The Ultimate Fighting Championship recently held an event in Macau, China, featuring a lineup of talented Chinese fighters, with their prominent star, Song Yadong, headlining the card. This article ranks the most impressive winners from the main card fights.
1. Song Yadong
Topping both the fight card and our rankings, Song Yadong shouldered the hopes of the nation, aiming for the sole Chinese victory of the night and seeking to advance his claim for a title shot in the bantamweight division. Under immense pressure, Song delivered a stellar performance, submitting former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round. This decisive win places him firmly in contention for a championship opportunity and provided the Macau crowd with an unforgettable, electrifying moment.
2. Rodrigo Vera
Initially facing doubts after not making it onto The Ultimate Fighter, Rodrigo Vera seized his opportunity. He stepped in on short notice to face Zhu Kangjie and secured a knockout victory in under two minutes, making a significant impact in his UFC debut. The Peruvian bantamweight’s impressive performance suggests an exciting future in the competitive bantamweight division.
3. Kai Asakura
Kai Asakura has returned to the bantamweight division and recaptured his formidable form. After two losses in the flyweight division, the Japanese star found success by dropping a weight class and facing a less experienced opponent. He swiftly dominated Cameron Smotherman, securing his first UFC win with a knockout in just 1 minute and 50 seconds. Asakura, now competing effectively at bantamweight, is poised to be an exciting fighter to watch.
4. Alonzo Menifield
Alonzo Menifield, known for his power, ended his knockout drought with a thrilling first-round TKO against Zhang Mingyang. Despite Zhang’s forward-marching, aggressive style, Menifield opted to engage in a striking battle rather than utilize his grappling. He absorbed some heavy blows but persevered, overwhelming Zhang to secure the finish. This victory, which also earned him a Fight of the Night bonus, positions Menifield to climb the light heavyweight rankings.
5. Angela Hill
In a highly anticipated matchup, veteran Angela Hill welcomed former ONE Championship strawweight champion Xiong Jingnan to the UFC. Hill delivered an outstanding performance, outstriking and outmaneuvering the typically relentless Xiong. She frustrated her opponent with unconventional strikes and effectively attacked the body, showcasing a well-mixed striking game. This victory, her 19th career win, was a testament to Hill’s skill and tactical execution.
UFC Macau: Top Performers and Key Victories
The Octagon journeyed to the Far East as Macau, China, hosted a UFC Fight Night event highlighted by a strong contingent of Chinese talent, with their top male fighter, Song Yadong, leading the charge. Here, we present our power rankings for the main card victors at UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Figueiredo.
1. Song Yadong
The headliner of the event secures the top spot in our Power Rankings. Song Yadong bore the weight of national expectation, with fans eager for a Chinese triumph on home soil. He also aimed to make a significant statement to propel himself into title contention at 135 pounds. Under immense pressure, Song delivered an exceptional performance, submitting former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round. This victory places him squarely in the championship picture and provided the Macau crowd with an unforgettable, roof-raising moment of triumph.
2. Rodrigo Vera
Rodrigo Vera’s UFC aspirations appeared to be over after failing to qualify for The Ultimate Fighter. However, he remained in Las Vegas, stayed ready, and ultimately seized his chance. Vera stepped in on short notice to face Zhu Kangjie and needed less than two minutes to knock out the Chinese prospect, making an immediate impact as a Peruvian bantamweight. His progression in the exciting bantamweight division promises to be compelling.
3. Kai Asakura
Kai Asakura has returned to the bantamweight division and rediscovered his dominant form. The Japanese superstar began his UFC tenure with two flyweight fights, both resulting in defeats. However, on Saturday, he faced a less challenging opponent and moved up a weight class, achieving the crucial result he needed. While Cameron Smotherman may not possess the same accolades as former champions or title challengers, Asakura showcased his superiority with a dominant performance, demolishing Smotherman in just one minute and fifty seconds for his first UFC win. Kai Asakura at flyweight appeared diminished, but at bantamweight, he is a formidable force, set to be an exciting prospect in the 135-pound division.
4. Alonzo Menifield
Alonzo Menifield has long been recognized for his powerful striking in the light heavyweight division, but his last knockout victory was in October 2022. That statistic is now obsolete following Menifield’s thrilling first-round TKO of Chinese knockout artist Zhang Mingyang. Given Zhang’s predictable strategy of advancing and throwing heavy punches, some anticipated Menifield might resort to wrestling to control the fight. However, “Atomic” was not interested in prolonging the bout. Instead, Menifield engaged in a fierce striking exchange with “The Mountain Tiger.” Despite absorbing significant damage, Menifield fought through the adversity to overwhelm Zhang and secure the first-round finish. The bout earned both fighters $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses. With a significant victory, a substantial payday, and his ranking intact, Menifield can now focus on climbing the light heavyweight ladder. If he continues to trust his power, he will be a difficult opponent to overcome.
5. Angela Hill
A bout that held potential for a Fight of the Night performance delivered an exciting contest as UFC veteran Angela Hill welcomed former ONE Championship strawweight champion Xiong Jingnan to the UFC. Xiong performed creditably, but Hill was outstanding. “Overkill” showcased her best form in years, outstriking and outworking the usually relentless Xiong. She frustrated her opponent with off-rhythm strikes and effectively targeted the body, demonstrating superb striking variety. It was an excellent all-around performance that may not receive the widespread recognition it deserves, as not everyone fully appreciates Xiong’s capabilities. However, Hill earned every bit of credit for this victory. While it was a valuable learning experience for Xiong, who is expected to rebound, Saturday belonged to Hill, marking the 19th win of her career.
