UFC Macau ‘Yan vs. Figueiredo’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Maheshate Hayisaer (155.5) vs. Nikolas Motta (155)

Round 1

Put the kettle on, it’s early morning fights for much of the planet. The locals in China will experience a show catered to their time zone instead of having to stay up to the wee hours of the morning to take in 13 fights at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. It is a bit of a scattershot fight card light on divisional relevance and heavy on UFC newcomers, and three-quarters of the latest Road to UFC season will wrap up by night’s end. We start things off in a non-tourney tilt at 155 pounds, as China tries to get on the board early with Hayisaer (10-3, 2-2 UFC) against the hard-swinging Motta (14-5, 1 NC; 2-2, 1 NC UFC). Both men sport .500 UFC records so their backs aren’t entirely against the wall here, but a win goes a long way in this weight class. Referee Kevin Sataki will receive the first assignment of the show, clocking the two in as they clap hands. The crowd is lathered up already. Hayisaer slowly marches forward behind a faked jab, bobbing his way forward and trying to take advantage of his reach disparity. He shifts laterally in hopes of finding the jab, but it is Motta who partially reaches him first after a minute of shadowboxing. Motta whips a kick at the front leg of his foe, and he is out of the way when Hayisaer pitches a front kick. They clash shins together when throwing simultaneous low kicks, and Hayisaer steps in to drive a knee on the jaw. Motta pays it no mind and backs off to reset, looking to lunge his way in with a three-punch salvo. His winging left hook is the weapon that just gets in, and he splits the guard with a straight left. When Hayisaer sits down on a low kick, Motta comes at him swinging hell for leather. Hayisaer times a perfect knee that sends Motta flying, and Motta scrambles back to his feet and shakes his head out to clear it. Motta recovers enough, and he gets back to blitzing forward, his legs seemingly beneath him again. They both crash together with jabs, and a jab snaps the Brazilian’s head back when leaping in. Motta goes to the body and fires off a few punches over the top, and Hayisaer has to skirt away to avoid the worst of the damage. Motta goes low with a kick, and Hayisaer pays him back immediately. Motta’s jumps are telegraphed and countered by the Chinese competitor, and he has a pair of high kicks guarded. Motta presses forward, getting Hayisaer’s attention with clubbing punches. Motta knocks Hayisaer back to the wall, and he continues hurling strikes and stinging his foe. Hayisaer regathers his thoughts when returning to his preferred kickboxing range, and leg kicks are traded. Motta fires off a third to the other leg in a well-timed blow, and he plants two huge punches on the chin that send Hayisaer crashing to the mat. Motta rails his downed foe in the back of the head with his fists, and Hayisaer scrambles to get back to his feet, his nose bloodied. Hayisaer backpedals, with Motta chasing him to the bell. 10-9 Motta.

Round 2

Hayisaer appears to have cleared the cobwebs to commence the second stanza, and Motta charges him early to test that. Hayisaer scoots out of the way, absorbs a low kick and has to parry big swinging punches. Motta bites down on his mouthpiece, deciding it is time to stand and bang. Hayisaer spins around, hitting the deck briefly when taking punches square on the chin, and he climbs back up and escapes. Sataki warns him for outstretched fingers, with the Chinese fighter measuring with his digits outstretched to take full advantage of his lengthier wingspan. Motta bears down on him with looping strikes, never throwing one at once. At least two or three come from the Brazilian every time he hurls punches, and he mixes in a few leg kicks and checks one on the way back. Hayisaer times a blitz with a sharp counter, making Motta think twice about his leaps of faith on the way in. Hayisaer concludes one combo with a hard leg kick, and a second draws a reaction out of his adversary. Hayisaer prods out several jabs, one drawing a tiny cut on the corner of Motta’s right eye that grows rapidly as more jabs land. Motta races forward, eats a stern knee and swings for the bleachers. Hayisaer throws back at him, defense not part of the conversation, and he works his way out to land on the outside. Motta just misses with a haymaker and a head kick, always presenting danger on his end. When Hayisaer kicks his front leg, Motta makes a statement with a thumping check. Motta plunges forward fearlessly, and Hayisaer tags him with quicker, more accurate punches that shake his chin up. Motta turns to the side and has to recalibrate his sensors, and the horn blares. 10-9 Hayisaer.

Round 3

The fighters double bump their fists to get going in the last round, and the promotion inadvertently leaves a Latin placeholder phrase on the screen. The fighters are obviously unaware of a broadcast mistake, and Motta wants to get right after it. He does just that, charging like a bull and swinging like a madman. The Brazilian’s clubbing blows knock Hayisaer to his seat, and instead of trying to drum his stunned opponent out, he circles around to take Hayisaer’s back. Motta fastens the body triangle in a hurry, where he starts hunting for what would be his first career submission. Hayisaer bucks and scrambles, breaking out of the leglock around his waist and forcing his way to his feet. Hayisaer strides forward with his longer strikes connecting, getting Motta’s attention with his responsive blows. Motta chops at the front calf, one that has turned red with welts. Hayisaer tosses out a high kick and then a front kick, and suitably ends the three-kick salvo with one down low. Hayisaer walks Motta down, the Brazilian showing signs of fatigue, and he works behind his jab. Motta wings one single power strike, and Hayisaer is able to time him and clip him with a left on the temple. Hayisaer aims a kick or two to the lead leg, and he drives a one-two through the guard. Motta keeps moving, swinging hard but not connecting cleanly as Hayisaer is constantly moving. Hayisaer chases him down but is not cutting him off, and he is loudly warned for his fingers pointed at the Brazilian. Hayisaer jabs and scores a two, and he goes off with a body kick only to eat a left hand over the top. Hayisaer chops down the lead wheel, and on four occasions Motta runs at him with left hooks. When the 10-second clapper sounds, the two men raise their arms in the air and throw down one final time. They do the customary swanging and banging, with Hayisaer getting the worst of it until time expires. Motta goes over to hug his opponent after 15 minutes of fist fighting. 10-9 Motta (29-28 Motta).

The Official Result

Nikolas Motta def. Maheshate Hayisaer via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Long Xiao (135) vs. Quang Le (136)

Round 1

No one likes more than to have a second chance to make a first impression, and that is what these two bantamweights will have when they share the Octagon next. It might a stretch to say it’s impression no. 2 for Xiao (26-9, 0-1 UFC), who came up short in his promotional debut in June and also lost on the Contender Series in 2021, but it is what it is. He takes on LFA veteran Le (8-1, 0-1 UFC), who also debuted this summer and came up short on the scorecards. Referee Mike Beltran takes control of the cage for this preliminary offering as the Octagon Ranger, one that commences without a glove touchy. Xiao races out of his corner, only to be met with a Le body kick. Xiao jabs the body and face, slowly chaining the strikes into a low kick. Le chomps down on his gumshield to release a right hand and a thudding left hook, the latter sending Xiao spinning away. Xiao gathers a full head of steam to march forward behind a quartet of punches, getting through Le’s guard with the last two. Le shrugs them off to string his fists together, marking up Xiao’s face early and hurling body kicks to punctuate his combos. Xiao retaliates, slipping on his way in but still getting hands on face. Xiao fires off three punches in rapid succession, and Le stands in the pocket and trades with him momentarily before backing off to reset and pitch a front kick down the middle. Le goes up high with a kick that slides off the guard, and Xiao backs him off with a concussive left hook. Xiao misses with a second but lands with a leg kick and a follow-up flurry. Le wears them well and aims a body shot at his man. Xiao loops as left around the guard, and he sneaks in a left when Le comes at him. Xiao slides in and counters with a clean right hook, digging a kick to the body after as he chains his strikes well. Xiao rushes in recklessly and gets clipped, but he still manages to find his target once or twice as well. Le checks a low kick, throws a body kick and it gets caught. Xiao dumps him to the floor, and Le scrambles speedily to get up and into a clinch. Xiao disengages with two elbows, and he reaches his foe with a low kick on the way out. Xiao scores a right hand and eats one back, and he dings Le with a right hand that stings “Bang” for a second. Xiao jabs and parries a right hand to counter with a left, and his uppercut cracks Le. Xiao points to the ground, and the fighters brawl it out to the bell. 10-9 Xiao.

