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UFC returns to Macao with UFC Fight Night, with some of the best welterweight and featherweight bouts the fans could ask for! Also, the event will see the first ever undisputed winner of The Ultimate Fighter – China edition in the welterweight division. The event will be headlined by two of the best welterweight fighters in the world at the moment, with “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim taking on “The Hitman” John Hathaway. Two fights were removed from the card, as the featherweight final between Yang Jianping and Ning Guangyou has been postponed due to an injury. Also, Zak Cummings failed to cut weight, and hence his welterweight bout with “The Soldier of God” Alberto Mina has been cancelled. So now, the card looks as follows:
Main Card (on UFC Fight Pass)
“Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (171) vs. “The Hitman” John Hathaway (171)
Welterweight Final: Wang Sai (170) vs. Lipeng Zhang (170)
Matt Mitrione (260) vs. Shawn Jordan (261)
Hatsu Hioki (146) vs. Ivan Menjivar (146)
Preliminary Card (on UFC Fight Pass)
Kazuki Tokudome (155) vs. Yui Chul Nam (154)
Nam Phan (136) vs. Vaughan Lee (136)
Albert Cheng (170) vs. Anying Wang (171)
Jumabieke Tuerxun (145) vs. Mark Eddiva (145)
Preliminary card:
Fight 1:
Jumabieke Tuerxun vs. Mark Eddiva
Jumabieke starting in white squared off against Eddiva in red, with the first two rounds being evenly matched. Tuerxun with some beautiful take downs, showing his Sanda skills as Eddiva hung on. Eddiva turned things around by holding Tuerxun down in the third round, as Tuerxun tried to fight out of the predicament and did so with another take down, but Eddiva stopped him by mounting him. Tuerxun caught him in the triangle choke, but Eddiva turned the tables in the dying seconds of the third round and the decision went to the judges. Mark Eddiva won by unanimous decision.
Winner by unanimous decision: Mark Eddiva.
Rating: ** ½
Analysis: The fight to open the night wasn’t the greatest, but at least set the mood for the rest of the evening. Eddiva won by unanimous decision, which I honestly didn’t see coming. Eddiva is a great prospect in the featherweight division, but I wouldn’t count out Tuerxun just yet.
Fight 2:
Albert Cheng vs. Wang Anying
The first welterweight bout on the card pits the fighter from Canada against the fighter from China, and this bout should be interesting. Wang Anying having a Sanda background will be going into the fight as the odds on favorite in my view. And here we go!
Round 1:
Cheng started off aggressively, but the pace quickly fizzled out. Cheng came back with a big right, and Wang countered with a leg kick. Action quickly escalated with both of them throwing big jabs, and Wang went for some big round kicks that didn’t connect. Wang connected with a big right, but Cheng connected with a right of his own. Cheng connected with another right as Wang got him with a leg kick. Both men went back and forth with some more rights as Wang missed with another leg kick. The action stalled as the live crowd booed both the fighters. Wang went on the offense and stunned Cheng with some big kicks but Cheng stopped his run as the first round neared its end. Wang clearly won the first round.
With the latest developments, Cheng was deemed unable to compete and Wang won the fight.
Winner by TKO: Wang Anying
Rating: * ¾
Analysis: That was a one – sided affair the whole fight, and it never really got going. It was a mismatch on the night more than anything.
Fight 3:
Nam Phan vs. Vaughan Lee
Round 1:
Lee started with a big right and connected with a jab, but Phan caught him with a kick. Lee connected with another right, and dominated in the early going. Beautiful jabs by Lee stunned Phan who took some brutal rights. Phan with a right and Lee with a leg kick. Lee dominated the match till now and both men fought on their feet. Lee with two more beautiful rights and some body shots to Phan. Lee looked in total control and went for some upper body shots and jabs. Lee with a nasty elbow and body shot that the crowd appreciated. Lee completely was in control of the pace of the bout as Phan didn’t have any answers for Lee’s jabs and hooks. Lee with a spinning back heel that stunned Phan as we neared the first round. Lee won the first round hands down as Phan barely made out of it.
Round 2:
Lee once again connected with some nasty rights and a leg kick to start the second round, and connected with another round house kick! Phan barely connected with his rights and lefts as Lee stunned Phan once again. Phan went for a takedown but Lee fought out of it. Lee once again connected with some leg kicks as Phan connected with some body kicks of his own. Both men slowed their pace down as Lee connected with some more body shots. Phan put up a much improved performance and caught Lee with some right jabs. Phan went on the offense with some kicks as Lee caught him with another leg kick and a left hook! We’re almost done with round two as Lee connected with another body shot.
