After joining the UFC by way of The Ultimate Fighter 29, middleweight Andre Petroski entered his second fight in the promotion Saturday, taking on China’s Hu Yaozong.

The UFC 267 preliminary card bout was the second fight on Saturday and saw Yaozong, who had started his run in the promotion at heavyweight, fight for the first time since 2018.

Petroski started early by jumping in with a leaping left hook that landed clean on Hu twice in a row. Hu tried to keep Petroski at distance with a big head kick, but after a slip, while attempting the kick he went down and Petroski jumped on with a slick guillotine attempt. Petroski wasn’t able to get the guillotine but had Hu’s back and looked for a rear-naked choke attempt while dropping bombs. However Hu scrambled out and the two went back to the feet where Petroski was landing more bombs. Petroski landed loads of big shots as Hu had little striking defense, but Petroski wasn’t able to get him out of there and was gassed heading into round two.

Petroski opened up with a big takedown to start round two but Hu quickly scrambled out. However, after a quick combination, he was on his back again. Petroski then dominated the rest of the round on the mat, as Hu was able to scramble out of all of Petroski’s submission attempts he wasn’t able to get anything off. He was able to scramble up to end the round, but he ate a big elbow on the exit which didn’t help matters.

Petroski predictably shot for a takedown to start round three and was stuffed. However, after landing a clean left, he was able to get a takedown on his second attempt of the round. Hu was able to scramble up, but Petroski landed a brutal 1-2 that landed clean. Hu was naturally unfazed, and tried to walk forward but was taken down once again. Petroski landed some big elbows from half-guard before moving to attempt an arm-triangle-choke. It took seemingly a million submission attempts throughout the fight, but he finally sunk this one in and got the finish.

Official Result: Andre Petroski def. Hu Yaozong via submission (arm-triangle choke) 4:43 of Round Three. 

The post UFC 267 Results: Andre Petroski Submits Durable Hu Yaozong appeared first on Cageside Press.

On the opposite end of the card, however, a more understated affair had been expected. Hu Yaozong vs. Alen Amedovski didn’t exactly have fans burning with anticipation. Instead, it had all the makings of a loser-leaves-town match-up, with both men on two-fight skids and winless inside the octagon.

Yaozong’s 3-2 record as a pro certainly wasn’t helping his case either. But in the end, the fight would not happen, at least not at UFC 264. On Saturday, the bout was pulled by the promotion, the result of COVID-19 protocols.

UFC officials announced the news roughly an hour out from the card’s anticipated start time.

“Due to COVID-19 protocols, the middleweight bout between Hu Yaozong and Alen Amedovski is canceled from tonight’s card,” a statement posted on the UFC’s official website read.

No explanation was given for exactly what COVID-19 protocol lead to the cancellation. A positive test by a fighter, one of their corners, or potential exposure to someone infected with SARS-CoV-2 could be the potential culprit.

There is no word on whether the UFC will seek to reschedule the bout for an upcoming event, or scrap it entirely.

UFC 264 is set to move forward with the following line-up:

Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor
Gilbert Burns vs. Stephen Thompson
Greg Hardy vs. Tai Tuivasa
Irene Aldana vs. Yana Kunitskaya
Kris Moutinho vs. Sean O’Malley
Carlos Condit vs. Max Griffin
Michel Pereira vs. Niko Price
Ryan Hall vs. Ilia Topuria
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Trevin Giles
Jessica Eye vs. Jennifer Maia
Omari Akhmedov vs. Brad Tavares
Jerome Rivera vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov

The main card airs live on PPV (via ESPN+ exclusively in the U.S.) following online and televised prelims.

The post UFC 264 Loses Hu Yaozong vs. Alen Amedovski Just Prior to Start Time appeared first on Cageside Press.

Yet again, a health supplement has landed a UFC fighter in hot water. This time, it’s China’s Yaozong Hu, who has been hit with a ten month suspension by USADA. The Anti-Doping agency, who handles the UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy, announced the news Friday in a press release.

Hu (3-2) has fought twice for the promotion, losing both outings. He made his debut at heavyweight, taking on Cyril Asker at UFC Shanghai in 2017. He followed that up with a move to light heavyweight, but lost to another former heavyweight, Rashad Coulter, at UFC Beijing in November 2018.

It will be a while before fans see Hu again. The fighter tested positive for arimistane and its metabolite 7β-hydroxy-androst-3,5-diene-17-one in an out-of-competition drug test on March 9, 2019. The substance falls under the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators. It’s prohibited from use at all times under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy.

The source in this case appears to have been a supplement. Per USADA’s press release, “USADA concluded that Hu’s positive test was caused by his use of a dietary supplement and that he was eligible for a minor reduction to the otherwise applicable one-year period of ineligibility for a doping offense involving a Specified Substance.” The reason for the reduction was Hu’s co-operation in the investigation, although the organization notes that “he subsequently realized that the product listed a prohibited substance on the label.”

The post UFC’s Yaozong Hu Hit with Ten Month Suspension Thanks to Supplement appeared first on Cageside Press.

For much of North America, UFC Beijing (UFC Fight Night 141) was a UFC Fight Pass exclusive. Not so in certain commonwealth nations, mind you, with BTSport, SONY SIX, and The Fight Network all broadcasting at least the main card in the U.K., India, and Canada, respectively. Where ever you watched it, however, there was plenty of action early in the night — or early in the morning, depending on your time zone.

Topping the card at UFC Beijing, a promising heavyweight rematch between Curtis Blaydes and Francis Ngannou. Just a few years ago, the pair clashed as promising prospects. While that fight ended in a doctor’s stoppage win for Ngannou, of late, their career trajectories had been extremely different. Ngannou came up short in a title challenge against Stipe Miocic at the start of the year. Not only that, he gassed out early, raising questions about his suitability as a contender/would-be champ. Then, to make matters worse he put on a career-worst performance against Derrick Lewis over the Summer that many called the worst heavyweight fight of all time. The abysmal performance raised doubts about his staying power in the sport.

Curtis Blaydes, meanwhile, smashed Alistair Overeem in his last appearance in the octagon, and with a multi-fight win streak, he’s poised to claim the next title shot. Well, the one after Brock Lesnar. Or perhaps Jon Jones. Maybe even Stipe. Heavyweight’s a crap shoot, but in any case, Blaydes has a chance for revenge, and to throw his name in the hat for a title shot eventually. The aforementioned Overeem is also on the card, as the former UFC title challenger and Strikeforce champ welcomes Russian heavyweight Sergey Pavlovich to the octagon.

The undercard, meanwhile, is as noticeable for what it lacks as what it has. No men’s flyweight bout, which does not bode well for the endangered division. Former 125lb’er Luis Smolka, however, returns to the UFC — at bantamweight. A light heavyweight contest between former heavyweight Rashad Coulter and Hu Yaozong, meanwhile, was bumped to a catchweight when Coulter came in two pounds over the limit. Yaozong, it should be noted, also competed at heavyweight in his last bout.

The action kicks off at 3:15AM EST — check back come fight time for full results and a recap of the night’s action!

Louis Smolka vs. Su Mudaerji

In the opening fight of UFC Beijing, Luis Smolka immediately shot in for a single leg takedown, then switched to a double, but Su Mudaerji stuffed the attempt. Smolka threw a knee, Mudaerji answered with an elbow. Smolka then shot again, only for the Chinese fighter to sprawl, then defend with elbows. Staying persistant, Smolka finally put Mudaerji on his back. From there, he worked to take the back, looking for a rear-naked choke, softening Mudaerji up with punches, and eventually getting his hooks in. However, the newcomer was agile enough to fend off Smolka’s submission game and escape the round.

Round two opened with a quick exchange before Smolka took his opponent down, only to eat a number of elbows from the bottom. Smolka came up in mount, but Mudaerji rolled through, and looked for a triangle. Mudaerji then briefly reversed, but Smolka latched onto an arm during the transition, stretching it out and picking up the victory via arm bar!

In his return!