Round 2

Xiao reintroduces himself with a leaping knee, and Le cold-cocks him with a huge right hand to embody his inner Fedor Emelianenko against Andrei Arlovski. Xiao does not get smoked from the counter, instead landing and wanting to throw hands. Le has drawn blood from the mouth, and he aims his left hook at the red target. Le walks through a series of punches to land his own heavier strikes. Le clips Xiao on the way in with a left hook, and when Xiao sets up a low kick, Le’s left is ready for him. A third left hook dings Xiao, and Xiao again points to the ground to initiate a slugfest. When Le does not bite, Xiao walks him down spamming knees to the body. Le circles away, backs off when getting nailed with a right hand and fighting off the clinch to absorb little more than a single knee to the midsection. Le strides in with two looping punches, dropping Xiao to a knee, and Xiao bursts back to his feet and asks for more. Le again does not bite, instead allowing Xiao to land on him cleanly with four or five crisp punches. Le pulls back before letting his own hands go, kicking the ribs when Xiao points at the mat. Le’s counters hard, causing more blood to flow from the Chinese fighter, whose mouth is jacked up. Xiao absorbs a strike or two he does not like, forcing him to shoot in for a single-leg takedown. Le stops it in its tracks with his fists, but a second try from Xiao results in them both hitting the floor. Le is the one to slip around to take the back, and Xiao explodes to get back to his feet and tie Le up. Xiao gets off a knee in the Thai plum before Le breaks away, and Le drills him on the way out with a clubbing left. The power strikes from Xiao have caused a slight bit of swelling below Le’s left eye, and he does not recognize it and keeps swinging for the fences. Le plods forward, knocking Xiao’s head around, and Xiao hurls back with a vengeance. A few swinging fists lead to a jump knee, and the horn sounds to conclude a close round. 10-9 Le.

Round 3

Xiao again is fired up to start the round, running at Le with a head kick that results in a clinch. Le punches his way out of it, landing a right hand over the top. Xiao does the same with a left hook, and he jabs the body. The two consider grappling, but abandon it after a scramble. Le bops Xiao twice on the jaw with left hooks, and his takedown effort is shut down. Xiao dings Le with a few hooks and a flying knee, and Le escapes and kicks the body while slipping to the floor. Le gets up, Xiao takes a deep breath, and the Chinese competitor lets fly a ruthless right hand that smashes square into Le’s temple. Le is out before he hits the canvas, but just to make sure, Xiao dives after him to further scramble his circuits with hammerfists. Beltran quickly recognizes that Le is done like dinner and gets between them to wave the fight off, and Xiao sprints to the cage wall to climb it and drink in the crowd reaction. This is a good way to fire up the locals, as Xiao becomes the first fighter to finish Le as a professional.

The Official Result

Long Xiao def. Quang Le R3 1:28 via KO (Punch)

Lone’er Kavanagh (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)

Round 1

A pair of unbeaten newcomers with seven wins apiece meet in hopes of keeping their spotless records intact. The prospects of Kavanagh (7-0, 0-0 UFC) are high, with many calling for him to get a call up to the big leagues after wiping out Davide Scarano with a spinning back kick in 2023. It took a bit longer than he expected, but he made it, and he meets Ochoa (7-0, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC). While the Brit has heard the final bell in the past, Ochoa has never even fought into the third round. Referee Mark Craig will have his hands full with these flyweights for as long as it goes. They share a sporting glove touch to get started, and Kavanagh strikes first with a low kick. Kavanagh parries the jabs Ochoa is setting up, ignoring a stomping kick to his knees so he can work his way in. Kavanagh has to hop back to block a head kick, and he presses forward with a push kick. Ochoa chops at the lead leg with a kick, and Kavanagh responds in kind. A head kick buzzes past Ochoa’s face in the blink of an eye, with the Peruvian looking at it with bemusement. Kavanagh chips at the front leg, and Ochoa does the same as they do not set up much else. Kavanagh nails the lead leg with a kick that makes Ochoa recoil it, and he dodges a counter right over the top when loosing a body kick. Kavanagh blocks a front kick and whiffs with a head kick, and he sees Ochoa come barreling towards him and blonks him on the head with a right hook. The Peruvian wears it well and lets fly a head kick that is blocked, with the two going tit-for-tat against one another. Ochoa connects with two leg kicks, and the crowd starts wooing as it is not entertained. Both fighters come up short on power strikes, with Kavanagh eventually reaching with a leg kick and then one to the ribs. Kavanagh closes in when Ochoa attempts a spinning back fist, and he chews up the inside and outside of Ochoa’s right leg with kicks. Ochoa goes wide with a haymaker, and Kavanagh slips the strikes and responds with a left hook that cuts Ochoa’s right eye. In a flurry of strikes, a Kavanagh kick does not find the right area and instead blasts Ochoa square in the family jewels. Ochoa walks off in pain, and Kavanagh knows what he did and apologizes. Craig calls time and tells Ochoa he has plenty of time to recover, and Ochoa is not having a good time right now. It takes over a minute for Ochoa to stand up, and he asks for a chance to wipe his bloodied eye that is cut on the lid. After 90 seconds, Ochoa is good to go, and they share a glove touch to restart. Kavanagh reintroduces himself with two more accurate leg kicks, and he allows Ochoa to kick him so he can plant a capoeira kick on his ribs. An Ochoa kick appears to go low, but Kavanagh waves it off and they trade front kicks. A clean Ochoa front kick drives Kavanagh back, and Kavanagh rushes at him swinging two hooks and a kick before the horn sounds. 10-9 Kavanagh.

Round 2

The fighters share a glove touch to get going in Round 2, with Kavanagh twirling about when not committing entirely to a leg kick. He instead aims one to the side, and he leans back when Ochoa’s feet fly past his face. Ochoa scores a Mortal Kombat-inspired sweep kick to the low leg, and Kavanagh no-sells it and responds with a head kick. Kavanagh chambers and fires a slapping leg kick, hoping to set up a high kick but Ochoa is wise to the latter. Ochoa keeps his hands dangerously low as he prods out with front kicks, and he sways back when Kavanagh kicks at him. Kavanagh scores a right hand, has a kick roll off his shoulder and prepares to fire off a counter. The right hand that comes from the Brit puts Ochoa on his seat, and Ochoa, grinning the whole time, climbs back to his feet. Ochoa attacks the front leg repeatedly, landing three or four until Kavanagh lets fly a booming body kick. Ochoa’s kicks keep his man at safe range until Kavanagh gets sick of waiting and lunges to blaze him with a right and then a huge left hook. Ochoa wants to engage, smiling all the while, and he absorbs a powerful left hand that makes him smile and bleed. Kavanagh’s poker face never changes as he unleashes kicks to the body and front leg, and Ochoa splits the distance and delivers a clean body shot. Ochoa chains and fires a few flashy strikes together that all miss, and he tries a capoeira kick that comes up short. Kavanagh stays composed and dings him with a left hook to draw more blood, and his leg kick keeps battering the front leg. Ochoa splits the guard with a front kick, and this makes Kavanagh bite down on his mouthpiece to engage. Ochoa appears to get the better of the exchange, hurting the former Cage Warriors fighter with a long series of punches. Ochoa changes the strikes to body shots, lowering Kavanagh to the floor until Kavanagh shoots desperately. The Peruvian jumps around to take the back, and he hunts for a rear-naked choke while on his foe’s back. Kavanagh leans against the fence to survive the submission, with the horn ending the round. 10-9 Ochoa.

