It could have been a late evening for UFC followers within the US, however for us long-time followers of MMA right here in Europe, Saturday morning’s UFC Macau occasion was pure bliss.
The nation is presently blessed with lovely sunny skies (sure, actually!), so we spent Saturday morning with the home windows open, espresso and toast, and a few enjoyable video games packed in.
There have been so many nice moments on this card, however listed below are three magical moments that struck me in Macau.
Tune Yadong saves China’s predicament
When Tune Yadong walked into the Octagon for his essential occasion match in opposition to Deiveson Figueiredo, there was nice concern among the many followers contained in the Galaxy Enviornment that he would be capable to depart with out ever seeing China win.
Six Chinese language fighters had already competed contained in the Octagon at Galaxy Enviornment, and all six had misplaced their respective bouts, so nationwide satisfaction was on the road when Tune entered the cage. You may’t host a UFC occasion and never let your fighters win a single match, proper?
Fortunately, that feeling did not final lengthy as Tune placed on a terrific efficiency, ending Figueiredo with a guillotine choke late within the second spherical.
Given Figueiredo’s world-class floor abilities, a song-by submission was most likely the longest odds choice on the “Win Methodology” market that evening. However as quickly because the Brazilian went for a takedown, Son grabbed him by the neck and compelled a faucet.
The guillotine is Crew Alpha Male’s specialty, and Tune does it nicely. And with a win like this, there is a good likelihood the following time we see him he’ll be in both a title combat or a title eliminator.
I lastly met the actual Kai Asakura
Merely put, Kai Asakura is a Japanese celebrity. He was arguably RIZIN FF’s largest star when he fought for RIZIN FF and have become bantamweight champion. And his aggressive, crowd-pleasing combat model meant expectations had been by the roof when Asakura joined the UFC.
Sadly, he selected to combat at flyweight, maybe attracted by the prospect of a right away title shot in his debut, and issues did not work out. He was dominated by then-flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja, then submitted, then confused by Tim Elliott, then submitted.
One thing wanted to vary and fortunately Asakura made the appropriate choice. He returned to bantamweight and returned with a convincing first-round knockout win over Cameron Smotherman in Macau. He is far more just like the Asakura we knew from RIZIN, and primarily based on his emotional response after the win, he actually wanted that win.
Three consecutive losses within the UFC would have been a catastrophe and will have ruined his possibilities on the world stage. Nonetheless, Asakura, who’s presently combating at his optimum weight, has an opportunity to coach his physique. And in a 135-pound division stuffed with killers, Asakura’s subsequent combat is more likely to be an absolute banger.
Rodrigo Vera’s healthful moments
Apart from Tune’s dwelling victory, the most important feel-good second on the UFC Macau card got here early in qualifying when Peru’s Rodrigo Vera made his UFC debut in opposition to Chinese language fighter Zhu Kangjie.
Vera was just lately denied a spot on this season of The Final Fighter when coaches Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier selected different fighters forward of Vera for his or her respective groups. However reasonably than fly dwelling, Vera remained in Las Vegas and took full benefit of the UFC Efficiency Institute to proceed coaching and, importantly, getting ready for any alternative which may come his method.
Then, when Ramon Taveras was faraway from the Macau card, Vera received the decision and put in a terrific efficiency to TKO Zhu for a doubtlessly life-changing victory.
Whereas those that entered the Final Fighter home earlier than him competed for a spot on the roster, Vera has already established himself, profitable one combat and incomes one $25,000 ending bonus.
They are saying the very best skill is availability, and that turned out to be 100% true for Berra, staying inside the field and seizing alternatives once they got here.