Welcome back, @LastSamuraiUFC. #UFCBeijing pic.twitter.com/fWBkdJDxKy

— UFC (@ufc) November 24, 2018

Luis Smolka def. Su Mudaerji by submission (arm-bar), Round 2, 2:07

Kevin Holland vs. John Philips

In middleweight action, Kevin Holland opened with a couple of side kicks, but that did not deter John Phillips from pressing forward. When the pair exchanged, they were throwing hard; Holland then landed a body kick but slipped, landing on his back. Phillips allowed him up, only to eat a body shot that hurt him. Holland then began softening him up, connecting repeatedly as Phillips essentially froze with his back on the cage. He’d cover up and recover, finally moving away from the fence. In a clinch, Holland landed several knees, and returned to his kicks, only to land low. Once they were back underway, Phillips caught Holland with a heavy punch, but the Contender Series alum escaped. He’d finish the round with a jumping knee that sent Phillips to his back, but the bell sounded as Holland attempted to follow up.

Holland would find himself rocked in the second, and Phillips swarmed, launching combinations, uppercuts, and backing Holland up. Holland returned fire, covered up, and tried to escape, but Phillips walked him down, continuing to pepper his opponent with shots. Holland connected with a knee, and Phillips began to slow a little. Phillips wobbled Holland again ever so briefly, and once again tried to swarm as Holland covered up, then returned fire. Some furious exchanges in this round, which was much closer than the first.

Early in the third, Phillips found himself on his back when Holland changed levels and briefly took him down. Holland landed a number of shots as Phillips worked his way up. He then took Phillips down again, this time looking to control from the back and get a hook in. Holland would eventually work to mount, but with ninety seconds to go, Phillips reversed. Holland threatened with an arm-bar; Phillips escaped to his feet, but wound up with Holland on his back, locking in the rear-naked choke! Phillips was forced to tap moments later.

Second sub of the night!@Trailblaze2Top stops John Phillips at #UFCBeijing! pic.twitter.com/hmG8F9SWJx

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 24, 2018

Kevin Holland def. John Phillips by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:05

Yan Xiaonan vs. Syuri Kondo

Xiaonan came out firing early, mixing in kicks with her combos. Kondo looked to return fire, but was being backed up. The exchanges continued, with Xiaonan the agressor, and getting the better of them. That was the story throughout the first roud: quick punches, quick kicks from Xiaonan, who landed far more than her opponent.

Xiaonan worked in a spinning back fist in the second, while Kondo attempted to push the pace, a key difference from the first. However, Xiaonan was throwing with more volume. She’d try another spinning attempt, and continue firing combinations, but it was Kondo pulling off a sharper spinning back fist, then connecting with a knee. They’d battle it out to the end of the frame,with Xiaonan being successful with her counters more often than not.

Kondo was going to need to really turn things around in the third, and possibly needed a finish, as despite a better showing in the second she was likely down on the scorecards. The Japanese fighter did push the pace again in the third, with Xiaonan on her heels or using lateral movement throughout much of the round. However, she was again having more success with her striking, landing numerous side kicks, and getting the better of things when they did exchange. Xiaonan would finish the round with a spinning attack.

Yan Xiaonan def. Syuri Kondo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Liu Pingyuan vs. Martin Day

Hawaii’s Martin Day threw down with Liu Pingyuan in bantamweight action at UFC Beijing. Day opened the action with a kick, while Pingyuan pressed forward, trying to set up a takedown with his strikes. He latched on to Day’s right leg, while Day hopped, shifted his weight, and managed to stay standing. Pulling free, he went back to a kick. However unable to fire off too much offense, Day wound up in a standing guillotine, with Pingyuan quickly pulling guard. Day rode it out, however, and Pingyuan was forced to release the submission attempt. Day moved back to his feet, and the Chinese fighter followed. Landing a spinning back kick, Day was looking to shift momentum, and put Pingyuan on his heels. A kick to the body landed with a thud; Pingyuan would then shoot, bu Day stuffed the attempt, and got on top briefly before backing off after an upkick.

Pingyuan got his striking going early in the second, firing off an uppercut and again using his hands to set up a takedown attempt. Day defended with elbows to the head as Pingyuan clutched at his leg. A trip attempt led to Day landing on top; after a bit of a scramble he moved back to his feet. Day would catch a kick late in the round, putting Pingyuan on his back and dropping a few punches on his opponent. The Hawaiian backed off, however, preferring to kick the fight standing. He’d clip Pingyaun with a right hand seconds before the bell.