Round 3

The fighters reach the final frame and clap hands, and it could be all tied up or Kavanagh could be ahead. No matter the score, the competitors get to business before long. Legs fly from both sides, with Ochoa picking and poking with kicks high and low, and his body kick draws a reaction out of his man. With Ochoa selling out for kicks, Kavanagh times a left hand that drops Ochoa. Kavanagh does not go wild for long, letting Ochoa have it but paying attention to when the jump knee inevitably comes at him. Ochoa gathers himself and beats on the body with kicks, and Kavanagh returns fire with two that leave mean looking welts on Ochoa’s waist. Kavanagh lunges with a left hook, and he nails the front leg with a kick. Ochoa digs a left to head and right to the body, and Kavanagh pays him back with a short but fierce combination. Ochoa tries to sweep the leg dramatically, and this time it is way short and the crowd boos him. The two crash together with offense, as Ochoa tries a head kick while too close. Kavanagh slips a huge punch to escape from harm, hand-fighting and letting loose with a head kick. Ochoa shrugs at him and belts him with a low kick. Ochoa chases Kavanagh down, walking into a jump knee as he spins with a back fist that bangs into the chest. Kavanagh strafes to the side, avoiding a hook kick and a head kick with active movement. Ochoa’s kicks miss again and again, resulting in Ochoa shrugging at him. Kavanagh wraps a head kick around the guard, and they both land with their fists. Ochoa steps in with a knee, and he gets countered with a left over the top and has a head kick graze his chin. Ochoa walks Kavanagh down without fear, kicking his way into a single-leg takedown attempt that fails. Kavanagh intercepts a kick to blast Ochoa in the face with a right hand, and he spins with a wheel kick that connects cleanly. The two fighters hug it out, and Kavanagh hits a back flip just because he can. 10-9 Kavanagh (29-28 Kavanagh).

The Official Result

Lone’er Kavanagh def. Jose Ochoa via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Nyamjargal Tumendemberel (125.5) vs. Carlos Hernandez (125.5)

Round 1

It’s a speedy battle of flyweights as the prelims carry on, with unbeaten Mongolian Tumendemberel (8-0, 0-0 UFC)—say that five times fast—introducing himself to the masses with a finish rate of 87%. He encounters relative veteran Hernandez (9-4, 2-3 UFC), whose five fights with a UFC record beneath .500 may undersell his skills. Winking referee Marc Goddard should be ready for the action, and he claps the fighters in as they touch gloves. Hernandez shifts right to the center of the Octagon, measuring his range early with a low kick and a right hand. Tumendemberel misses with a low kick, and Hernandez shoots in for a takedown. It pushes the Mongolian against the fence but ultimately fails, with Tumendemberel escaping out the side and resetting. Tumendemberel lets fly a clubbing right that bangs into the side of Hernandez’ head, and Hernandez wears it well and wings a head kick at him. Hernandez shoots for a takedown, and this time his double-leg entry succeeds as he dumps the unbeaten fighter on the mat. Tumendemberel falls to his back while gripping a guillotine choke, and wraps his guard up in hopes of completing it. Hernandez calmly works through the submission, passing through to half guard and claiming mount during a scramble. Tumendemberel turns over to his belly and nearly falls into a rear-naked choke, and he twists to his belly to not allow Hernandez to land on him or try to choke him. Tumendemberel deftly turns Hernandez over, and he walks away carefree even with Hernandez sprinting at him. Tumendemberel frees himself from the grip and connects with a right hand on the temple, and two more punches fly to put Hernandez on notice. Tumendemberel throws a calf kick, and the crowd erupts in boos suddenly for a perceived lack of action. Tumendemberel does not change his approach, instead slowly cutting Hernandez off measuring him with front kicks. Hernandez clips him with two right hands on the way in, and Tumendemberel responds with a left hand that reddens up his foe’s temple. Hernandez again strings two punches together, and he meets a single-leg takedown attempt with a guillotine setup. Tumendemberel lifts the leg up and sweeps the other, and after a speedy scramble, both men get up. Tumendemberel backs Hernandez to the fence, dropping him with a fierce left hook and dives after him to lock down a submission. Tumendemberel rolls for an armbar, Hernandez twists through it and sneaks around to take the back standing. The round ends before Hernandez can do something with the position. 10-9 Tumendemberel.

Round 2

Gloves are touched to commence the second round, and Tumendemberel wades into action only to back off when Hernandez lets his fists fly. Tumendemberel attempts a throw when the two clinch up, but Hernandez wants nothing to do with it and fights it off to get some space. Hernandez pitches out a front kick that does not quite split the guard, and he switches stances to avoid a fastball of a right hand aimed at his mug. Hernandez ducks a punch to jab the body, and Tumendemberel leaps at him as a knee and the outstretched foot bangs into Hernandez’ cup. Goddard calls time to allow Hernandez to recover, and Hernandez takes 40 seconds to recover before he is good to go and the fighters touch ‘em up. They trade jabs, and Tumendemberel connects with a step-in elbow. Hernandez counters, but he does not back Tumendemberel off, as the Mongolian is marching him down and looking for power. Hernandez slips and rips with a solid right hand, and Tumendemberel runs at him with a left hook flying. Hernandez wraps him up and pushes him to the fencing, using a body lock to deposit “Art of Knockout” to his back. Hernandez easily shifts to half guard and is just about to hit mount before Tumendemberel bucks at the same time to stop him from advancing momentarily. Tumendemberel scrambles like a madman to stand back up, only for the American to drag him back down and return to half guard. Tumendemberel is warned for hooking his toes in the fence to improve his position, and he does it a few more times with Goddard yelling at him. Tumendemberel returns to his feet, and Hernandez once more wrangles him to a knee. From behind, Hernandez knees Tumendemberel in the face once, and Tumendemberel realizes the old rule of a hand down is not enough to stop knees from flying at his head. Hernandez takes the back and drags Tumendemberel to the floor from behind, getting both hooks in. Tumendemberel muscles his way back to his feet, sliding Hernandez out the back door. Hernandez uses his flailing feet off his back to keep him safe until the horn sounds. 10-9 Hernandez.

Round 3

Hands are clapped as the final round kicks off, with Tumendemberel in the center of the cage slowly plodding forward. His winging strikes hit nothing but air, with Hernandez well aware that the headhunter is coming. Tumendemberel hurls pure power, and Hernandez ducks away and escapes. Hernandez scores a few left hands while scurrying around, but Tumendemberel gets his hands on him with a few power right hooks as well. Hernandez stays moving, dipping away from a huge uppercut and fighting behind his jab. Another booming strike from Tumendemberel misses, drawing a reaction from the crowd but not his opponent. Tumendemberel fakes a right hand and gets popped with a left hook, and he goes right back to chasing. Hernandez potshots, using his jab to set up other strikes, while Tumendemberel is all power all the time. Hernandez chips away with a few kicks, and Tumendemberel unloads a right hand at him. Hernandez blasts the body with a kick while on his bike, and he reaches his man with a right and then a left. Hernandez times a right hand with a level change, and he keeps his guard up to block a right hand when he sees Tumendemberel is about to hit him in the face. Tumendemberel jabs and misses, and Hernandez’ level changes are giving him fits. Hernandez uses them to set up strikes, and he keeps Tumendemberel from getting anything serious going. Even backing away most of the round, Hernandez is the one controlling the range and pace, as Tumendemberel is just loosing single power strikes. Hernandez ties him up briefly, and he lands a right hand and a leg kick on the way out. Tumendemberel comes out firing, only to get cracked with a right hook that slips around his guard. Tumendemberel has his right hand cocked back, and his left comes up short. Hernandez scores a low kick after avoiding a massive uppercut, and he plants his jaw on the face and follows with a head kick. Tumendemberel finally reaches him with a monstrous right hand, and Hernandez hits the ground and climbs back to his feet. Hernandez tries to wrap up the Mongolian with grappling, and the horn sounds. The only question that remains: is that one big punch to cause a partial knockdown worth more than the other four minutes and 45 seconds of the round? It is going to be a close one. 10-9 Hernandez (29-28 Hernandez).

The Official Result

Carlos Hernandez def. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ming Shi (115.5) vs. Xiaocan Feng (115)

Round 1

The first of three Road to UFC finals comes next, with strawweights given 15 minutes or less to decide who receives the coveted contract to the Las Vegas-based promotion. The more experienced but considerably smaller Shi (16-5, 0-0 UFC) will collide with 22-year-old wunderkind Feng (10-2, 0-0 UFC) in what could be a fun one. The referee for this tournament final will be referee Kevin Sataki, and he will know first who can hold their head high today. As a note, if they are tied after three rounds, there is a “sudden victory” fourth round permitted. There is a glove touch offered by Feng, but Shi wants nothing to do with it. Instead, Shi starts off with kicks to the body and long leg of his opponent. Feng easily reaches her with a responding kick. Shi kicks again on the outside, and she reaches the body but gets popped with two punches up top. Feng slaps the front leg with a few kicks, making Shi raise her leg preemptively to avoid others. Shi punches her way into a low kick, and she gets off a stomping kick to the knee and then aims one to the ribs. Feng backs her off, kicking low and keeping her guard up to block the overhand right counter. Shi blasts the body with a kick, and Feng’s two punches and low kick draw a brief reaction in response. Shi lands a kick to the thigh, and they trade punches with Shi clipping Feng with a right hand. Feng lands flush on the forehead, reddening it up and forcing Shi to shoot for a single. Shi drives Feng to the wall, lifting the taller woman up and dumping her to the mat. Feng imposes a butterfly guard, using it to sweep her countrywoman and land in full mount. Shi scrambles with all of her might, turning to her stomach but giving up her back briefly. Shi breaks the grip around her waist to fight to her feet, and she pushes Feng away from her. Shi explodes into a flurry of strikes, and Feng meets her in the middle and then shoves her back. Feng intercepts her opponent with a front kick, and she comes up short with a left hook. Shi chops down at the front leg with a kick, and falls to a knee when landing a body kick. Shi recovers and plants another kick on the side, and she smacks the tall woman upside the head with the instep of her foot. As Shi swings for the bleachers, the round ends. 10-9 Shi.

Round 2

Shi strides out of her corner a confident woman, reintroducing herself with a front kick right down the middle. Feng whiffs on a counter, but she plants her feet and connects with wide punches as Shi re-engages her. Shi walks into a right hook that shakes her up, and she tries to reach and jab to the body. Shi kicks the body and backs off from the counters, but Feng’s low kick makes her take a step back. Shi advancing, swinging wildly, and a head kick buzzes past Feng’s hair. Feng retaliates with two kicks that bounce off the shoulder and upper arm. Shi’s front kick misses the mark, and Feng sits down on a calf kick. Shi marches forward, fists flying, and Feng intercepts her and ends up tied up with her. They split, with Shi walking forward with a kick only to get met with a clubbing right hand and a body kick. Shi comes up short with two hooks, and a leg kick makes her tape a funny step. Again, Shi loads up with inaccurate strikes, and Feng keeps chipping away at her while avoiding what comes her way. Shi does get to her with a body kick, and Feng’s counters do connect but do not dissuade Shi from coming in. A left hand from Feng makes Shi’s right eye swell up a tad, and she nods after absorbing a clean strike. Feng hammers the front leg to disrupt the hard-swinging Shi, and Shi still struggles to find her range while getting potshotted. Shi sells out for a side kick, and Feng uses her range to pick and poke. Shi punches her way into a clinch, pushing the younger woman to the wall to take away the reach advantage. Shi uses a few knees on the inside, and Feng does the same until they split and the round ends. 10-9 Feng.

Round 3

The ladies reach the last round—presumably, barring an unexpected draw here—and Shi races forward winging a head kick. Feng’s jab keeps Shi honest, with Shi aiming for kicks to get closer. Feng whiffs on a left hand and Shi resets. Chambering and loosing a monster head kick, the shorter woman’s shin drills about as cleanly into Feng’s chin as one possibly can. Feng is out cold, completely flatlined by the brutal kick. Shi leaps on top to further punish Feng with her fists, and Sataki sprints across the cage to tackle Shi off of the doomed woman. Just like that, any question about the scores is completely wiped away, with Shi the first strawweight winner of a Road to UFC tournament with an exclamation point of a high kick. Feng is still unconscious while Shi celebrates, but the celebration is quickly muted when the scene turns from spectacular to scary as medical professionals tend to Feng. The official decision is unable to be read until Feng regains consciousness, with the doctors wrapping her up and keeping her stable as they transport her immediately to the hospital. Feng is eventually carried from the cage on the stretcher, and she is awake which is a relief. Any remaining information on her condition will come as the day progresses, and we will keep you updated. On the positive side, Shi is the first tournament champion of the evening, registering a knockout worthy of “Knockout of the Year” consideration.

Following up on Feng’s condition, she is responsive and speaking to her team and medical staff while underdoing scans to determine any lasting damage, and was stretchered out as she was unconscious for over four minutes from that head kick. According to the promotion, Feng’s scans show no damage to her neck, and as long as the CT scan goes well, she may be released from the hospital before long.

The Official Result

Ming Shi def. Xiaocan Feng R3 0:46 via KO (Head Kick)

Kierandip Singh Sahota (126) vs. Dong Hun Choi (125.5)

Round 1

Keeping these Road to UFC finals going, flyweights will decide the victor in a three-round preliminary contest. Sahota (12-2, 0-0 UFC) will hope to turn his three-fight win streak to four, while Choi (8-0, 0-0 UFC) has not yet tasted defeat as a pro. The fighters will be joined in the Octagon by referee Mark Craig, who is prepped and ready to keep up with these two speedsters. They touch gloves before vying for the UFC contract, and Sahota bounces back and forth behind a jab. Choi does not engage early, resulting in a bunch of inaccurate strikes from Sahota including a spinning back kick. Choi sneaks in a calf kick and darts away from any potential counter, and Sahota fakes for a spin. The fans grow restless after 60 seconds of practically nothing, and Sahota finally walks Choi down and reaches after him with a few jabs. Sahota kicks low and draws his leg back to not allow Choi to snatch it up, and he lands another calf kick. Choi surges into action, blasting “Kiru” in the face with two right hands. They clinch, but break apart before the two can do much with it. Choi’s right hand finds it home again on the side of the dome, and Sahota shakes it off and tries to catch Choi with a check left hook. Sahota steps in with an elbow, and Choi slips it and bombards the taller man with three ferocious punches that separate Sahota from his consciousness. When Sahota slumps to the mat, Craig knows he is done and rushes to him to call a halt to the action. Choi is able to connect with two standing-to-ground punches before Craig separates them, and Sahota goes out and is reactivated by the damage. Still undefeated, the South Korean starts dancing, further winning the crowd over. Choi is now the third Road to UFC flyweight champion, having registered his first career Round 1 finish.

The Official Result

Dong Hun Choi def. Kierandip Singh Sahota R1 2:36 via KO (Punches)

Jieleyisi Baergeng (135) vs. Su Young You (135.5)

Round 1

It’s China vs. Korea for the third and final Road to UFC finale match tonight, as submission specialists Baergeng (18-5, 0-0 UFC) and You (13-3, 2 NC; 0-0 UFC) meet to handle their business. If the first two finals were any indication, these bantamweights may impress as soon as referee Mike Beltran clocks them in. They do not tap their hands together before going for broke, and instead Baergeng is the one to strike first with a leaping left hook. You dodges and counters with a head kick that bangs into the guard, and he slides back as Baergeng lunges with a one-two. Baergeng spins with a back kick that pounds into the midsection, and he chains two punches behind it. You shoots for a double, only to bail on it and come up with a left hook. Baergeng stings his opponent with a right hand, and You elbows him back to stagger him momentarily. Both men appear to damage one another in an exchange, and they take a second to reset. “You-Jitsu” uses his grappling to tackle Baergeng to the canvas, landing in the guard. Baergeng smacks him repeatedly in the back of the head, and Beltran warns him of these fouls. You steps over to half guard as he clutches the back of his head, and the two stall out as fans grow restless in the arena. Baergeng turns to his side and recovers to get butterfly hooks in, and the South Korean fights off a sweep but is forced to defend a sudden twist from Baergeng who shoots on him. You defends with several knees to the forehead, and he sweeps the leg and dumps Baergeng to the canvas courtesy of a solid trip. This time, You lands directly in side control, and he staves off a scramble while shifting to the other side. Baergeng bucks his hips wildly, and You times this and leaps into full mount with 30 seconds on the clock. Baergeng hangs on tight until You breaks the grip to posture up and rain down elbows. The South Korean lays into Baergeng with hammerfists until the bell separates them. 10-9 You.

