It might have been a late night time for UFC followers in the US, however for us long-suffering followers of MMA right here in Europe, Saturday morning’s UFC Macau occasion was sheer bliss.
With the nation at present having fun with stunning sunny climate (sure, actually!), Saturday morning was spent with the home windows thrown open, some espresso and toast, and a packed card of entertaining fights.
There was a number of massive moments on the cardboard, however listed below are my three magic moments from Macau:
Track Yadong saves the day for China
When Track Yadong made his stroll to the Octagon for his essential occasion bout with Deiveson Figueiredo, there was an actual concern among the many followers inside Galaxy Enviornment that they may go residence with out seeing a single Chinese language victory.
Six Chinese language fighters had already competed contained in the Octagon at Galaxy Enviornment, and all six ended up on the dropping finish of their respective matchups, so when Track stepped into the cage, there was nationwide delight on the road. You’ll be able to’t host a UFC occasion and never have any of your fighters win a single battle, absolutely?
Fortunately, that thought didn’t final too lengthy, as Track delivered an amazing efficiency to complete Figueiredo through guillotine choke submission late within the second spherical.
Track by submission was most likely the longest-odds choice within the “Methodology of Victory” market forward of the night time, given Figueiredo’s world-class floor expertise. However as quickly because the Brazilian shot for a takedown, Track snatched up his neck and compelled the faucet.
The guillotine is Staff Alpha Male’s signature transfer, and Track has it down pat. And with a win like that, he may nicely discover himself both in a title battle, or a title eliminator, subsequent time we see him.
We lastly obtained to see the true Kai Asakura
Put merely, Kai Asakura is a celebrity in Japan. He was arguably RIZIN FF’s largest star when he fought there and have become their bantamweight champion. And his aggressive, crowd-pleasing combating fashion meant that the anticipation was by the roof when Asakura joined the UFC.
Sadly, he opted to compete at flyweight – presumably lured by an instantaneous title shot on his debut – and issues didn’t actually work out. He was dominated, then submitted, by then-flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja, then confused, then submitted, by Tim Elliott.
One thing wanted to alter, and fortunately Asakura made the proper name. He moved again to bantamweight and returned to motion in Macau with a crushing first-round knockout of Cameron Smotherman. He regarded way more just like the Asakura we knew from RIZIN, and primarily based on his emotional response after his win, he actually wanted that victory.
Three defeats in a row within the UFC would have been nothing in need of a catastrophe, and doubtlessly the tip of his likelihood on the world stage. However now, combating at his optimum weight, Asakura has the possibility to construct. And in a 135-pound division that is stuffed with killers, Asakura’s subsequent battle is greater than prone to be an absolute banger.
Rodrigo Vera’s healthful second
Apart from Track’s hometown victory, the largest feelgood second of the UFC Macau card got here early on the prelims, as Peru’s Rodrigo Vera made his UFC debut in opposition to Chinese language athlete Zhu Kangjie.
Vera had just lately been rejected for the present season of The Final Fighter, when coaches Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier chosen different fighters forward of him for his or her respective groups. However, relatively than flying residence, Vera stayed in Las Vegas and made full use of the UFC Efficiency Institute to proceed his coaching and, crucially, keep prepared for any alternative which may crop up.
And when Ramon Taveras was pressured off the Macau card, Vera obtained the decision, and produced an excellent efficiency to TKO Zhu and declare a doubtlessly life-changing victory.
Whereas those that obtained into The Final Fighter home forward of him are battling it out for a spot on the roster, Vera is already established, with one battle, one win, and one $25,000 end bonus to his title.
They are saying the perfect capability is availability, and that proved to be 100% true for Vera, who saved himself within the body, and took his likelihood when it got here.
