Tune Yadong, Saturday night time can be shiny (or morning for these of us in North America).
The stage is ready for Tune to make a great impression as he takes on Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau, headlining his native China. Son has had combined outcomes towards elite 135-pound opponents, together with a loss to Sean O’Malley and a win over Henry Cejudo that was ruined by a nasty look. At simply 28 years previous, Son nonetheless has time to show his championship credentials, however because the saying goes, early is sluggish within the fast-moving bantamweight division.
Figueiredo, a two-time flyweight champion, faces a special form of strain. He’s 10 years older than Son and has misplaced three of his previous 4 matches. Figueiredo’s window seems to be closed, however an upset of Tune on Saturday might revive his title hopes.
Additionally on the primary card, Zhang Minyan takes on gentle heavyweight veteran Alonzo Menifield, heavyweights Sergei Pavlovich and Talison Teixeira face off, and Kai Asakura returns to bantamweight to tackle Cameron Smotherman, seeking to bounce again from his first loss within the UFC.
the place: Galaxy Area, Macau, China
when: Saturday, Could thirtieth. The seven-game early preliminary card begins at 4 a.m. ET, adopted by the six-game essential card at 7 a.m. ET. Your complete occasion can be streamed stay on Paramount+.
(The numbers in parentheses point out the rating within the MMA Combating World Rating and Pound-for-Pound Rating)
Son Yadong (7) vs. Son Yadong (7) Daveson Figueiredo (9)
Mr. Figueiredo, I am sorry to say this, however the higher echelons of bantamweight might not be for you.
There isn’t any disgrace in dropping a combat to Petr Yan, Corey Sandhagen (Sung Yadong also can relate), and even Umar Nurmagomedov. However I feel Deiveson Figueiredo’s 135-pound ceiling is fairly clear. He nonetheless has some pop and remains to be an ideal all-around fighter, however he is outsized for this weight class, has a greater weapon, and in Son’s case, is youthful.
Can Figgy use grappling and stumbles to combat his strategy to victory? It is doable. Tune has good takedown protection, so if Figueiredo goes to enter wrestling, he’ll should be ready to return inside and soiled this match up, even when he takes some injury. Son will beat him at lengthy vary.
It is a showcase reserving for Tune, and I anticipate him to profit from this chance, stuffing Figueiredo’s takedown makes an attempt and sporting him down on his strategy to a knockout within the championship spherical.
Zhang Minyan vs. Alonzo Menifield
Did somebody point out showcase reserving?
Zhang Mingyang misplaced by second-round knockout to the at all times tough Johnny Walker in Shanghai in August of this yr. A win would have possible put Chan within the prime 10. As a substitute, he ended up enjoying a rebounding matchup with Alonzo Menifield. Zhang should make an impression right here if he’s to show that he’s a participant of the longer term on this division.
Menifield isn’t any slouch, however like Figueiredo, there is a 10-year age distinction, and while you play towards a tough hitter like Chan, you may’t afford to be one step behind as soon as the fists and ft begin flying. He has confirmed to be simple to KO, so in the event that they wish to give Chan a win in his house nation, they picked the suitable fighter.
“Mountain Tiger” obtained again on monitor with an enormous knockout win within the first spherical.
Sergei Pavlovich (5) vs. Talison Teixeira
I’m anxious that there can be a robust odor on our palms.
Do not get me unsuitable, Sergei Pavlovich and Talison Texeira have loads of knockout energy, and so they put it to good use as they strung collectively quite a few quick finishes within the UFC and rose via the ranks. Naturally, they needed to fine-tune their method as they confronted extra intense competitors, leading to a considerably diminished means to generate highlights. In principle, this ought to be over quickly. Actually, each can maintain you again in case you do not assert your self early on.
Pavlovic is a top-notch hitter, however he can get pissed off when enjoying towards extra technical opponents. It will likely be fascinating to see how he offers with the typically unconventional Teixeira, who will virtually actually throw in some takedowns. The temptation can be there to take an extended hit and face Texeira, particularly if Pavlovic goals to declare himself worthy of a title shot within the close to future.
Curiously, I selected Teixeira. As a result of whereas I might wish to see some contemporary blood within the candidate image, I do not suppose we have seen the perfect of the 26-year-old large man but. Let’s examine if he can stage up in actual time as he takes an enormous step up within the competitors.
Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman
I predict that Kai Asakura will shine after being launched from the extreme flyweight reduce.
Merely put, Asakura was at his greatest when he was kicking idiots at bantamweight within the RIZIN ring, and he is in all probability too caught within the 125 to 135 vary to be a real contender, however that does not imply UFC followers cannot get lots of leisure from this thrilling striker.
Cameron Smotherman was little question excited to see Asakura’s title come up, as he’s certain to get a keen stand-up associate. He might not be as excited when he really has to defend Asakura’s aggressive model. Smotherman makes use of his attain effectively and solely wants small home windows to land fight-changing counters, however Asakura does not give him a lot room to maneuver.
Jake Matthews vs. Carlston Harris
With all due respect, after Jake Matthews misplaced his initially scheduled opponent Muslim Salikhov, this could have been moved to the preliminaries and Angela Hill vs. Xiong Jinnan ought to have been the primary card. However I digress.
Carlston Harris is a strong substitute and it will likely be an aesthetic welterweight combat between two veterans who know what they’re doing within the stand-up and on the bottom. I at all times say that primary talents are underrated. Harris hits more durable however isn’t essentially the most correct puncher, so Matthews will concentrate on motion and quantity to maintain Harris at bay.
If Harris begins to search out success along with his hitting, Matthews will take that to the bottom. So he’ll should be cautious of Harris’ sequence of chokes. Matthews’ data and athleticism ought to prevail as he operates in ground-and-pound, maybe even threatening along with his personal submissions.
Alex Perez (13) vs. Sumudaelji
This can be Sumdarji’s final likelihood to earn a rating.
The Chinese language flyweight has a sexy bodily expertise, virtually Stefan Struve-like when it comes to dimension and ability potential. He has a attain benefit over nearly everybody within the division, and if he can put it to use correctly, he appears to be like like a world winner. Nonetheless, he has by no means actually gained towards anybody thought of a prime flyweight. It is irritating.
Perez, alternatively, carried out to the perfect of his means. Maybe pushing himself to the best stage is why his profession has been crammed with accidents, however when he hangs up his gloves at some point, I feel most individuals will agree that he did every little thing he might to win the UFC title. He has defeated a number of the greatest along with his basic model of wrestling and quick palms.
My intestine feeling is that regardless of the proper situations for the “Tibetan Eagle” to soar, there may be nonetheless sufficient left within the tank to take down the Sumda Elji. I’ve a tough time seeing how he continues to combat again towards the rough-and-tumble Perez. Perez will both break this up or cease Sumuda Elji with a submission.
That is what Sak Lee did. Luis Felipe Diaz
Jose Souza def. Dingmu
Cody Haddon def. Aori Kiren
Rei Tsuruya def. Louis Goulet
Angela Hill (15) def. Xiong Jinnan
Rodrigo Vera def. Zhu Kangjie
Roma Lookboonmee def. Jacqueline Amorim
