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

Yesterday (Sat., Nov. 23, 2024), Final Preventing Championship (UFC) quested forth to Galaxy Enviornment in Macau, SRA, China for UFC Macau. Admittedly, this text needs 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 cases the place US-based struggle followers have been pressured to set their alarm to catch the fights (notably if on the west coast). Thankfully, those that did pay that entrance worth 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 strategies:

No Mercy Breaks Down Figueiredo

It’s a lot enjoyable to look at Petr Yan in his component. 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 a number of offense for Figueiredo to handle, and cracks in his defenses opened up fairly early. Specifically, that uppercut actually disrupted the Brazilian’s circulation. Figueiredo’s sport plan was clearly to pressure the takedown and hunt for an early submission, however that’s a tall order. Even Aljamain Sterling wasn’t capable of faucet Figueiredo from the again mount in any case, and “Daico” had a extremely troublesome time getting his foe down within the first place.

The wrestling method positively fatigued Figueiredo, which made it simpler for Yan to slide energy punches round his guard. “No Mercy” subsequently was capable of 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 no less than managed to harm Yan along with his punches and provides himself an opportunity — the person is significantly highly effective, even at 37 years previous 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 might produce a unique outcome, nevertheless it’s not the worst reserving conceivable.

Xiaonan Yan Rebounds

Again at UFC 300, Xiaonan Yan took a severe beating by the hands of Zhang Weili. Despite the fact that she had some robust moments and confirmed unimaginable coronary heart, it was affordable to marvel how the 35-year-old expertise would reply after taking so many laborious 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.

WMMA’s Pereira Goes Up In Smoke

The Wang Cong hype prepare was straightforward 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 marvel why followers have been hoping she would inject some pleasure within the largely stagnant Flyweight division.

Her undefeated run ended right here, nevertheless, 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 strong striker herself with a jiu-jitsu black belt. She was capable of change the tide with a heavy left hand counter that surprised Cong, and the Brazilian was capable of rapidly slide onto the again and pressure the strangle afterward.

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

Two Street To UFC Champions Topped

Barring a large title reign in one other group or transferring to the west outright, Street to UFC operates as one of many few methods Asian fighters could make their means onto the UFC roster. At UFC Macau, two finals match ups within the Flyweight and ladies’s Strawweight division delivered the violence!

Having been uncovered to her combating 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 to be Michel Pereira! Per the commentary, she’s additionally a physician by day, fighter by night time 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 along with her opponent’s dimension, 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 closing. His bout versus Kiru Sahota solely final a pair minutes, and Choi spent most of that point transferring round and watching his opponent hit air. When he did have interaction, nevertheless, he made a direct affect, flooring Sahota with a three-punch mixture then rapidly forcing the stoppage.

Extra Ideas

Muslim Salikhov defeats Music Kenan through 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 instantly 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 through 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 complete 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 through third-round knockout (highlights): Unranked Bantamweights ship greater than most. This was a straight up SCRAP! Each males got here motivated to select up their first UFC victory, and Le began robust by touchdown the heavier photographs early on. Lengthy discovered his vary within the second, nevertheless, and maybe the benefit of youth — 26 years previous vs. 33 years of age — helped him draw back huge within the third. His punches have been nonetheless carrying extra snap, and he was capable of put Le down laborious with a 1-2 within the closing body.

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