Round three say Martin Day pressing the action early, hoping to pick up where he left off the previous round. Spinning kicks and fast hands were the key. Pingyaun caught a kick and tried to pull guard, but Day was having none of it. Pingyuan, back on the feet, then rocked Day! He moved in for a guillotine attempt, and nearly pulled it off. Day worked for what looked like a D’Arce, but Pingyuan was able to transition to the back, getting hooks in. He was too high up for a choke and worked instead for an arm-bar. Pingyuan looked to be in full control with a minute left in the round, though Day attempted to land punches while his opponent continued to cling to him. They’d go to the scorecards, however.

Liu Pingyuan def. Martin Day def. split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Zhang Weili vs. Jessica Aguilar

Weili had to contend with Jessica Aguilar coming out and immediately initiating a clinch, looking for a takedown. Weili reversed, ‘JAG’ fired off knees, and Weili came over the top with a crushing elbow that opened up Aguilar. The pair battled until Weili wound up scoring the takedown herself. She’d move to side control, and fire off some elbows, eventually looking for a triangle. When she couldn’t secure that, she moved to the arm-bar, and forced the tap!

Zhang Weili def. Jessica Aguilar by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 3:41

Hu Yaozong vs. Rashad Coulter

Yaozong fired off a spinning back kick to open his catchweight bout against Rashad Coulter , which had originally been scheduled as a light heavyweight scrap. Coulter caught the kick but couldn’t dump the Chinese fighter. Instead they wound up in a clinch along the fence for a time; after breaking, Coulter launched some heavy bunches, while Yaozong fired off a solid kick. The pair would then battle by the fence, with Yaozong bloodied; he’d eat further right hands from Coulter, who would begin tagging Hu Yaozong.

Somehow Yaozong escaped the round, and in the second had a bit of a second wind. He’d managed to get Coulter up against the fence, landing some strikes of his own. In the open, Coulter worked his jab, and once again began backing Yaozong up with right hands and combos. Firing off a switch knee towards the end of the round, however, Yaozong was still in it.

Coulter was showing some damage to the lead leg after eating a number of kicks throughout the fight by the time the third round started. Yaozong was able to press him back, against the fence. Coulter would battle back, but both fighters had slowed. Coulter began attack the legs in answer to Yaozong’s own kicks, but they’d go the distance in what turned out to be a closer fight than it originally looked.

Rashad Coulter def. Hu Yaozong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Wu Yanan vs. Lauren Mueller

Lauren Mueller pressed the action early in her flyweight battle against China’s Wu Yanan. Yanan would answer, and throw out a leg kick or two, but it was Mueller pushing her back, with more power behind her strikes. Yanan would then switch to a takedown, stuffed with ease by Mueller. The pair would then clinch along the fence, reversing several times, with Yanan connecting with a left off the break only to be countered by Mueller’s own left. A quick exchange followed, and Mueller would drop Yanan. However, the Chinese fighter latched onto Mueller’s arm, and instantly turned the tables! She had the arm-bar locked in, and Mueller tapped almost instantly.

Wu Yanan def. Lauren Mueller by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:00

Kenan Song vs. Alex Morono

Song vs. Morono started out with the pair feeling each other out on the feet. Morono would answer Song’s right hand with an overhand left that looked like it could put Song’s lights out. Solid movement by Morono early, and he’d fire off a spinning back fist followed by another overhand right near the midway point. Kenan would have to be careful of those heavy blows, even as he pressed forward.

Round two had Kenan Song coming in a little wild early, but he soon settled down. A spinning back fist connected from Morono, however. Song worked in a few leg kicks, but was bloodied around the mouth. Morono worked at range, but Kenan closed the distance and landed. Morono fired back and escaped. The two nodded heads, smiling, near the midway point, clearly pleased with the show they were putting on. Kenan whiffed a head kick, but a body kick moments later did connect.

Heading into the third, Morono changed up his gameplan, shooting for a takedown a minute in. Song fought it off, however, and backed Morono up with strikes, bloodying him in the process. Morono, however, would tag his opponent with an uppercut, land another blow, and take the momentum back again. Song was backing up. They looked like they’d battle it out to the end, but as time wore down, Morono threw a spinning back fist, and suffered a nasty eye poke that sent him to the canvas in pain. After being examined by the doctor, they restarted with thirty seconds to go; Song attacked, swinging hard, but time ran out.

