Tune Yadong Delivers Profession-Defining UFC Macau Victory Over Deiveson Figueiredo
For the tough patch that Chinese language-born fighters had within the UFC Macau card on Could 30, all of it appeared to repay for the native crowd ultimately when Tune Yadong had his second. And in one of many greatest alternatives in his profession, Yadong has proven why he’s within the higher echelon of the UFC’s bantamweight contenders.
Yadong took on Deiveson Figueiredo within the UFC Macau foremost occasion. Previous to that, it was a collection of unlucky occasions for these fighters competing of their homeland:
- Zhu Kangjie was viciously knocked out by Rodrigo Vera.
- Former ONE strawweight champion Xiong Jingnan was dominated by Angela Hill.
- Aori Qileng was stopped by Cody Haddon.
- Ding Meng fell on the improper finish of a break up choice.
- Su Mudaerji’s battle with Alex Perez ended inconclusively after a groin shot.
- Zhang Mingyang was knocked out by a 38-year-old Alonzo Menifield.
With the best way issues had been enjoying out, momentum didn’t appear so good for Yadong. However Yadong was additionally a -600 favourite heading into the battle with Figueiredo. Although Figueiredo is a former flyweight champion, he has struggled of late at 135, and he entered this battle a +400 underdog.
Yadong then proved these odds had been the percentages for a purpose by combating one of the crucial good fights in his profession. Firstly, it helped that Figueiredo didn’t do something of a lot within the first spherical – in truth, he threw simply six strikes. However it was additionally Yadong pounding the previous UFC champ’s leg with repeated kicks and stuffing takedown makes an attempt.
The one damaging towards Yadong through the first spherical was a late slip, which prompted Figueiredo a chance to leap on prime and finish the spherical there. Thankfully, not a lot was accomplished.
Yadong’s placing output then elevated within the second spherical, touchdown 30 strikes, with half of them being deemed important. He additionally continued to defend the takedown, which was a famous key to victory for Yadong – a confirmed striker – towards somebody with the grappling prowess of Figueiredo.
Having mentioned that, the ending sequence concerned Figueiredo trying to make use of his grappling edge, solely to have it backfire in a serious means. As Figueiredo went in for an additional takedown try, Yadong was prepared. Not solely did he defend it, he locked Figueiredo in a guillotine choke. It didn’t take lengthy for Yadong to sink the choke in, and it didn’t take lengthy for Figueiredo to undergo the maintain.
It was the most effective wins, if not one of the best win, the Workforce Alpha Male product has ever had within the UFC. And that has to imply a giant alternative is in his means for his subsequent outing.
The query turns into who that subsequent battle is towards. Yadong, who entered this battle at No. 5 within the UFC’s bantamweight rankings, has fought many of the names surrounding him. A brand new alternative might come towards Aiemann Zahabi, however that in all probability occurs provided that Zahabi loses to Sean O’Malley on the White Home card. Former champion Merab Dvalishvili presents a brand new matchup, too; nonetheless, that’d in all probability solely occur if he loses a rematch with Yan earlier than Yadong fights once more.
However, issues look nice for Yadong. And when you think about he’s already a UFC veteran with loads of fights below him at simply 28 years previous, he would possibly nonetheless have extra of a shiny future forward of him.
