The Road to UFC tournament is returning this month, with fighters from around Asia in four different weight classes vying for contracts with the UFC. This time out, women’s strawweight is in the mix, replacing the lightweight division on the men’s side. Flyweight, bantamweight, and featherweight remain as part of Road to UFC 3, with featherweights and women’s strawweights continuing their journey in the second episode, which arrives on May 18, 2024 at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China.
We’ve got all the talent on the upcoming season scouted — here’s a look!
Featherweight, Xie Bin Vs. Yibugele
Tale of the Tape
Tianjin, China
26
Five-foot-ten
11-4
Combined opponent’s record: 57-31-3
Jiangsu, China
34
Five-foot-nine
24-12-1, 1 NC
Combined opponent’s record: 157-114-11
Pros and Cons
Xie Bin
Pros
- Submission threat/Excellent d’arce choke
- Fights long well
- Good wrestling
- Good ground and pound
- Dangerous jumping knee
- Solid jiu-jitsu
- Long jab
Cons
- TDD needs work
- Loose in positions
- Easy to get hit
- Sloppy at times
Pros
- Good footwork
- Precise
- Good takedown defense
- Dictates the pace
- Good left hand
Cons
- Questionable chin
- Vulnerable when rushing forwards
- Hands low
Prediction: The UFC brass obviously wants Bin in the UFC. He fought on the Contender Series and lost and then on Road to UFC Season 1 and he lost there as well. Now he’s back to take away a spot someone else deserved more.
Yibugele is also another returning contestant but he’s coming in on short notice. Bin struggles badly against even mid-tier guys but with Yibugele that’s the level of guys he’s been beating. Bin should have this fight covered everywhere but it’s tough to feel confident in him.