Alex Morono def. Kenan Song by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

UFC Beijing Preliminary Card Results:

Alex Morono def. Kenan Song by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Wu Yanan def. Lauren Mueller by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 4:00
Rashad Coulter def. Hu Yaozong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Zhang Weili def. Jessica Aguilar by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 3:41
Liu Pingyuan def. Martin Day def. split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yan Xiaonan def. Syuri Kondo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kevin Holland def. John Phillips by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:05
Luis Smolka def. Su Mudaerji by submission (arm-bar), Round 2, 2:07

The post UFC Beijing Preliminary Card Results and Recap appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC Shanghai marked the second week in a row where the UFC lobbed a softball in terms of card quality. Yet where UFC Sydney at least had a handful of compelling fights, UFC Shanghai had but one: the main event.  At least on paper.

On second glance, however, the UFC Fight Night 122 preliminary card, airing on UFC Fight Pass, had something for everyone. A pair of heavyweight fights, including a debuting Chinese behemoth, plus Chase Sherman, the UFC’s GIF King. A second chance at a first impression for Gina Mazany, whose UFC debut against Sara McMann was a rough one.And at the top of the preliminary card, the return of Zabit Magomedsharipov, whose UFC debut in September was impressive to say the least.

Check back come fight time for a full recap and results from UFC Shanghai’s Fight Pass prelims!

Cyril Asker vs. Yaozong Hu

Asker opened the action with a right hand in this heavyweight card starter. That led to a level change and an easy takedown from France’s Asker. He controlled the opening round, landing some shots along the fence, only to find himself in a guillotine attempt. Hu used the submission hold to force his way back up. Back on the feet, Cyril Asker led with the jab, threw an overhand right, changed levels, and scored another easy takedown. Hu, who took the fight on short notice, was looking very green in the takedown defense department. He ate some punches as Asker looked to take the back. Hu would power up to the roar of the crowd, but Asker put him right back down. Big punches to the body followed, and it was all Asker in round one.

In the second, Hu opened with a right hand, and connected with a couple of leg kicks. Soon enough however, Asker had the fight back down. He’d control the back again, but this time, got his hooks in, and was able to sink in a rear-naked choke to finish the fight.

Cyril Asker def. Yaozong Hu by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:33

WuLiji Buren vs. Rolando Dy

Rolando Dy said Ni Hao early in the first round, landing a leg kick. Buren then found himself dropped after launching a leg kick and leaving himself open! He would survive, but the punching power of Dy was on full display. Buren, to his credit, not only survived, but followed the sequence with a pair of takedowns. He was able to control the back, looking to either get a second hook in, or apply a body triangle. Dy escaped in a scramble and looked to drag Buren into a standup war. Another big leg kick landed from Dy, sounding nasty. Dy would look for a takedown of his own near the end of the round, but was stuffed.

In the second, Buren took things down early, but couldn’t make much happen. Back up, Dy had his combinations going, finishing off with a leg kick. Buren returned fire, connecting with an overhand right. A single leg later in the round put Dy on his back, but he’d land a kick to the chest from that position. Neither fighter was able to find a finish in round two, and they’d go to a third.

The third round opened with Buren changing levels early, and nearly eating a knee for his troubles. Instead, he completed the takedown. Unable to make much happen, a scramble led to Dy getting back up. An overhand right led to another takedown attempt for Buren, but that one wasn’t completed. A low blow paused the action; afterwards, Buren looked for another single leg, which Dy defended with a guillotine. Buren’s shots were just so quick, but Dy got going near rounds end, launching a number of sharp elbows. Buren was simply hanging on at that point, and it went to the scorecards.

Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Yanan Wu vs. Gina Mazany

Gina Mazany went right to work in her bantamweight affair with Wu Yanan. An early left from Mazany opened the action; the pair then clinched, exchanging knees. That clinch was held for some time, and We proved she was no pushover, even opening Mazany up. Soon enough, Mazany was down, and Yanan was working in some ground and pound. Moments later, however, it was Mazany who was on top, throwing everything but the kitchen sink. The Chinese fighter threatened with an arm-bar, but Mazany broke free. Wu would look for a single-leg, but the round would come to a close.