Round 3:
We’re into the final round of the Bantamweight bout as Phan started off with some rights as Lee retaliated with a kick. Phan tried to take Lee down but Lee connected with some rights to fend him off. Lee worked on Phan with some beautiful jabs and hooks as Phan looked stunned in the early going. Lee connected with another beautiful right and looked comfortable against Phan. Lee came off with a flying leg kick that got the crowd going for the moment, but nothing came out of it. Lee with another big kick to the mid section and another left hook that shook Phan. The crowd got impatient as both the fighters took their foot off the pedal, as Phan tried to take Lee down, but Lee caught him with a big kick and some combinations. Lee stunned Phan with some more left jabs and a body shot as we neared the end of the third round.Phan needed a TKO or a submission in the dying seconds of the bout, but Lee held him against the Octagon.
Winner by unanimous decision: Vaughan Lee
Rating: ** ¾
Looked like yet another mismatch on the card as Lee completely dominated the bout. Phan needed to take Lee to the ground to have any chance in the bout, but Lee successfully fended off Phan’s challenge whenever Phan tried to go for a takedown. The crowd wanted them to end things, but each fought with caution and the decision went to the judges after the third round.
Fight 4:
Kazuki Tokudome vs. Yui Chul Nam
Round 1:
The lightweight bout started with Nam in the blue corner and Kazuki in the red. Nam charged Kazuki and caught him with some rights and completely stunned Nam, almost taking him down. Nam caught Kazuki with a huge right and took him against the Octagon, landing some hard jabs to the Japanese fighter! Nam then took Kazuki down with another huge right and mounted him with punches! He then caught him against the Octagon and tried to finish him off with balled fists. Kazuki tried to go for an armbar but Nam connected with some huge rights! The “bulldozer” almost finished Kazuki off in the opening 3 minutes of the bout, but Kazuki held on. Both men got up to their feet as Kazuki tried to go for a takedown and connected with some rights of his own. Nam then took him down once again with some back fists and connected with some more hard jabs. Nam connected with a knee and another right as Kazuki staggered around. Nam connected with another right that took Kazuki down to end the first round.
Round 2:
The doctor and referee checked on Kazuki and continued with the bout. Kazuki connected with a right to open the second round and managed to take Nam down! Kazuki held Nam down in the corner and connected with some rights and then got on top of Nam, completely disrupting his momentum. Kazuki delivered some more rights to Nam as both the fighters tried to make their way to their feet. The fight went on the ground as the fans got restless. Kazuki landed a right that knocked the wind out of Nam as we kept attacking Nam in the corner. Nam connected with a back elbow and tried to turn Kazuki over, but Kazuki maintained firm control over Nam. Kazuki connected with some more balled fists and huge back elbows to maintain control over Nam. The ref was in a perfect position as Kazuki attacked with some more back elbows as round 2 came to an end.
Round 3:
The crowd appreciated the fighters going into the final round as we’re even after round 2. Kazuki connected with a huge round kick and Nam landed a beautiful right jab that almost took Kazuki down! Kazuki ended up taking Nam down to the mat with a takedown and landed some good rights. Kazuki held Nam down and connected with some back elbows and mounted Nam. Nam tried to fight out of the predicament and finally made it to his feet! Nam took over the control and mounted Kazuki as we neared the final 2 minutes of the bout. Nam landed some body shots and a couple of javs and acaught Kazuki with a left hook on his feet! Nam then took Kazuki down and looked as if he was waiting for the round to be over. Both men got to their feet as Nam landed a couple of knees and connected with some javbs! Kazuki almost took Nam down and then ended the fight with a takedown as round number three came to an end.
Winner by split decision: Yui Chul Nam
Rating: *** ½
Analysis: That was exactly what was needed before the main card started. Nam won the first round 29 – 27, Kazuki won the second round 28 – 27 and Nam won the third round to win the fight by split decision. The crowd showed their appreciated to the fighters, as both men showed great respect to each other by hugging in the middle of the Octagon. A great way to end the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night – Macao!
Main card:
Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar
We open the main card with a featherweight bout between Hatsu Hioki from Japan and Ivan Menjivar, from Montreal, Canada. This will surely be an interesting fight to open the main card.
