Las Vegas — Chinese flyweight Su Mudaerji returned to action at UFC 326, picking up a decision victory over Mexico’s Jesus Aguilar in a fight that he admits was “a bit different from what [I] expected.”
The plan, said Mudaerji while speaking through an interpreter, was to try and finish his opponent. That didn’t come to pass. After two years of struggles due to knee surgery, however, the Chinese star said he was in “the best place” in his career to date, and wants a “ranked opponent next.”
Mudaerji (19-7) did get a lesson in Mexican fighting spirit on Saturday. “The Tibetan Eagle” said he “really now knows Mexican’s toughness.” After hitting with a flying knee in the first round, Mudaerji’s “knee was hurting bad, but he was coming forward.” Past that, the flyweight added that Aguilar looked “exhausted all the time, but he kept going.”
Up next, having won three straight, Mudaerji is looking high up the flyweight rankings. “Anyone in top five is what [I’m] looking for next.” Ideally, Mudaerji wants to fight on the UFC’s Macau card later this year.
As for the title fight between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira, Su Mudaerji admitted it was “hard to predict,” but is hoping Van gets the victory. Mainly because Mudaerji was “offered Joshua Van” at one point, only for visa issues to keep him out of the fight. It’s a bout he’d like to get back on the books.
Watch the full UFC 326 post-fight press conference with Su Mudaerji above.