In the second, Wu ate a shin to the face early. She powered on, however, showing considerable toughness. Mazany was tenacious, landing a double leg, staying on her opponent. Even as Wu worked her way back up, Mazany kept her hands clinched around her waist and dragged her back down. Throughout the second frame, Mazany stayed on her opponent. Wu was warned several times not to hold the fence; Marc Goddard would stop the action to have her corner translate, saying the next time would result in a point deduction.

Towards the end of the second, it appeared Wu Yanan suffered a shoulder injury, possibly a dislocation. Heading back to her corner in obvious pain, she immediately told her corner something was wrong, but she’d tough it out.

In the third round, with Wu’s shoulder preventing her from using her right hand much, it was Mazany who was able to press forward. She’d open with a superman punch, and soon have the fight on the ground. There she was able to do considerable damage, resulting in Wu’s right eye swelling at least partially shut. Mazany would control on the ground, finishing with some big elbows and hammer fists.

Gina Mazany def. Yanan Wu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Chase Sherman vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov

In a heavyweight affair that didn’t last long, UFC GIF King Chase Sherman took on Shamil Abdurakhimov. Abdurakhimov had taken considerable criticism for not engaging in his last fight against Derrick Lewis. That wasn’t an issue here. He opened the action, landing first; Sherman countered. Then came a big overhand right by Abdurakhimov, followed up by a left hook. Sherman went down, and that was all she wrote!

Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman by knockout, Round 1, 1:24

Yadong Song vs. Bharat Khandare

A couple of creative strikers in Song and Khandare (spelled Kandare in the UFC broadcast) took the cage next. Yadong showed some flair early with a spinning kick, while Khandare worked to create some distance with his jab and right hands. He’d add a spinning back fist, but it did not land clean. A right hand by Yadong connected, foreshadowing what was to come. An inside kick from the Inidian fighter connected, but he was soon finding himself backed up against the fence consistently. Yadong would hack away at Khandare’s lead leg, then launch another spinning kick that missed. Khandare would attempt another spinning back fist, missing the mark once more.

Then it was Song Yadong on the attack, landing a right hand that dropped Bharat Khandare! Khandare never fully recovered and instead found himself in a front choke, tapping before long. What a debut from nineteen year old Song!

Yadong Song def. Bharat Khandare by submission (front choke), Round 1, 4:16

Kailin Curran vs. Yan Xiaonan

A low kick by Curran was answered by a combo, then a side kick to the face of Curran landed. Xiaonan next wobbled the American with a right! What a war out of the gate this was. Things slowed briefly, as the pair clinched; Xianon then launched another high side kick. With Xiaonan way ahead on the feet, Curran needed to make the fight ugly. However, off the break the Chinese strawweight landed a crisp short elbow.

Between rounds, Curran was complaining of a dislocation, but it wasn’t clear exactly where she was hurt. She’d take the fight to the ground early, a smart approach given she’d been lit up every time the pair exchanged on the feet. Xiaonan wasn’t deterred, however, and escaped. Back on the feet, she’d look to create space and avoid the clinch. The side kicks continued to flow, and she then connected with a huge right hand that stunned Curran. The American survived, showing considerable toughness after eating so many clean strikes. Xionan would then get her jab going, and Curran went back to the clinch to ride out the round.

Round three saw Curran needing a finish, something her corner informed her between rounds. A leg kick took Curran’s feet right out from under her in the opening seconds, however. Curran then got her jab going, but that approach played into Xionan’s strengths. However, Curran soon landed a left that caught Yan Xionan. It wasn’t enough to drop her, but it set up a key takedown. From there, Curran looked to create enough space to work in. She’d pepper Xionan’s sides with short punches, and add hammer fists to the abdomen. Xionan, however, escaped, and was able to get back to her feet. That was key, as it was Curran’s best chance to finish. On the feet, they went to war once more, with Xionan bloodied, and both fighters swinging to the bell. Great fight, with Yan Xionan picking up the unanimous decision win.

