The UFC makes its long-awaited return to China as there is plenty of action to look forward to at the Galaxy Arena. The Main Event will see the #3 Bantamweight contender, Petr Yan, take on the #5 contender, Deiveson Figueiredo. Here is everything you need to know about UFC Macau.
Yan finally redeemed himself after being on a three-fight losing streak in his last bout, securing an unanimous decision win over Song Yadong at UFC 299.
Before his disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259, No Mercy was unbeaten in the UFC and defeated big names in the organisation; like Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber and John Dodson.
The Russian prefers to stop his opponents by knockout as out of the 17 wins he has earned in his MMA career, seven have ended by KO/TKO.
The former UFC Bantamweight Champion is aiming to keep himself in the top three of the 135-pound division as one more win could possibly put him in title contention for a chance to become a two-time champion.
Figueiredo has fought twice this year, submitting Cody Garbrandt in the first round at UFC 300 and defeating Marlon Vera by unanimous decision at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Deus da Guerra only made his Bantamweight debut last December when he defeated Rob Font at UFC Austin as since then, he has beaten a former champion and title challenger of the division.
The Brazilian is just as dangerous on the ground as he is on the feet, earning nine KO/TKO victories and nine submission out of 24 career wins.
The former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion has experienced fighting at the top of a division and could be the next challenger for the Bantamweight title, if he can get past another former champion.
Other Fights you should look out for
Yan Xiaonan vs Tabatha Ricci - Xiaonan last fought at UFC 300 where she lost the opportunity to become the Queen of the Strawweights, losing to the champion, Zhang Weili, by unanimous decision. The Chinese mixed martial artist has earned the majority of her wins by knockout, claiming eight KO/TKO wins. Xiaonan has the chance to bounce back in her home country, while maintaining her spot near the top of the division's rankings.
Ricci has fought twice this year with a split decision win over Tecia Pennington at UFC St Louis, and an unanimous decision win over Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 96. Baby Shark does not have a lot of stoppage wins in her career, but can surprise people everyone now and again as she does hold 3 submissions out of 11 victories. The #10 Strawweight contender has a marvellous opportunity of boosting up the rankings as well as putting herself in title contention.
Song Kenan vs Muslim Salikhov - Kenan returned to the win column in his last bout after defeating Ricky Glenn by unanimous decision at UFC 305. The Assassin does not usually like to take a fight to the judges scorecards with 18 of his 22 MMA wins ending with a stoppage. The Tangshan-born fighter tries to gain motivation in his home country to start a winning streak and get his first finish since February 2020.
Salikhov did just enough to win his last fight when he defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio by split decision at UFC Denver. The King of Kung Fu likes to knock his opponents out with 13 of his 20 triumphs ending by KO/TKO. The Russian Welterweight was on a good run in the organisation until his loss to Chinese fighter, Li Jingliang, as he tries to redeem himself by defeating someone else in enemy territory.
Volkan Oezdemir vs Carlos Ulberg - Oezdemir put himself on a two-fight winning streak when he knocked out Johnny Walker in the first round at UFC Saudi Arabia. No Time rarely goes to a decision when he is victorious, claiming 13 KO/TKO victories and two submissions. The #8 Light Heavyweight contender has looked very impressive in his last couple of fights as he tries to drag that momentum to become victorious in China, while maintaining his ranking.
Ulberg is on a six-fight winning streak after knocking out Alonzo Menifield in just 12 seconds of the first round at UFC St Louis. The Black Jag has stopped most of his opponents by knockout, while earning a couple of submission wins out of his 11 career victories. The #10 Light Heavyweight contender has a chance to move up in the 205-pound division, if he can stop the Swiss fighter.
Who will have their hand raised between Yan and Figueiredo? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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