Round 2

The fighters are so amped to get back to combat that they forget to offer glove touches, instead marching towards one another with their guards high. Baergeng jabs a few times, and he leans to dodge a counter right hand from the South Korean. You swipes out and has an uppercut ricochet off the block, and he puts a few more punches on it to drive Baergeng back. You counters a body kick with an overhand right, and he nails the front calf with a kick and strings two punches together after it. You rifles a right hand up top, buzzing the forehead, but a counter from Baergeng appears to trip him up. The You takedown attempt that follows is shut down hard, and Baergeng pump-fakes knees hoping to have one primed and ready to intercept a shot. You scores a heavy leg kick and comes out swinging with a huge right hand, and Baergeng is left hitting air with a long jab that does not find its home. You slaps a high kick off the shoulder, and he kicks the other side. Baergeng hits nothing but air with a head kick, his accuracy down in the tank so far, with the elusive You hard to get his hands on. You stuns his man with a step-in right hand, and he backs off to celebrate his handiwork instead of add to it. You dips and rips with an uppercut, and a left hook comes over the top. You works the lead leg on both sides, and he sets up a level change but is stopped in his tracks with the Chinese fighter’s defense. When Baergeng spins with a back kick, You bowls him over and puts him on his back, landing in half guard. You calmly works on top, getting off some ground-and-pound without exposing himself to a reversal. A few right hands get through, shredding the corner of Baergeng’s left eye and causing blood to trickle down his face. Both men attack with elbows as time expires. 10-9 You.

Round 3

The crowd showers the fighters with love to start the last round, as they prepare for one final stanza. You strikes first, slapping Baergeng upside the head with the instep of his foot. Baergeng is jittery as he works his way in, but he does not throw anything while You occasionally potshots him. You’s calf kick has swelled up Baergeng’s lead leg, and he mixes up a left hand into a head kick. Baergeng swings for the bleachers and is nowhere near his intended target, and he tries to draw the South Korean into a face-first exchange that fails. Baergeng’s head kick also misses, with You handling the range brilliantly and preserving himself from most of the strikes aimed at him. You keeps investing in the leg kick, chaining a right hand into a head kick on the other side to fluster the finalist from China. Baergeng jabs and blocks a head kick, and You wraps a right hand around his guard. Baergeng is stuck in neutral, not committing to much while just walking You down. You dips back and gets caught at the end of a left hand, but it is one-and-done before You ties Baergeng up. Baergeng escapes the clinch and is met with an uppercut, and he pays it no mind and keeps plodding onward. Baergeng throws caution to the wind with looping strikes, ones that rebound off the guard. You blocks a high kick and shoots for a takedown, and Baergeng stonewalls him and gets off a right hand. Baergeng is clipped with a short left hand when advancing, and he shoots for a double and elevates You before dropping him on his back. You clings to him like a cheap suit until time expires, likely having done enough to earn the nod and get a UFC deal. In the talent-rich bantamweight division, he has a long way to go, but it is a start. 10-9 You (30-27 You).

The Official Result

Su Young You def. Jieleyisi Baergeng via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Mingyang Zhang (205) vs. Osman Diaz (205)

Round 1

The main card has begun, and all the Road to UFC fights are behind us. It’s time for some action. Light heavyweight finishers that sport matching 100% stoppage rates come to blows, and referee Kevin Sataki better fasten his safety belt. Zhang (17-6, 1-0 UFC) has the crowd behind him and a ton of momentum with 10 straight knockouts at his back. LFA vet Diaz (9-2, 0-0 UFC) will certainly not shy away from a brawl, and it could get wild in a hurry. The two clap their hands together, and it is Zhang who moves directly to the center of the cage. The fans are energized and chanting support for “Mountain Tiger,” who leads the dance with a push kick and then two calf kicks. Diaz leaps forward with a left hand that is blocked, and he ducks down and nearly gets kneed. Zhang splits the guard with a leaping left hand, and Diaz lunges at him back with a jab. Diaz’ jab is countered by a few leg kicks, and Zhang reaches him with a left hand up top. Diaz scores a right hand to make the Chinese fighter smile, and Zhang races after him loaded for bear. Diaz backs him off with an overhand right, and he slips away from a body jab but cannot get out of the way of a one-two. Diaz plunks his foe with a right hand around the guard, and Zhang smiles and resets. Zhang hammers the front leg, and he nails Diaz with a short but devastating elbow that puts Diaz down. Barely still with it, Diaz turns to his knees and turtles up, and the man from China rushes after him to pummel him. About a dozen swarming punches get through from Zhang before Sataki has seen enough, and Zhang’s 100% finish rate—all in the first round—stays intact by crushing the LFA vet. The crowd goes wild.

The Official Result

Mingyang Zhang def. Osman Diaz R1 2:25 via TKO (Elbow and Punches)

Volkan Oezdemir (206) vs. Carlos Ulberg (205.5)

Round 1

From one pair of knockout-friendly 205ers to another we go, this time with rankings implications on the line. A spot in the top 10 could loom for the victor. Former title challenger Oezdemir (20-7, 8-6 UFC) does not care about the odds and plans on springing an upset with his mighty fists, while Ulberg (10-1, 6-1 UFC) wants to take no time to put “No Time” away. Referee Mike Beltran dons his proverbial hard hat before the fighters get after it, and he commences the melee as the light heavyweights touch ‘em up. Oezdemir has no fear and wades into the fray almost immediately, landing a leg kick and a punch. Ulberg responds with a few kicks, one of which bounces off the cup. Beltran calls time, and Oezdemir waves him off so they do not stop. Oezdemir continues plugging forward, chewing up the front leg with kicks and swiping left hooks to the body. Oezdemir walks face-first into a left hand, and he lets Ulberg kick and fall over so he can chase him with hooks. Ulberg springs to his feet and escapes, only for Oezdemir to chase after him and lunge with a big left hook. Oezdemir scores with a booming strike, Ulberg gives him one back, and both men are on notice that a knockout could come with one blow. Oezdemir’s face turns red from the impacting shots of the Kiwi, who backs off against the fence and prepares counters. Oezdemir lands three punches, gets away and then kicks the front leg. A sneaky knee from Oezdemir gets through as they briefly consider a clinch, and he clubs Ulberg with a right hand when meandering forward with his chin high and hands low. Ulberg’s leg kick is countered with a sharp left hook, and he strafes away to make sure no harm was done from the concussive blow. Oezdemir reaches him with another power left hook, and he chains a leg kick into it. Ulberg prods out jabs and backs off when a front kick meets his sternum, and Oezdemir is the bull to Ulberg’s matador. Oezdemir connects with a few strikes, and Ulberg gives him a few back to think about. Both men blast one another with huge left hands, and Oezdemir gets the worst of an exchange and has to back off. Ulberg strings punches and kicks together in rapid succession, and Oezdemir reaches him with swiping left hooks. Three massive punches from Ulberg slam into the guard and still knock Oezdemir’s head around, but the Swiss fighter is not concerned. Instead, Oezdemir attacks the front leg and causes the City Kickboxing fighter to stumble. Oezdemir darts forward, going to the body, and this reminds Ulberg that he can do that too, as he chains two hooks to the body into a head kick. Oezdemir rips a left to the liver, lands a right hand and then a head kick, and the two have reached the end of Round 1. 10-9 Ulberg.