Round 1:
Both men started cautiously by sizing each other up. Ivan caught Hatsu and took him down with a couple of back elbows! Hatsu got to his feet and went for the sleeper against the cage, cutting off the Oxygen. Ivan tried to fight out and did so, as both men went up against the cage. Ivan landed a right, and followed it up with a huge round kick. Ivan connected with a body shot and a back elbow as Hatsu took him against the cage. Hatsu tried to take Ivan down and managed to do it as we entered into the last two minutes of the first round! Ivan connected with some body shots as Hatsu connected with some back elbows! Both men grappled on the floor as Ivan looked to be in some trouble fighting Hatsu off. Ivan managed to get out and held Hatsu down, but Hatsu escaped as we ended the first round.
Round 2:
Second round began with both men going for leg kicks and Ivan connected with a beautiful jab and followed it up with another one! Ivan landed another right but Hatsu fought back. Hatsu connected with some body shots and Ivan didn’t look too comfortable. Hatsu with another kick to the torso of Ivan and connected with a good hook! The fans grew impatient as both the fighters didn’t look too interested to take any initiative. Ivan took Hatsu against the cage and landed a good knee to the good, and Hatsu took Ivan down with a great looking takedown! Hatsu applied yet another sleeper as Ivan tried to fight out of it. Hatsu applied the armbar but Ivan fought out of it with some great blows! Hatsu tried to go for another armbar but Ivan once again drilled him with a right. Hatsu managed to take Ivan down yet again and mounted him as we came down to the final minute of the second round. Ivan with some more body shots as Hatsu tried to go for the Kimura! Ivan fought out of it and drilled Hatsu with the knee as the second round came to an end!
Round 3:
Hatsu connected with a left jab as the third round began, and both the fighters looked to take control of the bout. Ivan landed a beautiful hook, but Hatsu stayed on his feet. The fans grew impatient as Ivan connected with yet another leg kick and blocked a leg kick attempt from Hatsu and threw some big rights to take him off his game! Hatsu tried to connect with some rights but that didn’t happen. Ivan connected with some more jabs as Hatsu looked disoriented. Ivan connected with another huge round kick, but the tough Japanese stayed on his feet! Ivan once again connected with a big right as we now neared the last minute of the fight. Hooks by Ivan landed on their mark as Hatsu tried to fend him off. Hatsu took Ivan down once again and worked over him in the corner as we reached the final 10 minutes. Ivan tried to go for the leg lock but the round ended, resulting in the end of the fight.
Winner by decision: Hatsu Hioki
Rating: ***
Analysis: That is the fifth fight that went into decision, which obviously didn’t please the live crowd. The result was surprising, as Ivan clearly dominated for the most of the match. Hatsu’s clinical takedowns might have influenced the judges to give the decision in his favor, but that was a good performance by the two fighters. These two put on yet another good performance, although they were unable to follow up the previous bout between Nam and Kazuki.
Fight 2:
Matt Mitrione vs. Shawn Jordan
The only heavyweight fight on the card, and this can prove to be interesting. Shawn made his way out to the classic “Hurt”, followed by Matt Mitrione.
Round 1:
Matt started aggressively, but Shawn caught him with a right. Matt caught him with two beautiful hooks and a leg kick! Both men caught a jab a piece as Shawn connected with a leg kick. Shawn with another good right as he took Matt against the Octagon. Matt connected with a beautiful left jab, followed by a leg kick. Shawn followed it up with some good combination of jabs, and Matt delivered one of his own. Matt connected with a good upper jab as the crowd got restless. Shawn with another leg kick as Matt charged him with a big hook. Matt charged Shawn with a big right, but Shawn connected with a hook of his own. We came down to the last minute as Matt connected with a leg kick as Shawn tried to take him down! Matt with some good body shots as he held Shawn against the cage. Matt connected with some big rights as we’re down to the last 10 seconds. Matt went right at it with some great combination of rights and lefts as the referee stopped the bout in the final second!
Winner by KO: Matt Mitrione
Rating: ** ½
Analysis: That was a good bout between the two heavyweights, and the stoppage right at the final second was amazing! Matt connected with some seriously hard rights against the Octagon and the referee stopped the bout right at the final second! That was the first referee stoppage of the night, and I hope the other fights follow suit!
Post – match, Matt talked to the fans about the fight and what it meant, and he also plugged in about his friend who lost his family a couple of weeks ago. Go to Twitter and search for Matt Mitrione to see how you can help with the funds.
Fight 3:
Wang Sai vs. Lipeng Zhang
We’re down to the welterweight bout between two of the finalists of TUF – China! So who will win the contract with UFC? Let’s find out! Lipeng came out to the “Eye of the tiger” as the crowd roared.
Round 1:
Wang went for somebody kicks in the early goings but Lipeng went for a huge hook. Wang and Lipeng exchanged blocked kicks as Lipeng connected with a leg kick. Wang connected with a leg kick of his own and followed it up with another. Lipeng caught him with a big left as Wang connected with two huge hooks! Wang connected with some body and leg kicks and tried to push Wang into the corner. Lipeng with a great take down and tried to mount Wang with a sleeper! He delivered some heavy fists to the back of Wang’s head and held onto the rear choke. Lipeng with the rear choke but Wang fought out of it! Lipeng with the full body guard on Wang but Wang still connected with some back elbows! Wang with some body shots as Lipeng tried to hold him down. Lipeng went for a triangle, but Wang caught him with the rear choke! We’re down to the last 10 seconds and both the fighters are evenly matched, and that’s the end of round one!
Round 2:
And here we go with round number 2! Wang with a leg kick and the second one was checked. Lipeng went for a takedown but Wang turned him over! Wang landed a nasty right against the Octagon as he held him with a bodylock. Both men fought against the cage as Wang delivered yet another right! Wang took Lipeng down with some back elbows as the ref called for time out for Wang kicking below the waist. The fight started again and Lipeng with another takedown! Both men looked exhausted as Lipeng took Wang Sai down once again! Yet another takedown by Lipeng, showing off his grappling skills against Wang Sai. Wang Sai mounted on Lipeng with some beautiful jabs and hooks as Lipeng tried to go for a leglock! Wang Sai turned it around as both the men struggled in the center of the Octagon. We’re down to the last 10 seconds as Lipeng and Wang Sai struggled to gain the advantage.
Round 3:
Winner by split decision and TUF – China winner: Zhang Lipeng
Rating: ** ½
The crowd wasn’t pleased with the announcement of the winner, but that was a decent bout between the two finalists. The match could’ve gone either way, and they didn’t go all out. The match wasn’t exciting, but we now finally have a winner for TUF – China.
Main event:
“Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim vs. “The Hitman” John Hathaway
And now, for the welterweight bout we’ve all been waiting for! The Brit was a gentleman when I spoke to him a couple of days ago, and Kim didn’t look too worried leading to the bout.
Round 1:
And here we go! John started with a leg kick but connected with a right. John went for a right and Kim returned the favor, taking him against the cage and connecting with another big hook! John took Kim down against the cage as both men grappled to get the upper hand! John connected with a right and Kim connected with two! John with a nice back elbow as both men went against the cage. Kim missed with a right and John leapt on him, but Kim came back with another huge right! Kim went for another huge round jab, but John connected with a right hook. Kim connected with a right that put John down and Kim went for the kill, landing some great back hands to John’s head! Hathaway got his guard up as we’re down to the final minute of the first round. John with some more back elbow to the back of Kim’s head as Kim came down with a big blow! John tried to go for triangle as Kim missed with a kick, and we’re back to square one, and that’s the end of round one!
Round 2:
And here we go for round 2! John caught Kim with a big right and followed it up with a knee as Kim took him against the cage. Kim tried to go for a takedown but John hung on. John connected with a huge back elbow jab, taking Kim against the Octagon! Both men locked up once again as John tried to keep some distance between Kim and himself. John tried to go for a takedown but Kim connected with some big rights. John with another beautiful right hook as both men looked exhausted. Kim landed a big right, but John quickly cut him off. John connected with another beautiful right and then with another, landing a back elbow! We’re nearly down to the final minute of the second round as both men looked evenly matched. Kim with a nice takedown, and mounted on John with some beautiful lefts! John tried to use the cage to his advantage, trying to shift his balance and get on top of Kim, but Kim held John down with connected with some heavy fists as we come to the end of the second round!
Round 3:
And we go to round three as the fans show their appreciation! John connected with a high knee but missed a big jab. John went for another takedown as Kim held him off. Kim with a beautiful turning back elbow and that’s all she wrote!
Winner by KO: Dong Hyun Kim
Rating: *** ¾
Analysis: Easily the match of the night as both men looked even stevens in the first two rounds. The turning back elbow to drop Hathaway was amazing, as Kim now inches closer to the welterweight title in the UFC.
Post fight, Kim thanked the fans and said he was going to move forward. He then talked about the welterweight title and said he didn’t care about his opponents, and said he wanted to fight for the UFC welterweight title.
Over – all rating of the show: *** (Out of 5 stars)
The last fight certainly delivered, and one has to believe that Kim will break into the top 10 in the welterweight division with this victory. Going into the fight, Kim was the favorite to win, and he showed just why his back elbows are considered to be some of the most lethal in this business. And that’s all for tonight’s UFC Fight Night – Macao. Hope everyone enjoyed the show.
