Li Jingliang reminded MMA fans why he’s become one of the biggest stars not only in China but in Asia period with an exciting third round finish of top welterweight Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos entered UFC Shenzhen on a seven fight win streak under the UFC banner, having won every bout since his promotional debut loss in 2015. The Brazilian had quietly become a force in the welterweight division, and on Saturday, he was paired up with one of the best fighters in China, Li Jingliang. In fact, ‘The Leech’ was probably the best fighter out of China until main event title contender Weili Zhang came along.
Li had won two straight heading into UFC Shenzhen, and was 8-3 overall in the promotion to start the night.
The Brazilian Zaleski dos Santos was throwing some heavy kicks early, but that backfired later when Li caught a kick and dumped him. Zaleski dos Santos, however, was right back to his feet. Li went to the body with a punch, while his opponent continued to favor kicks. However, a kick hitting home would allow Zaleski dos Santos to come over the top with a left, landing. With a little over a minute remaining, Li would force his opponent back with a combination, charging forward. That attack left Zaleski dos Santos with a cut under the eye. Moments later, Li would drop his opponent with a right! The Brazilian would jump back on and clinch, which likely saved him as the round came to a close.
Li Jingliang opened the second round strong, connecting early. Zaleski dos Santos fired back; ‘The Leech’ fired off a big swing that missed. Zaleski dos Santos feigned a few kicks, but his output wasn’t where it needed to be. He’d finally turn things up mid-round, walking Li down and firing a combo. Li, however, moved out of danger and pressed forward for his own attack, touching the Brazilian’s jaw at the end of a combination. Zaleski dos Santos answered back, landing a right after a combo. A bit of phone booth fighting, at close range, entailed. Li, however, has always had a solid jaw, and that didn’t look like it was about the change. Zaleski dos Santos landed a clean left just before the buzzer, but Li may have won a close round.
Round three was feeling like a do-or-die situation for Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. With Li fighting at home, likely up two rounds, the Brazilian needed to find a finish. Instead, the first half the the round saw him unable to land anything clean. Li, aware he was up on the scorecards, switched to an elusive, defensive style. He also managed to catch a kick, taking his opponent down, then nearly capitalized on a slip moments later. With ninety seconds left, things were looking desperate for Zaleski dos Santos. Time ticked down. Then, with barely ten seconds remaining, the finish came! Only, not for the Brazilian. Li connected with an uppercut, rocking Zaleski dos Santos, who suddenly had the legs of a baby deer. He went down. Li moved in for the kill, as his opponent stood back up, trying to cover up. He was on his way out as the ref moved in for the save, giving Li the late-third round finish!
A huge win for Li, who is in an interesting spot in the welterweight division: far from the title picture, but having stopped one of the most impressive win streaks in the division, outside the champ, and next title challenger. What comes next for ‘The Leech’ should be interesting, but for now, he’ll continue to help propel the sport to new heights in China.
Li Jingliang def. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos by TKO, Round 3, 4:51