Round 2

The light heavyweights meet in the middle, and Oezdemir says hello with three kicks on both sides. Ulberg uses his jab to try to stop the kicks from landing, but it does not slow Oezdemir, who buckles his foe’s knee for a second. Ulberg responds with a powerful right hand that knocks Oezdemir back, and “No Time” takes a look at his watch and loads up with power strikes. Ulberg takes them on the chin and fires back with impunity, and they trade hooks in the pocket as Oezdemir sways just enough to dodge the worst of them. Oezdemir slips in to score a right hand and a body kick, and they smack one another with left hooks. Ulberg scoops hooks around the guard, and Oezdemir shrugs at him. Ulberg’s jab marks up Oezdemir’s nose, and he keeps it framed in front of him to discourage Oezdemir from wildly approaching. They connect at the same time, and Oezdemir lands at the end of the short flurry. Oezdemir loops a left over the guard, and he doubles up on it and kicks the calf. A left from Ulberg to the liver causes Oezdemir to briefly double over, but it might be sandbagging as he comes out swinging and even partially lands a spinning back fist. Ulberg busts Oezdemir’s nose open with a one-two, sharper and more accurate while Oezdemir is swinging recklessly. Ulberg’s jab sets up opportunities for him to move and counter, and he takes a leg kick to put a right hand down the middle. Oezdemir checks a kick and fires back with two, and the second stops Ulberg from swinging at him. Oezdemir swings, misses and tries a standing hammerfist. Ulberg keeps moving, and Oezdemir chases without slowing and spins again with a back fist that goes wide. Ulberg probes the nose with his jab and stomps out with a kick, using the rangy strikes to keep Oezdemir from reaching him. Oezdemir misses a left hook by a matter of inches, and he gets clubbed with a right hand in response. Oezdemir keeps his guard up high to defend from the oncoming blows, and he spins after whiffing to have a back fist bounce off Ulberg’s gloves. Ulberg clips Oezdemir with a left hook, and the horn blares. 10-9 Ulberg.

Round 3

Perhaps a surprise to some, the strikers have reached the third round. They pick up right where they left off, with Oezdemir walking Ulberg down ready to throw hands. Ulberg snipes him from his preferred range, using straight strikes to Oezdemir’s hooks. Oezdemir gets his hands on the Kiwi with clubbing hooks, hurting Ulberg. Ulberg escapes as fast as he can, skipping to the side and keeping his wits about him. Oezdemir punches his way into a surprise takedown attempt, and Ulberg shucks him to the side. Oezdemir leaves himself wide open to get caught with a right hook, stumbling him but not putting him down. Instead, Oezdemir takes another huge right hand, and he somehow pops Ulberg with a hammerfist. Oezdemir slides away from a punch just enough to counter with a booming left, and Ulberg’s chin is made of sterner stuff. Ulberg’s intercepting jab flusters and bloodies Oezdemir up, and he chains a right after the jab to sting Oezdemir again. Oezdemir tries to pay him back with a left hook, only for his strike to deal less damage. Oezdemir kicks the leg and blocks a counter to come up top with a left hook, and he allows Ulberg to bang into his guard so he can swing with short but looping strikes. Ulberg keeps him at arm’s reach, absorbing a low kick and scoring two right hands. Oezdemir counters a single jab, but it does not dissuade Ulberg from throwing them. The Swiss fighter sits down on a low kick, and he shoots for a takedown and has to abandon ship when Ulberg pushes him over. They reset standing, and they both jab at one another. Oezdemir blocks a head kick to blast Ulberg in the face with a left hook, and Ulberg tanks it like a champ. A straight right hand from Oezdemir stuns his opponent, and Oezdemir tries to keep a stiff upper lip but is getting busted up and slowing considerably. Oezdemir kicks the front leg, backing off to bait Ulberg in and unleash a spinning wheel kick. “Black Jag” dodges it, and the two reach the final horn. 10-9 Ulberg (30-27 Ulberg).

The Official Result

Carlos Ulberg def. Volkan Oezdemir via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Cong Wang (126) vs. Gabriella Fernandes (126)

Round 1

Fresh off a crushing 62-second debut three months ago, Wang (6-0, 1-0 UFC) wants to ride the wave and climb the flyweight ladder in a hurry. Wang will serve as the largest betting favorite of the evening, coming in with astronomical odds above -1000. She meets Brazil’s Fernandes (9-3, 1-2 UFC) in her sophomore effort, with referee Marc Goddard drawing the charge between them. They touch gloves, and Wang wastes little time as she kicks the front calf early. Wang tries another kick, but the Brazilian dances out of the way and kicks her back. Wang meanders her way in, feinting and faking before firing off a thumping kick to the ribcage. Wang slides away from a left hook to kick the front leg, and he jabs the body. The woman from China kicks her in the midsection, and she slips away to dodge a sweeping kick. Another front kick lands for Wang, who is able to stay at her preferred range while she picks her shots carefully. Wang punches high and to the body, and Fernandes retaliates with her back against the wall. Wang’s question mark kick buzzes the hair of the Brazilian, and she digs to the body again but it is caught. Fernandes lets loose with a right hand up high, and Wang rips the body twice as Fernandes tries to get away. Wang continues working the midsection, absorbing a left hand without batting an eye so she can loose a head kick. Wang plants a side kick on the torso, and she splits the guard with a one-two. Fernandes’ offense is largely muted, as she wishes to take the fight down while Wang is all about hitting her in the face. Wang stops the takedown and gets clubbed in both sides of the head, and she recovers to let loose a right hand up top. Fernandes takes a right hand to the ribs and gets popped with an overhand right when trying to counter, and she surprises “The Joker” with a short flurry that leads into a takedown attempt. Fernandes bullies Wang to the wall but cannot ground her, and she clips Wang with a looping left hand as they get after it. Fernandes lands again flush with a left hook, and Wang’s body work continues to have an impact. Wang ducks down, the two clash heads and Fernandes misses with a left hook. A side kick from Wang punctuates the fairly one-sided round. 10-9 Wang.

Round 2

The flyweights touch ‘em up to start Round 2, and it is right where they left off with Wang aiming body shots while Fernandes keeps to the outer edge looking for the occasional counter one-two. Wang is more fluid and active, and she strings unusual strikes together like a left hook into a step-in side kick. Wang boxes her way in, working the head and body and sliding back when the Brazilian launches haymakers at her. Another side kick from Wang finds its home on the ribs, and she fakes an overhand right to make Fernandes flinch. Wang watches a head kick whiz by her so she can set up a low kick on the plant leg, and she fires off a high kick much faster than her foe. Fernandes measures and fires a body kick, and she misses on a big left hand and a looping kick as Wang stands confidently before her. Wang winds up her hands before unloading them on Fernandes’ jaw and torso, and Fernandes bounces off the fence and chin-checks her opponent as they crash together. Fernandes lands a leg kick, and Wang’s one-twos to the body keep reaching the target. Wang probes through the guard with jabs, dodging only when strikes come her way. Wang walks directly into a head kick, and she is stunned by the damaging blow. They both fall to the floor, and Fernandes gets up faster and starts to brawl. Wang engages, her legs not totally beneath her, and Fernandes busts her in the chops with short but effective hooks. The massive favorite hits the deck, and before she can scramble to her knees, Fernandes is on her back with both hooks in. Fernandes wraps up a rear-naked choke, and she adjusts her hands to fasten the submission. The choke is under the chin and it is a matter of time at this point, as Wang is flattened out on her stomach with no way out. Goddard is watching closely, and he appears to see the life leaving Wang’s body and intervenes. Incredible! Fernandes just pulled off the betting upset of the year and one of the biggest in UFC history, with Wang somewhere around -1300 to Fernandes’ +725 on the comeback. Just like that, the hype train of Wang has taken a tremendous hit, although with only six wins into her pro career, it might be a lesson to bettors to value one brief UFC win that greatly. Meanwhile, Fernandes speaks about the adversity she went through leading up to the bout, with multiple deaths in her family including one she learned about this morning. What a sport this is.

