The Octagon headed to the Far East this previous weekend to host the UFC Struggle Night time card on the Chinese language island of Macau. The cardboard featured a plethora of Chinese language martial arts expertise, with the largest male star Music Yadong popping out on high.
Listed below are the ability rankings of the principle card winners for UFC Struggle Night time: Music vs. Figueiredo.
UFC Macau Energy Rankings
1. Music Yadong
The man on the high of the struggle card might be on the high of the ability rankings listing. Music Yadong carries the burden of the nation on his shoulders, and followers had been desperate to see him decide up China’s first and solely victory of the evening. He additionally knew that as a way to get into the title image at a weight of 135 kilos, he must assert himself. Since I used to be beneath strain, I could not afford to be obscure with my traces.
Fortunately for Music, and the Chinese language followers in attendance, he did simply the alternative. He put in an incredible efficiency, submitting former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo within the second spherical.
This gave Music an opportunity on the title and gave Macau followers a real ‘I used to be there’ second as he nearly took over the roof of the Galaxy Area with a high-profile victory.
2. Rodrigo Vera
Rodrigo Vera did not qualify for The Final Fighter, and his hopes of competing within the UFC gave the impression to be over. However he stayed in Las Vegas, ready, and took his probability. And the boy accepted it.
Vera was rushed into the match in opposition to Zhu Kangjie and the Peruvian bantamweight made a direct influence, taking lower than two minutes to knock out the Chinese language prospect. Now he’s within the UFC and it will likely be actually enjoyable to see how he progresses within the very thrilling bantamweight division.
3. Kai Asakura
Kai Asakura has returned to bantamweight and is again to his outdated self. The Japanese famous person started his UFC profession with two fights at flyweight, each of which resulted in defeats. However on Saturday, he took his opponent down a degree, moved up a weight class, and acquired the end result he craved.
Granted, Cameron Smotherman is not a former world champion like Alexandre Pantoja or a former title challenger like Tim Elliott, however once you face somebody you’ve got by no means fought at your degree, it’s a must to present it along with your efficiency, and Asakura did simply that. He crushed Smotherman in 1 minute and 50 seconds, incomes his first win within the UFC.
Flyweight Kai Asakura was exhausted and in peril. Bantamweight Kai Asakura is a nasty, unhealthy man. At 135 years outdated, it will likely be enjoyable to see what he does subsequent.
4. Alonzo Menifield
Alonzo Menifield has at all times had a repute as a heavy-handed mild heavyweight, however he hasn’t really gained by knockout since October 2022. However that efficiency has now been thrown within the trash due to Menifield’s thrilling first-round TKO of Chinese language knockout artist Zhang Minyan.
Given Chan’s apparently predictable preventing technique (stepping ahead and throwing massive photographs), many questioned if Menifield would depend on wrestling and groundwork to manage Chan. However “Atomic” wasn’t right here to tug issues out.
As an alternative, Menifield bit the mouthpiece and went head-to-head with “Mountain Tiger.” Though he was hit with a number of massive photographs alongside the best way, Menifield put up a tricky struggle and in the end overpowered Chan for a first-round end, incomes each males a $100,000 Struggle of the Night time bonus.
With an enormous win, a six-figure wage, and efficiently defending his spot within the rankings, Menifield can now set his sights on the contenders forward of him within the mild heavyweight rankings. And if he continues to belief within the energy of blended martial arts gloves, he will be a tricky man to cope with.
5. Angela Hill
The Struggle of the Night time sleeper match noticed UFC veteran Angela Hill welcome former ONE Championship Strawweight Champion Xiong Jingnan to the UFC, with a very entertaining end result.
Zion did comparatively effectively, however Hill stood out. “Overkill” seemed the most effective we have seen her in years as she outworked the often relentless Shion, outworked her, pissed off her with off-rhythm putting, and did harm to the physique with an incredible mixture of her putting sport.
It was an all-around good efficiency, however it most likely will not get the shine it deserves from the broader UFC fan base as a result of not everybody is aware of what Zion is able to. However Hill deserves credit score for his win.
It was a studying expertise for Zion, who will possible return to raised efficiency sooner or later, however Saturday was Hill’s nineteenth profession victory evening.
