China’s Qileng Aori represented a rather large question mark heading into UFC 261.
The “Mongolian Murderer” had a solid record, an extraordinarily cool nickname, but was a virtual unknown outside his native China. Paired up with an impressive Contender Series winner in Jeffrey Molina, both flyweights had a chance to make a big statement in their promotional debut.
Molina stayed busy on the outside at the start of the evening’s second scrap. Leg kicks, stances switches, and plenty of footwork were on display. Aori took a more patient approach, loading up when he did swing. Aori then closed the distance, punching his way in and dropping for a takedown. As they tied up along the cage, the first boo-birds of the evening were heard, but were soon silenced as the pair began trading. Another level change followed, and that time, Aori landed the takedown. Molina would eventually escape up, but a knee to the body was landed by the Chinese fighter. They’d finish the round on the feet, Molina finding some success with his right hand.
Round two found Jeff Molina in a familiar position, with his back against the fence. As long as he was circling, that wasn’t the biggest concern, but at times, Aori was backing him up a little too much. However, a stance switch later, and Molina moved to center, catching Aori with a combination upstairs. Shortly after that, Molina dropped Aori with a punch, but the Chinese newcomer was right back up, and clipped Molina in turn. Aori got right in Molina’s face, launching a flying knee; when Molina fired back, Aori just ate the punches. He didn’t eat the right hand that dropped him right at the end of the round, however. Instead, Molina sat his opponent down, catching him right on the jaw while Aori was exposed throwing a kick.
It's anyones fight 😳
These guys are going for it in RD 2! #UFC261 pic.twitter.com/ntw3ZDB4Z1
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2021
Things picked up right where they left off in round three, trading back-and-forth. Aori began just walking Molina down once again, eating his opponent’s attacks. But Molina landed an uppercut, and began doing damage to the Chinese fighter. Suddenly, Aori was backing up. An elbow landed for Molina. Molina began putting on a striking clinic, hurting Aori, seemingly landing at will. And just when it seemed like Molina was going to run away with at least the round, Aori tagged him with a right hand, rocking him.
They’d go to the judges, with the third round turning out to be the difference marker for Jeff Molina. Statement made.
Official Result: Jeff Molina def. Qileng Aori by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
