A quiet weekend in the world of MMA allowed some Asian prospects to shine, because the second coming of the “Road to UFC” kicked off from China.
The initial season of the tournament format series was a success throughout 2022, and the UFC continued the format starting today from the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai.
Flyweight and featherweight fighters were featured in the opening episode, and it was Sang Won Kim who stole the show in the final bout of the card when he scored a devastating second-round knockout of Keisuke Sasu that claimed up space on the highlight reel.
Check out complete results from Episode 1 of “Road to UFC 2” below.
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Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Topnoi Kiwram
Result: Nyamjargal Tumendemberel def. Topnoi Kiwram via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Tumendemberel (7-0), Kiwram (9-5)
Weight class: Flyweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
Still unbeaten! 😤
Nyamjargal Tumendemberel gets the split decision nod. #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/O4VQ6NYDoW
— UFC (@ufc) May 27, 2023
Rei Tsuruya def. Ronal Siahaan
Result:>Rei Tsuruya def. Ronal Siahaan via submission (kimura) – Round 2, 1:19
Updated records: Tsuruya (7-0), Siahaan (7-1)
Weight class: Flyweight
Referee: Mark Craig
Hip-throw to perfection! 🥋
🇯🇵@mma_rei gets the job done with a beautiful sub and dub! #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/fR8YO9VkfZ
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) May 27, 2023
Zha Yi def. Wuziazibieke Jiahefu
Result: Zha Yi def. Wuziazibieke Jiahefu via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:28
Updated records: Yi (23-4), Jiahefu (30-12-1)
Weight class: Featherweight
Referee: Thomas Fan
No judges needed in his #RoadToUFC redemption! 😤
🇨🇳's Yi Zha locks in the armbar for the first-round finish! pic.twitter.com/0EhmGdQXKC
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) May 27, 2023
Mark Climaco def. Jung Hyun Lee
Result: Mark Climaco def. Jung Hyun Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Climaco (9-1), Lee (8-1)
Weight class: Flyweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
The work is never done until 🇵🇭🇺🇸@MarkClimaco gets that UFC contract! 🎯 #RoadToUFC pic.twitter.com/hm5AIRAK4s
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) May 27, 2023
Sang Won Kim def. Keisuke Sasu
Result: Sang Won Kim def. Keisuke Sasu via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 1:42
Updated records: Climaco (9-1), Lee (8-1)
Weight class: Flyweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
No Problem indeed! 👊
South Korea's Sang Won Kim closes Episode 1 of #RoadToUFC with a nasty finish! pic.twitter.com/DetozVIr8w
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) May 27, 2023
