wins tonight. "Every single one of you made an impact on my life. When I started this game, I was homeless, I had nothing going for me. And now this platform has allowed me to raise my family, my four beautiful daughters, and give them a life I've never been able to have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much." Despite his emotional night, Smith (38-22) was given no quarter by Mingyang (19-6) from the opening horn. The light heavyweight up-and-comer split Smith open with a step-in elbow early in the first round, leaving blood pouring into his eyes. Mingyang continued to blast Smith with standing elbows, then did more of the same once Smith hit the floor, leaving "Lionheart" in a pool of his own blood as referee Jason Herzog stepped in to wave off the action. Advertisement Smith, 36, debuted in the UFC for a one-fight stint in 2013 but didn't start his true Octagon run until his second chance began in 2016. Smith won seven of his first nine appearances given that second opportunity, including a destructive 3-0 streak after jumping up from middleweight to light heavyweight. That culminated in a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title against Jon Jones, which Smith lost via unanimous decision, however he earned widespread respect for refusing to game the system and end the fight on a Jones disqualification after sustaining an illegal knee to the head from the then-champion. Smith went 6-8 over his final 14 Octagon appearances following that title shot, remaining a mainstay of the 205-pound contender rankings all the way through his farewell bout on Saturday. Over the course of his 17-year MMA career, Smith earned notable victories over former UFC champions Mauricio Rua and Rashad Evans, former Bellator champion Hector Lombard, plus UFC title challengers Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir. Smith's world was rocked this past November following the untimely death of his longtime coach Scott Morton, which "Lionheart" admitted this week helped to shepherd his transition into retirement. Advertisement Smith ultimately exits the sport with a 13-12 record compiled over 25 UFC bouts. "I don't mean this to sound cocky or arrogant, but I've never, until now, felt like I've done something worth celebrating," Smith told Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I've never felt like I should be celebrated. It's never a thing I've looked for, but I feel like now I've f***ing put in a career that I should be proud of, and I should deserve to be able to celebrate it and be happy about it. Whether I did win a world title or not. That was always the goal. I didn't think I'd ever be happy if I didn't win it, but I found myself in a place where I didn't win the world title, and that's OK because it wasn't for lack of effort. I tried really, really, really f***ing hard, and I'm just going to celebrate what I was able to do. Advertisement "I came from nothing. People like me that come from where I come from don't do things like this. They just don't, and I should be happy that it happened and not allow myself to just think about the things I didn't accomplish." For complete UFC Kansas City results and highlights, as well as play-by-play of the Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates main event, check out Uncrowned's event hub here.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 66 results: Zhang Mingyang spoils Anthony Smith's retirement party
UFC on ESPN 66 results: Zhang Mingyang spoils Anthony Smith's retirement party Zhang Mingyang picked up another violent finish at UFC on ESPN 66, spoiling Anthony Smith's retirement party. Anthony Smith made his final walk to the UFC's octagon Saturday evening, but unfortunately, he won't retire after a victory. Playing the role of spoiler was Zhang Mingyang, who proved too much for Smith (37-22 MMA, 13-12 UFC) to handle. The light heavyweight fight served as the UFC on ESPN 66 co-main event at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo. Mingyang (19-6 MMA, 3-0 UFC) remained undefeated in the UFC by stopping Smith with heavy ground and pound at 4:03 of Round 1. It didn't take long for the action to heat up. Strikes were exchanged almost immediately as the crowd chanted "U-S-A." Mingyang went first with heavy strikes, forcing Smith to play a counter game early on. Smith landed a few solid step-in elbows, but Mingyang did as well, slicing open a nasty cut on his forehead. At the sight of the pouring blood, Mingyang turned up the pressure, hunting for a finish. Smith turtled up on the ground while looking to survive the onslaught of heavy ground and pound. Mingyang continued to pour on the damage until referee Jason Herzog saw enough to stop the fight. With the result, Mingyang improves to 3-0 in the UFC, all by way of first-round finish. China's 26-year-old finisher entered this fight on the heels of back-to-back opening-round finishes of Brendson Ribeiro and Ozzy Diaz. During his post-fight interview, Mingyang leaned into the boos from the crowd, taunting with a message in English. "I know you don't know who I am, but now you know," Mingyang said. Smith was given time on the mic to deliver a few final remarks as he walks into retirement. "Lionheart" thanked everyone on the UFC staff for changing his life for the better. A video package featuring Jelly Roll played highlights of Smith's career in the UFC with comments from multiple UFC personalities. Smith was shown in a picture-in-picture view, wiping away tears. After it was all done, Smith left his gloves in the center of the octagon. Smith, 36, walks away from the sport on a three-fight skid. The former light heavyweight title challenger was surrounded by his family for his retirement fight and was given plenty of praise by the UFC broadcast and the fans in Kansas City. Not many athletes get two stints in the UFC with over 20 fights, and fewer get the chance to fight for a UFC title. Smith did all that and now walks away from the game as a fighter to turn his attention to broadcasting and other post-combat career ventures. Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 66 results include:
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC free fight: Watch Zhang Mingyang torch Ozzy Diaz in under three minutes
UFC free fight: Watch Zhang Mingyang torch Ozzy Diaz in under three minutes Zhang Mingyang rarely sees a second round. Relive the moment he finished his second UFC opponent in rapid fashion. Zhang Mingyang fights like he's double-parked outside. At Saturday's UFC on ESPN 66, Mingyang (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) fights former title challenger Anthony Smith (37-21 MMA, 13-11 UFC), who will be fighting for the last time. Prior to the fight at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., relive Mingyang's latest victory, which was his 15th consecutive fight to end in the opening round. Mingyang fought Ozzy Diaz at UFC Fight Night 248 in November, which didn't last long. The light heavyweight bout in Macau ended quickly after Mingyang landed a short elbow and then capitalized with ground and pound to record his second UFC victory and maintain his 100 percent finish rate. Check out a replay of the full fight in the video above before Mingyang meets Smith Saturday.