Yan Xionan def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Kenan Song vs. Bobby Nash

Song vs. Nash was over in a heartbeat, and was easily the most explosive performance of the night. The fight was almost immediately halted due to a low blow on Nash. Nash indicated he was good to go, and as the fight resumed, Song connected with a perfectly timed right hand. That dropped Nash, who rolled back in a somersault. Song pounced, landing a number of hammer fists to Nash’s head as he worked for a single leg. Ref Herb Dean came in to wave it off, as Nash continued to press for the takedown, completely unaware the fight was over. Just fifteen seconds, and Song had the finish!

Kenan Song def. Bobby Nash by TKO, Round 1, 0:15

Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Sheymon Moraes

In the featured fight of UFC Fight Night 122’s preliminary card, Zabit Magomedsharipov proved the hype is real, capturing a late finish over Brazil’s Sheymon Moraes.

Early on, Magomedsharipov was light on his feet. Moraes scored some heavy leg kicks early, but Zabit’s flashy kicks were a constant threat as well. The Russian scored with a right hand, while Moraes returned fire. Then, Zabit proved why he’s a danger everywhere. Latching on to Moraes, he used a suplex to take him down, and completely controlled the action on the ground. When Moraes finally managed to regain his feet, he was dragged down by Magomedsharipov again, who was on him like a backpack.

In the second, it was more of the same. Where ever the fight went, Zabit had the edge. An early throw led to a scramble, with Moraes getting on top, but a quick reversal saw Zabit back in the driver’s seat. Moraes threatened with an arm-bar that Zabit deftly escaped. The Russian was crafty, managing to mount again and continue his dominance throughout the second. Dropping elbows from mount, using knee-on-belly to keep Moraes in place, he was well ahead on the scorecards. If there was any criticism to be made, he hadn’t yet come close to finishing his Brazilian foe.

That changed in round three. Early on, a leg kick from Zabit took Moraes’ feet out from under him. Once again, Zabit was in full control. This time, he let his opponent back up, showing no fear whatsoever. A spinning back fist by Zabit then stunned Moraes, and Zabit Magomedsharipov used that to secure another takedown. Moraes managed to power back up, but taking the back, Zabit kicked Moraes’ leg from under him to drop the Brazilian, then transitioned straight to mount. From there, Zabit’s coach Mark Henry called for a finish. Zabit obliged, immediately sinking in an anaconda choke. It wasn’t long until Moraes was forced to tap. Zabit Magomedsharipov with the finish on demand, following a dominant performance!

After the bout, Zabit called for a bout with the always dangerous Yair Rodriguez, which would be a killer fight.

Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Sheymon Moraes by submission (anaconda choke), Round 3, 4:30

UFC Shanghai: Gastelum vs. Bisping Preliminary Card Results:

Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Sheymon Moraes by submission (anaconda choke), Round 3, 4:30
Kenan Song def. Bobby Nash by TKO, Round 1, 0:15
Yan Xionan def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Yadong Song def. Bharat Kandare by submission (front choke), Round 1, 4:16
Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman by knockout, Round 1, 1:24
Gina Mazany def. Yanan Wu by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Cyril Asker def. Yaozong Hu by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:33

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Another Chinese fighter has been added to the UFC’s debut in mainland China. According to a report by MMA Junkie, undefeated Chinese heavyweight Hu Yaozong (3-0) will step in on short notice at this weekend’s UFC Shanghai event. He’ll be facing Cyril Asker (8-3), whose original opponent James Mulheron was pulled from the card after being flagged for a potential anti-doping violation by USADA.

Nicknamed ‘Bad Boy,’ Hu made his debut in back-to-back fights in October 2016, picking up wins on two consecutive days under the Chinese MMA Super League. All three of his career wins have come via stoppage.

Cyril Asker, who Hu will face in his UFC debut, has gone 1-2 in the promotion to date. The 31-year old heavyweight from France is a former EFC heavyweight champion who defeated former UFC fighter Ruan Potts for that title in 2105. He then signed with the UFC, losing to Jared Cannonier in his debut. Asker picked up a TKO win over Dmitry Smoliakov back in January of this year before being finished by Walt Harris at UFC Fight Night 111 in July.

UFC Shanghai, numerically UFC Fight Night 122, takes place at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China on November 25. Kelvin Gastelum takes on former middleweight champion Michael Bisping in the main event.

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