Promising Chinese prospect Song Kenan returned at UFC Shenzhen, earning a decision win over the gritty Derrick Krantz.
Derrick Krantz had made his UFC debut in Rochester this past May, a short-notice replacement against Vicente Luque. Krantz came up short that night, but the former LFA welterweight champion had a second chance to make a strong impression at UFC Shenzhen on Saturday. There, he took on Chinese prospect Song Kenan, who had won two straight to open his UFC career. Most recently, however, Song had lost a decision to Alex Morono in Beijing.
Song closed the distance and launched a kick to the body to open the fight against Krantz. The American looked a half-step slower, and Song took advantage, moving well, and firing off a couple more kicks. Krantz would add leg kicks of his own, and his right hand would land, but throughout the first, Song’s kicks, low and high, were more varied, and more successful. Krantz would begin to circle, and begin pressing the pace as the round wore on, but he couldn’t seem to get his timing down until the final thirty seconds. Then, Krantz would land with a couple of heavy punches, but Song responded with a flying knee, not landing clean, and a high kick.
The second had Krantz evading a jab, scooping Song up, and dropping him down. Not a huge slam, but impressive, and Krantz moved right into side control. Song tried to lock up his opponent’s head but was way out of position for a guillotine. Krantz moved to half guard and came close to mounting. Song tried to scoot back to the fence, and tried for a kimura, only for Krantz to briefly mount, only to be immediately reversed! Song took the back, but out the back door went Krantz, escaping. Krantz went back to the well, taking Song down again, this time along the fence. The American then locked on with a standing guillotine as Song worked back up. Song escaped, and the final minute saw a couple of transitions and some exciting grappling, including a triangle attempt from Song.
Between rounds, Krantz’s corner called for him to fight like it was his final fight, asking for five punches, presumably in a bunch. Despite his domination in wrestling in the second, he’d start round three trading, only to wind up bloodied and in danger. Song looked in the driver’s seat until a huge takedown from Krantz with around three minutes remaining. Krantz worked to the back, but slipped off, which allowed Song to move back to his feet. Kenan Song looked exhausted, however — but so did Krantz. Both men had their hands low. Song had a large lead in terms of striking in the third. A takedown might seal the deal, but Song was backing Krantz up, using his jab and front kick. Krantz would close and look for a body lock and takedown right at the buzzer, but it was too late.
Chinese athletes improve to 3-1 tonight after Song Kenan gets it done by unanimous decision! #UFCShenzhen pic.twitter.com/WPStlwVozB
— UFC (@ufc) August 31, 2019
With the third round secured, Song would go on to win the unanimous decision on the scorecards. That improved him to 3-1 in the UFC, and move Chinese fighters to 3-1 to that point in the event.
Song Kenan def. Derrick Krantz by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
