UFC Macau outcomes: Sooo … About final evening | Yan vs. Figueiredo

Yesterday (Sat., Nov. 23, 2024), Final Combating Championship (UFC) quested forth to Galaxy Area in Macau, SRA, China for UFC Macau. Admittedly, this text ought to be titled “about yesterday morning” if we’re being constant about relative timezones, however that doesn’t have fairly the identical ring, does it? UFC Macau, along with being the promotion’s first go to again to China in half a decade, was one of many uncommon situations the place US-based struggle followers have been pressured to set their alarm to catch the fights (significantly if on the west coast). Fortuitously, those that did pay that entrance value have been rewarded with a ton of knockouts and extremely entertaining occasion, top-to-bottom.

Let’s have a look again over at UFC Macau’s finest performances and methods:

No Mercy Breaks Down Figueiredo

It’s a lot enjoyable to observe Petr Yan in his factor. The previous champion is such a technically gifted fighter; he’s simply doing cool stuff on a regular basis. On this bout alone, there have been brilliantly timed uppercuts, artful close-range head kicks, tough clinch throws, and slick scrambles on the mat.

It was numerous offense for Figueiredo to handle, and cracks in his defenses opened up fairly early. Particularly, that uppercut actually disrupted the Brazilian’s move. Figueiredo’s sport plan was clearly to power the takedown and hunt for an early submission, however that’s a tall order. Even Aljamain Sterling wasn’t in a position to faucet Figueiredo from the again mount in spite of everything, and “Daico” had a extremely troublesome time getting his foe down within the first place.

The wrestling method undoubtedly fatigued Figueiredo, which made it simpler for Yan to slide energy punches round his guard. “No Mercy” subsequently was in a position to construct up an early lead, which is uncommon for him. Figueiredo switched up his assault within the second half of the struggle, opting to wade ahead and swing bombs. He nonetheless wasn’t profitable, however he at the very least managed to harm Yan along with his punches and provides himself an opportunity — the person is critically highly effective, even at 37 years outdated and up a division.

As for Yan, he known as for a rematch with Merab Dvaslishvili after the win. I’m unsure he confirmed something that will produce a distinct outcome, however it’s not the worst reserving possible.

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Xiaonan Yan Rebounds

Again at UFC 300, Xiaonan Yan took a critical beating by the hands of Zhang Weili. Although she had some robust moments and confirmed unimaginable coronary heart, it was affordable to surprise how the 35-year-old expertise would reply after taking so many exhausting photographs.

After styling on Tabatha Ricci, it feels secure to say Yan ain’t going anyplace. She shut down her opponent’s wrestling after which picked her aside for 3 full rounds, touchdown a ton of proper arms within the course of. Ricci was totally outclassed, unable to land greater than a 15 important strikes throughout quarter-hour.

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

WMMA’s Pereira Goes Up In Smoke

The Wang Cong hype prepare was simple to board. Not solely is she skilled in Sanda {and professional} kickboxing, however she already holds a win over Valentina Shevchenko! Add an explosive debut KO into the combo, and it’s no surprise why followers have been hoping she would inject some pleasure within the largely stagnant Flyweight division.

Her undefeated run ended right here, nonetheless, which isn’t to say she fought poorly. Cong really received most of this contest, urgent her opponent and touchdown the heavier punches. Unfortuantely for Cong, Fernandez is a robust striker herself with a jiu-jitsu black belt. She was in a position to change the tide with a heavy left hand counter that shocked Cong, and the Brazilian was in a position to rapidly slide onto the again and power the strangle afterward.

There aren’t numerous girls who might commerce with Cong within the pocket, so this felt like proof that Fernandes is healthier than her earlier UFC file (1-2). As for Cong, she’s nonetheless an attention-grabbing expertise, however there can be no “Poatan”-esque dash to the title combine.

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Two Highway To UFC Champions Topped

Barring an enormous title reign in one other group or shifting to the west outright, Highway to UFC operates as one of many few methods Asian fighters could make their manner onto the UFC roster. At UFC Macau, two finals match ups within the Flyweight and girls’s Strawweight division delivered the violence!

Having been uncovered to her preventing only a single time now, it’s very easy to be a fan of Shi Ming. The Strawweight winner is clearly undersized for the division — she makes Frankie Edgar appear like Michel Pereira! Per the commentary, she’s additionally a physician by day, fighter by evening and her mother and father are unaware of that second career, which sounds just like the setup for an anime protagonist.

Within the struggle itself, the motion was back-and-forth. Ming clearly struggled together with her opponent’s measurement, and her nook implored her that she wanted a KO within the third. As a 6-1 underdog, Ming DELIVERED, squatting low then exploding right into a picture-perfect head kick for simply her second profession knockout win.

South Korea’s Dong Hoon Choi didn’t intend to be outdone within the Flyweight last. His bout versus Kiru Sahota solely final a pair minutes, and Choi spent most of that point shifting round and watching his opponent hit air. When he did have interaction, nonetheless, he made a right away affect, flooring Sahota with a three-punch mixture then rapidly forcing the stoppage.

Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Extra Ideas

• Muslim Salikhov defeats Tune Kenan by way of first-round knockout (highlights): At 40 years of age, Salikhov stays the “King of Kungfu.” The early exchanges have been aggressive, however Salikhov ended the bout straight away along with his signature spinning wheel kick, changing into the primary fighter in UFC historical past to cease two opponents with the strike. It’s his sixth spinning kick end general, and it felt very acceptable that Salikhov gave yet another show of Wushu Sanda in China, the place he spent a lot of his profession competing.
• Zhang Minyang defeats Ozzy Diaz by way of first-round knockout (highlights): Mingyang would possibly simply be one thing particular at 205-pounds. The prospect is a dynamite finisher, having added to his grand whole of 18 wins and 18 first-round finishes. This match up solely lasted a pair minutes, which was all it took for Minyang to time a phenomenal intercept elbow and flooring his Australian opponent. Now 2-0 contained in the Octagon, it’s time to get Minyang within the cage with a extra well-known opponent.
• Xiao Lengthy defeats Quang Le by way of third-round knockout (highlights): Unranked Bantamweights ship greater than most. This was a straight up SCRAP! Each males got here motivated to choose up their first UFC victory, and Le began robust by touchdown the heavier photographs early on. Lengthy discovered his vary within the second, nonetheless, and maybe the benefit of youth — 26 years outdated vs. 33 years of age — helped him draw back huge within the third. His punches have been nonetheless carrying extra snap, and he was in a position to put Le down exhausting with a 1-2 within the last body.

For full UFC Macau outcomes and play-by-play, click on right here.