UFC Fight Night 122: Bisping vs Gastelum (Results)

Kelvin Gastelum knocked out Michael Bisping in Round 1 of their main event matchup at UFC Shanghai
Kelvin Gastelum knocked out Michael Bisping in Round 1 of their main event matchup at UFC Shanghai

UFC Shanghai will go down as one of this year’s more surprising cards; considering that despite the relative lack of big names except in its headlining fight, the UFC’s first event in Mainland China delivered.

The main event was the proverbial passing of the torch fight which saw young lion Kelvin Gastelum snatch the keys to the kingdom from one of the last soldiers of the old guard Michael Bisping.

Furthermore, the co-main event saw China’s most successful UFC fighter Li Jingliang make a statement with a decisive TKO victory over Zak Ottow. The undercard featured several excellent fights as well. So, without further ado, here are the complete results for UFC Shanghai—

*Indian fans can watch UFC events Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD*


Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Kelvin Gastelum vs. Michael Bisping

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The vast majority of MMA fans and experts lauded Bisping for his warrior spirit for stepping up on such short notice against such a dangerous KO artist; not to mention having just come off a war with GSP earlier this month.

However, all signs pointed to Bisping getting finished in brutal fashion, and the fight played out as expected. Gastelum demolished Bisping with a crisp right-left combination in the pocket—something that he’d been drilling with his coaches, per his revelation in the post-fight interview.

No shame in losing to a great young fighter like Gastelum, and Bisping marches forward into his next fight in London; possibly in March of next year which he says will be his retirement match. The UFC Middleweight division has a new contender now, and Gastelum’s crisp boxing may very well lead him to the UFC 185-pound belt.

Result: Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping via KO (Punches) (Round 1, 2:30)


#2 Li Jingliang vs. Zak Ottow

Jingliang is well-known for his vaunted KO power, however, what seemed even more impressive today was his poise and distance management throughout the fight.

If Jingliang continues to pace himself and improve his striking defence his natural knockout power will surely take him to the upper echelons of the UFC. He caught Ottow’s kick and trounced him with a straight right; finishing the job with a few ground and pound strikes for good measure.

Result: Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow via TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 2:57)


#3 Wang Guan vs. Alex Caceres

Guan outclassed Caceres on the feet and almost finished the latter within Round 1.

Nevertheless, Caceres somehow survived but ran afoul; striking Guan in the groin multiple times throughout the fight. Resultantly, Guan slowed down in the third and final round; likely giving Caceres the round, but outpointing the latter overall.

Result: Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)


#4 Alex Garcia vs. Muslim Salikhov

Muslim Salikhov is an excellent kickboxer and kung fu fighter, but his grappling game was surely exposed against Garcia.

Garcia weathered the early spinning attacks that Salikhov is known for; taking the fight to the mat and wearing out the latter. Garcia then beautifully transitioned to Salikhov’s back; choking out the latter.

Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Round 2, 3:22)

Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Sheymon Moraes

Zabit got the job done at UFC Shanghai
Zabit got the job done at UFC Shanghai

Magomedsharipov is the real deal!

Sheymon Moraes is a good fighter, but was thoroughly outclassed by his Russian foe. Magomedsharipov dominated the striking exchanges, and was well ahead on the scorecards, but pushed hard for the finish nonetheless; transitioning to an anaconda choke and tapping out Moraes right in the last moments of the fight.

Result: Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Sheymon Moraes via Submission (Anaconda Choke) (Round 3, 4:30)


#2 Song Kenan vs. Bobby Nash

Song Kenan obliterated Bobby Nash in violent fashion.

Nash is a decent fighter but leaves his chin way up in the air; and although Kenan may not be the biggest puncher in the world, he caught the latter flush and put him out early.

This fight is a tough loss for Nash, and hopefully he goes back to the drawing board and makes some much-needed changes in his striking game after this.

Result: Song Kenan def. Bobby Nash via TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 0:15)


#3 Yan Xiaonan vs. Kailin Curran

Xiaonan scored the upset over Kailin Curran much to the delight of the fans in attendance at UFC Shanghai.

Although the fight in and of itself was quite competitive, Curran seemed to underperform against a very game foe. Xiaonan may gradually develop into a force to reckon with should she keep working on her striking game.

Xiaonan stayed wary of the ground, and seemed more comfortable on the feet; something that Curran’s corner failed to spot between rounds. All in all, Xiaonan slightly edged Curran both in the grappling and striking departments.

Result: Yan Xiaonan def. Kailin Curran via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)


#4 Song Yadong vs. Bharat Khandare

Song Yadong never gave Bharat Khandare a chance in this one.

Khandare seemed to be jittery in his movements and slinked into Yadong’s range; with the latter beautifully transitioning into a front choke for the win. One ought to note that Khandare made history by becoming the first Indian-born MMA fighter to ever compete in the UFC, but came up short against a very game and deadly Yadong.

Result: Song Yadong def. Bharat Khandare via Submission (Front Choke) (Round 1, 4:16)

#5 Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chase Sherman

Shamil Abdurakhimov showcased vastly improved striking at UFC Shanghai
Shamil Abdurakhimov showcased vastly improved striking at UFC Shanghai

Sherman showed no intelligible defence whatsoever in this fight; and paid for it dearly.

Although both Abdurakhimov and Sherman aren’t top-tier fighters in the UFC Heavyweight division per se, the performance put up by Sherman has got to haunt him in the days that follow. Abdurakhimov blazed through Sherman; sleeping the latter with a huge punch.

Result: Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman via KO (Punch) (Round 1, 1:24)


#6 Gina Mazany vs. Wu Yanan

Gina Mazany encountered a rather awkward style in Wu Yanan, but was awarded the win by the judges nonetheless.

Mazany controlled the pace of this matchup and dictated where the fight takes place—something that usually is a significant plus-point in the eyes of the judges. She did have a few problems with Yanan’s timing and chilly poise in the Octagon, but was the more skilled fighter of the two.

Result: Gina Mazany def. Wu Yanan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)


#7 Rolando Dy vs. Wuliji Buren

Rolando Dy had several openings in this matchup with Wuliji Buren but seemed tentative in the striking exchanges.

Dy did enough to steal rounds from Buren, and with the crowd growing restless tried to push the pace as well, but to no avail. He out-struck Buren, and thoroughly schooled the latter’s overall MMA game, and walked away the victor across the scorecards in the end.

Result: Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)


#8 Cyril Asker vs. Hu Yaozong

Asker kept Yaozong at bay with his strikes, but this matchup saw the best sequences occur on the mat.

Yaozong seemed impressive in the first round, but tired down the stretch before giving up his back and getting submitted in the second round.

Result: Cyril Asker def. Hu Yaozong via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Round 2, 2:33)

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram