UFC China is penciled in for December 9th although the venue still hasn’t been confirmed. A bantamweight headliner between Song Yadong and Petr Yan is reportedly in the works or this event.
It means fans hoping that the eagerly anticipated all Chinese strawweight title fight between Weili Zhang and Yan Xiaonan would find its way onto this card are destined for disappointment. Earlier this month Dana White made it clear that he wasn’t looking to make this particular match in China.
If a non title fight is going to headline the card it means Weili Zhang definitely won’t feature. According to Chris Presnell, who is an authority on Chinese MMA, that is the current plan:
🚨Breaking: 🇨🇳Song Yadong vs. 🇷🇺Petr Yan in the works to serve as the main event of UFC Fight Night on December 9th, per sources! No official location yet but still the hope for Shanghai, China. #MMA #UFC #UFCNews #MMANews pic.twitter.com/wdTLbZpWZo
— Chris Presnell (@mmaecosystem) September 27, 2023
Undisclosed injury
Yadong (20-7-1) was scheduled to fight Rob Font at UFC 292. He pulled out of that fight with an undisclosed injury but appears to be back in training in China.
He is based permanently at Team Alpha Male in California. But Yadong, who is coming off a win over Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 72, now appears to be back in his homeland.
Yan (16-5) normally prepares for fights at Tiger Muay Thai. The former bantamweight champion’s stock has fallen after three straight decision losses.
SAVED BY THE BELL 😳 #UFCVEGAS72 pic.twitter.com/p0nYIWJqjk
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 30, 2023
Previously announced
If this bantamweight bout is confirmed it will take the total number of Chinese fighters currently on the card to three. Yesterday it was confirmed that Sumudaerji would be facing Allan Nascimento in a flyweight fight. The Chinese fighter returns to the octagon after a year long absence.
Sumudaerji has three wins and three losses from his previous six UFC fights. He was last seen in action at UFC on ABC 3 where he was submitted in the second round by Matt Schnell.
Nascimento is coming off back to back wins. This won’t be the Brazilian’s first time fighting in Asia, in 2016 he dropped a split decision to Yuki Motoya at the Rizin World Grand Prix.
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No venue
We might not have a city of venue confirmed but the first fight has been booked for the UFC’s upcoming event in China. Zhang Mingyang faces Brendson Ribeiro in a light heavyweight bout on December 9th.
The 25 year old looks set to be part of a sizeable Chinese contingent on the card. The UFC has plenty of fighters from the country to choose from and Mingyang will be making his official debut.
Mingyang had been booked to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in February. He pulled out of that contest due to an undisclosed injury but will finally be making his promotional debut nine month’s later.
Mingyang is on a ten fight winning streak that culminated in a KO victory over George Tokkos at a Road to UFC event last year. Meanwhile Ribeiro will also be making his UFC debut.
UFC Fight Night 234, TBA, December 9th
Song Yadong vs. Petr Yan (Bantamweight)
Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro (Light heavyweight)
Sumudaerji vs. Allan Nascimento (Flyweight)
