The Octagon landed in the Far East last weekend, with Macau hosting a UFC Fight Night card that showcased a wealth of Chinese fighting talent, headlined by their biggest male star, Song Yadong.
Here’s our assessment of the top performers from the main card at UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo.
1. Song Yadong
The main event fighter rightfully claims the top spot in our Power Rankings. Song Yadong shouldered the hopes of a nation, with fans eagerly anticipating the first and only Chinese victory of the night. He also aimed to make a definitive statement to propel himself into the title contention at 135 pounds. The pressure was immense, and he couldn’t afford to falter.
Fortunately for Song and the Chinese fans present, he delivered spectacularly. He put on an outstanding performance, submitting former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the second round.
This victory positions Song firmly in the mix for a title shot and provided the Macau crowd with a memorable “I was there” moment, as his show-stealing win nearly erupted the Galaxy Arena.
2. Rodrigo Vera
Rodrigo Vera’s UFC aspirations seemed dashed after failing to qualify for The Ultimate Fighter. However, he remained in Las Vegas, stayed prepared, and seized his opportunity with both hands.
Vera stepped in on short notice to face Zhu Kangjie and secured a knockout victory in under two minutes, making an immediate impact as a Peruvian bantamweight. Now in the UFC, his progression in the exciting bantamweight division promises to be captivating.
3. Kai Asakura
Kai Asakura has returned to the bantamweight division and rediscovered his former prowess. The Japanese superstar’s initial UFC stint at flyweight resulted in two defeats. However, on Saturday, he faced a less experienced opponent and moved up a weight class to secure the crucial result he desperately needed.
While Cameron Smotherman might not be a former world champion like Alexandre Pantoja or a title challenger like Tim Elliott, Asakura demonstrated his superiority decisively. He overwhelmed Smotherman in just one minute and 50 seconds to achieve his first UFC win.
Kai Asakura at flyweight appeared depleted and compromised. Kai Asakura at bantamweight is a formidable force. He is set to be a thrilling fighter to watch in the 135-pound division moving forward.
4. Alonzo Menifield
Alonzo Menifield has long been known for his heavy hands in the light heavyweight division, but hadn’t registered a knockout win since October 2022. That streak is now history, thanks to Menifield’s thrilling first-round TKO victory over the Chinese knockout artist Zhang Mingyang.
Given Zhang’s predictable fighting style โ advancing forward and throwing heavy shots โ many anticipated Menifield might opt for wrestling and grappling to control the fight. However, “Atomic” was not interested in a prolonged contest.
Instead, Menifield dug deep and engaged in a striking battle with “The Mountain Tiger.” Despite absorbing some significant blows, Menifield pushed through the adversity to eventually overwhelm Zhang, securing a first-round finish. The bout also earned both fighters a $100,000 Fight of the Night bonus.
With a significant victory, a six-figure payday, and his ranking position solidified, Menifield can now set his sights on the contenders ahead of him in the light heavyweight rankings. If he continues to rely on his power in MMA gloves, he will be a difficult opponent to overcome.
5. Angela Hill
A matchup that held potential for Fight of the Night delivered an exciting contest as UFC veteran Angela Hill welcomed former ONE Championship strawweight champion Xiong Jingnan to the UFC.
Xiong displayed a respectable performance, but Hill was outstanding. “Overkill” looked better than she has in years, outstriking and outworking the typically relentless Xiong. She frustrated her opponent with unpredictable strikes and targeted the body effectively, showcasing a superb mix of striking techniques.
This was an excellent all-around performance that might not receive the widespread recognition it deserves from the broader UFC fanbase, as not everyone is fully aware of Xiong’s capabilities. However, Hill is deserving of all the credit for this victory.
It was a valuable learning experience for Xiong, who is expected to deliver stronger performances in the future. Nevertheless, Saturday belonged to Hill, as she secured the 19th win of her career.