The Official Result

Gabriella Fernandes def. Cong Wang R2 3:49 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Kenan Song (171) vs. Muslim Salikhov (170.5)

Round 1

Two welterweights with finish rates of 75% or above collide as the main card continues, with two relative elder statesmen in the weight class plying their trade against one another. Song (22-8, 6-4 UFC) celebrates an equal number of knockouts to submissions, while “King of Kung Fu” Salikhov (20-5, 7-4 UFC) is all about the former. Referee Mark Craig will serve as the cage commander for a tense showdown, one that kicks off as the fighters clap hands. Song comes in, and before he can throw, Salikhov kicks his front leg. Song tries again, this time reaching out with a left hand first. Salikhov chops at the leg again, and he blocks a high kick. They both attempt leg kicks, and Salikhov doubles up on his efforts. Song guards against a few punches and throws a few back to counter, and he is driven away with a spinning back kick that lands square on his ribs. Salikhov kicks and then opens up with two left hooks, and as there are lulls in the action, the crowd begins riling up in support of the Chinese competitor. Salikhov darts in and out to attack, picking his shots until getting met with a spinning back kick coming back his way. Salikhov grits it out and blasts the lead wheel with a kick. Song does not like this, and he blitzes forward, drilling Salikhov in the side of the head and stunning him. As Song closes in, he clinches, and a knee bangs into Salikhov’s cup. Song backs away apologetically to allow Craig to call time, and Salikhov takes 40 seconds to get his wind back. They restart, and Salikhov picks up where he left off with calf kicks. Salikhov scores a right hand, catches a head kick and dumps Song to the mat. Salikhov backs off, with no interest in exploring the ground game, and instead he keeps adding money in the bank with these vicious calf kicks. Song shakes his leg out and hops away from a spinning back fist, and he races forward with a left hand. The Russian, known for his spinning arsenal, dips into the well with a wheel kick that smashes cleanly into the melon of Song. “The Assassin” crumples to the ground in a heap, rolling to his side as he is bordering on the edge of consciousness. Salikhov drums him out with two hammerfists that are academic at best, and Craig gets between them to tend to the defeated fighter. Song comes to before long and he graciously accepts the loss. Meanwhile, Salikhov becomes the first fighter in company history to deliver multiple knockouts via wheel kick. The “King of Kung Fu” is for real, even at the ripe age of 40.

The Official Result

Muslim Salikhov def. Kenan Song via R1 3:49 via KO (Spinning Wheel Kick)

Xiaonan Yan (116) vs. Tabatha Ricci (115.5)

Round 1

It’s a top-10 contest at strawweight in the co-headliner, with a former title challenger in Yan (18-4, 1 NC; 8-3 UFC) trying to cement her place atop the division. She draws Brazilian grappler Ricci (11-2, 6-2 UFC), who will try to tie her up like a pretzel. With both ladies sporting finish rates of 50% or lower, referee Marc Goddard may not be needed for the proceedings, but the judges are on standby in case they are called upon to hand in their scorecards. The women want to get right to business, and Ricci runs a circle around her opponent without a glove touch in sight. Yan looks to set up her jab early, and Ricci’s frenetic movement keep her away. Yan reaches her foe with a one-two, and she swipes with a left to the body. Ricci gets driven back to the wall when blocking a right hand, and she bounces off and resets. Another clubbing right hand from Yan makes Ricci think twice about approaching with her guard low, and Ricci responds with a takedown effort that is effortlessly stuffed. Yan sits down on a solid right hand, and the Brazilian wears it well. Yan reaches her once more with a right, and she whiffs on a subsequent one-two and a front kick. Yan targets the body as she can get away with seemingly anything on the feet, as Ricci does not have much to offer standing. Yan’s one-two makes Ricci drift in and out, and she digs two kicks to the midsection to follow. Ricci has a low kick checked as she keeps moving, and a head kick is feet away from her intended target. Yan clips her chin with a left hook, and she rushes forward with a right and an axe kick. Yan scoops a left around the guard, and a one-two is chained into it. Ricci charges in, but her tackling takedown makes her bounce off the chest of her opponent as the horn sounds. The Brazilian may not have landed a single strike that round. 10-9 Yan.

Round 2

Yan swats at the body and head without fear of reprisal, and Ricci sits down and hits Yan with a body kick. Yan responds in kind, and she loops a left up top. When Ricci advances, Yan blasts her in the face with a stern right hand. Ricci appears stunned, and she dives after a takedown. Yan keeps her occupied with a few more punches and a head kick to think about, but Ricci is still able to wrap Yan up and drag her to the canvas. Yan scrambles effectively to kick off and get back to her feet, and she nails the Brazilian with a right hand that again hurts “Baby Shark.” Yan points at the ground in front of her when Ricci escapes, and she opens a cut on Ricci’s left eyebrow from her right hand. Yan chains punches into a head kick, and Ricci barely gets away. Yan kicks low and strings three punches together, and Ricci’s flailing response is easily dodged. Yan swings a right hand that nails Ricci on the eyebrow, and she kicks the Brazilian in the ribs because there is almost nothing keeping her honest at this point. Ricci’s charge is met by a counter right, and Yan measures her and pops her with a one-two. Ricci kicks the front leg and is partially checked, and she has to stand firm as she takes a one-two on the chin. They land left hands at the same time, and Yan’s mouthguard falls out. Goddard gets her to replace it, and Ricci runs forward throwing hands. The Brazilian lands with a power punch, and she takes that brief bit of momentum to bowl Yan to the fence. As Ricci swings wildly and does little, the horn sounds. 10-9 Yan.

Round 3

Reaching the third round, the two meet in the middle fighting behind their jab. It is Yan’s that actually lands, while Ricci’s paws at air. Ricci still cannot find her range 10 minutes into the bout, while Yan easily gets her hands on her with a flurry. A responsive flurry from Ricci is parried without concern, and she kicks the front leg only to be met with a turned shin that checks it. Yan drills her foe with a one-two, and a second right hand comes shortly thereafter. As Ricci meanders forward, Yan’s counter left hook gives her pause. Yan drives home another accurate right hand, and Ricci feebly attempts a head kick that is a safe distance away. Yan jabs and puts a bit of mustard behind one left hand, and she races in punching. Ricci tries to do the same, and when she jumps with a Superwoman punch, Yan knocks her back with a stern right. Ricci scores a left hand, and Yan stands and looks at her as if to send a message that her strikes do not impact her. Yan lets Ricci fly by her so she can bust her in the chops with short two-punch salvos, and she jabs the body a few times. Yan slaps her foot off Ricci’s guard, and the gust of wind behind a right hand makes the Brazilian stumble back. Ricci reaches her foe at the end of a right, and she dives after a single but ends up landing on her face. Yan takes one to land three, and she dips in a few times to deliver body shots. Yan catches her opponent on the way in with left hands, as she picks her target to the head and midsection. Ricci scores a right hand, only for Yan to pay her back in spades. Yan hits harder, faster and more accurately. Ricci tries mightily, swarming her way in, and Yan boots her in the face. Yan points at the ground to initiate a final brawl, but time expires to end this one-sided affair. 10-9 Yan (30-27 Yan).

The Official Result

Xiaonan Yan def. Tabatha Ricci via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Petr Yan (135.5) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (135)

Round 1

A big one at 135 pounds wraps up this fight card, with a possible title challenger emerging depending on the result. Former beltholder Yan (17-5, 9-4 UFC) has struggled as of late but did right the ship in March with a decision over Yadong Song. On the other side of the cage stands ex-flyweight kingpin Figueiredo (24-3-1, 13-3-1 UFC), whose run at the new division has gone swimmingly thus far with three wins in three appearances. Whether he makes it four in the next 25 minutes or less, referee Mike Beltran and his outstanding moustache will be here for it every step of the way. As he brings them to the center of the cage to issue final instructions, the combatants eagerly bump their fists together. Yan starts aggressively, backing the Brazilian off early. Figueiredo strikes first with a body kick and shoots for a takedown, and Yan defends the double but falls victim to an inside trip takedown. Figueiredo lands in the guard, with Yan smacking him off his back. Yan tries to elevate and sweep his opponent, and Figueiredo hangs on from above when Yan turns to his knees. Figueiredo looks to keep Yan grounded, staying heavy on Yan’s back and following Yan when he rolls. Yan elbows from behind, bopping Figueiredo on the nose a few times as the bantamweights keep twisting and turning. Yan uses elbows to the thigh to break up a partial leg grip around him, and this results in Figueiredo getting both hooks in and taking the back. Figueiredo looks for a body triangle, and Yan maintains a two-on-one wrist lock so he can explode and twist around to claim top position. Yan gets off a single elbow before Figueiredo grips hold of him with all of his might, and Yan drags him to put his neck on the corner of the fence and the floor. Yan covers the Brazilian’s mouth when not driving his elbow into his face, and he postures up every so often to land a strike. Yan drills his man with a solid right hammerfist and an elbow with his other arm, forcing Figueiredo to turn to his side in an escape attempt. Figueiredo bucks and kicks, but Yan stays above him scoring a solid right hand. As Figueiredo leaps back to his feet, Yan knees him hard, and he kicks the front leg while Figueiredo circles away to end the round. 10-9 Yan.

Round 2

The bantamweights re-engage after five minutes of largely grappling, with Yan setting up punches and a head kick with a low kick. Figueiredo walks through a stomping kick to his knee to fire off his own head kick, and Yan blocks it and blasts the front leg with his shin. Figueiredo sits down on a clubbing right hand that sends Yan backpedaling, and it is one-and-done so Yan recovers without issue. Yan strikes again with a low kick, and he kicks high. Yan is warned for outstretched fingers, and he belts the Brazilian in the body with his foot. A level change from Figueiredo is easily thwarted, and Yan chops at his front leg when his foe backs off. Figueiredo absorbs a head kick, blocks a second and retaliates with one to the ribs. Yan steps in with a right hook, and he brings up a knee shield to defend a body kick. Figueiredo whizzes past his man to connect a right hand, and he spins with a wheel kick and misses the mark. A second power right from Figueiredo wobbles Yan’s legs, and he spins with a back kick that pounds into the ribcage. Yan bounces off the wall and gets his bearings, with Figueiredo not committing to anything additional. Yan kicks the lead leg and then reaches out with a left hand, and Figueiredo trips and hits the floor but climbs up without concern. A jumping switch kick from Figueiredo bounces off the guard, and he lunges in with a right hand and checks a leg kick. Yan plants a left hand on the cheek, stuffs a takedown and does it again. Two clean punches from Yan make Figueiredo blink it out, and his fingers are pointed towards his opponent and draw another warning. They clash shins together with simultaneous kicks, and Figueiredo’s hooks get his foe’s attention. Yan pays him back with an elbow up close, and his kicks pepper “Daico” on the way out. Figueiredo wraps two hooks around the guard, and Yan keeps his fist outstretched to back Figueiredo off. Yan hits a clean trip and throw, and Figueiredo throws his legs up for a triangle as the bell sounds. 10-9 Figueiredo.

Round 3

The fighters are revved up and excited to get back to hitting one another in the face, so much so that Beltran has to back them off. When they start, it takes nearly 20 seconds before they strike. Yan jabs and kicks with his front leg, and Figueiredo hammers the body with a left hand. Yan chips at the front leg, backing away to block a body kick. Both fighters switch stances time and again directly in front of one another, and Figueiredo kicks his way into a tackling double-leg takedown. Yan’s scramble allows him to grab hold of one leg, and he is able to escape before long. Yan slams home a low kick, and he connects with a short but explosive uppercut that stuns and sends Figueiredo falling to his back. Yan climbs into the guard in hopes of finishing the job, but “Deus da Guerra” is hanging tight to protect himself from further damage. Figueiredo wall-walks and shoves Yan away, and Yan walks him down and boots him in the front leg. Figueiredo switches stances immediately, and Yan kicks him in the ribs but eats a right hand up top for his handiwork. The two crash together, and the impact sounds like they clacked heads. Figueiredo breaks out of the clinch and throws a haymaker from downtown, one that does not hit the broad side of a barn. Figueiredo hunts for a step-in trip, and he hand-fights Yan who is trying to box his way in. Figueiredo connects with a body kick, and he reaches out with a right hand as Yan shakes it off. Yan times a head kick, and Figueiredo boots him in the chest right back. Figueiredo splits the guard with a one-two, and a body shot makes Yan take a second to think about things. Figueiredo closes in on him and digs several uppercuts up the middle, and he appears to find a strike that is doing some serious damage. A few more uppercuts ring Figueiredo’s bell, and Yan leaps in the air to knee Figueiredo on the chin. Figueiredo gets his mouthpiece knocked out, and Beltran has him replace it. When Figueiredo puts the gumshield back in, he looses one final combination of strikes that lead him to the horn. 10-9 Yan.

Round 4

It is championship round time, and both men still appear to have a full head of steam. Figueiredo rushes out of his corner to engage, lobbing kicks from both legs. Yan attempts a trip and throw, and he disrupts Figueiredo’s footwork to make him hit the floor. Figueiredo’s mad scramble gets him upright in seconds, and they resume from striking range. They hand-fight until Figueiredo kicks his man in the ribs. Figueiredo shoots for a double, and he leverages Yan to the wall when the first try fails. Figueiredo tries with a single, lifting Yan’s leg but not going anywhere. Yan pushes him away, and they reset. Yan times a powerful uppercut that knocks Figueiredo’s mouthpiece out, and he follows it with a head kick that is just blocked in time. Beltran waits until he has an opening to give the Brazilian back his mouthpiece, and he replaces it. Yan slaps Figueiredo in the face with his toes, and he slides back when Figueiredo bears down on him. The boxing of Yan allows him to slip a huge punch and uppercut Figueiredo cleanly, and when they are in close range, Figueiredo claims about glove grabs. Figueiredo dips down and fires off a body shot, and two punches go up top. Yan jabs and steps in with an elbow, and a piece of his tape on his thumb comes off. Figueiredo blasts the body with a ferocious left hand, and he ducks a looping strike for a takedown shot. Yan stifles the effort and just misses with a booming head kick, but he does connect with uppercuts and a flying knee when the two let loose. Figueiredo tries his own uppercut, and he blocks a head kick and comes over the top with a left. Figueiredo strides forward to unleash a right hand, and Yan goes flying. When Yan gets up, Figueiredo hurts his man in the body with follow-up strikes, and Yan steels himself and unloads a series of uppercuts until time expires. 10-9 Yan.

Round 5

Five minutes left to work, and the fighters touch ‘em up one last time. Yan hand-fights on his way into attack, and Figueiredo catches him with an uppercut. Yan tries to escape, but one left hand to the body gets his attention again. Yan attempts a big knee when Figueiredo is ducking, and it grazes off the red line on Figueiredo’s dome. Figueiredo gets clinched, eats a knee and an uppercut without landing anything before getting shoved back. Yan goes into boxer mode, pinning his punches on Figueiredo’s chin again and again. Figueiredo throws back with bad intentions, shaking his foe up with an elbow and a few mighty left hands. Figueiredo digs a kick to the body, and he watches as body kick soar past him. Figueiredo shoots, Yan sprawls and they reset. Yan steps in with a left hand, slides away and does not get tagged on the counter. Yan rifles off a left hand, and Figueiredo decides to pay him back with a clubbing right hook. Yan bounces off the fencing and absorbs a flush body shot, and he just misses with a huge uppercut. Yan spins with an elbow, and Figueiredo grins and tells him good work. Figueiredo points to the ground in what has been a gesture repeated frequently today, and Yan shrugs it off and times another spinning strike. Yan scores an elbow, and Figueiredo drives an elbow into the torso. Another elbow forces Figueiredo to back off, if only for a second, and Yan smacks him cleanly with a flying switch kick. Figueiredo boots him in the head with a question-mark kick, and he hurts the Russian with two huge right hands. Figueiredo rushes forward to attack, and both fighters duck down and crash together. Figueiredo goes hind quarters-over-tea kettle and falls off the back, and he jumps back up and walks Yan down, throwing everything he has at his opponent. Yan looks for a knee up the middle, and he belts the Brazilian’s body with his shin. Figueiredo swings hard, and he stops a takedown. Yan scores with one more left hand, and this terrific 25-minute engagement comes to a close. A few rounds were close, but one fighter appeared to outwork the other over the course of their “Fight of the Night”-worthy battle. Both men climb to the top of the cage to celebrate their handiwork, hugging it out and taking time to enjoy the crowd showering them with love. 10-9 Yan (49-46 Yan).

The thriller in the books, the victorious Yan is joined in the cage by his son, who it appears may be watching his father fight live for the very first time. Like the winner of the co-main event, Yan calls for another title shot, although he is two fights removed from the championship bout and not one like the strawweight from earlier. Even in defeat, Figueiredo is all smiles, appreciating Yan’s handiwork and generally a happy camper. With that, UFC Macau is in the books, and there is no UFC next week as it is Thanksgiving week in America. Instead, PFL runs its championship event on Friday, which contains a remarkable 10 title fights. We will be there for each and every one, and we hope you are too.

The Official Result

Petr Yan def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)