J. Andrade (left) faces W. Zhang (right) at UFC Shenzhen. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube ReactQ 2
The Brazilian Jessica Stacker is ready to defend her strawweight title (up to 51,2kg) for the first time. After going through the traditional weight cut, the native of Paraná is around 300g below the division's limit, weighing 51,9kg, and guarantees his presence in the main fight of UFC Shenzhen, this Saturday (31), in China, against the host, Weili Zhang, which weighed 51,2kg. The ceremonial weigh-ins took place this Friday morning (Brasília time). All five representatives from Brazil guaranteed their presence at the event. One fight was removed from the card at the last minute. Without explanation, the fight between Zhenhong Lu and Movsar Evloev Was canceled.
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Of the 26 athletes scheduled to present themselves to the Chinese public, 24 are confirmed for this weekend's duels. With the cancellation of the clash between Zhenhong Lu and Movsar Evloev, instead of 13, the card will feature 12 clashes, including a duel between the Brazilians Karol Rosa and Lara Procópio; in the presence of Thiago Moses, on the preliminary card; It is Elizeu Capoeira representing the Tupiniquin lands in the co-main fight of the night.
Bate-Estaca and the first defense
The main role of the event is Jessica Andrade, who makes his first title defense against the dangerous Weili Zhang, athlete born in China. Bate-Estaca wants to ensure that it deserves to hold the division title and dispel Ultimate's expectations of having an Asian champion to increase business in the most populous country in the world.
After securing the weights, the athletes did the traditional face-offs, which mark the last meeting of the combatants before going up to the octagon and guaranteeing a show for the spectators. This time, Andrade did not show the friendliness with which he treated the former champion, Rose namajunas, when it was ahead of the North American. On the occasion, Jéssica presented Namajunas with a rose before defeating her, in the UFC 237, in Rio de Janeiro.
Bate-Estaca took to the stage showing a lot of focus and concentration, he made a serious face, looking Weile in the eyes and only smiled at the final moment, when he greeted this Saturday's opponent. The athlete also spoke to the public about her expectations for the fight.
“The belt will return to Brazil. I wanted to convey to her that it won't be easy. My battle tank came more loaded than hers. When I agreed to fight Zhang, I wanted it. When you're the champion, you have to show your face. I'll do the fights that come my way. I never chose a fight, I won’t choose now,” said Andrade.
Elizeu calm
L. Jingliang faces E. Capoeiera at UFC Shenzhen. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube UFC
One of the protagonists of the night, Elizeu Capoeira, showed his usual calmness when achieving his goals with the scales and heading towards UFC Shenzen. The fighter will face the 'owner of the house', li jingliang, in the fight that precedes the title fight. Capoeira, representative of the welterweight division (up to 77kg), scored 77,3kg. (using the pound tolerance), while his opponent scored 77,5kg. Elizeu lives with the expectation of facing a top 10 in the category, in case of victory.
“He (Li) is the star. I'm hoping to knock him out. It's going to be my best fight. Honestly, we work in all areas. Let's impose our game on him. In this last camp (training) we added more weapons to the game. If he wants to change, he will have striking. If he wants to go to the ground, it will be finished soon, said the man from Paraná.
Fight between Brazilians
K. Rosa (left) and L. Procópio (right) face UFC Shenzhen. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube ReactQ 2
Brazilians will have yet another reason to watch the Chinese card. On the other side of the Tupiniquin lands, the Brazilian Karol Rosa and Lara Procópio will represent Brazil and face each other in the first fight of the event. In addition to the responsibility of opening the show, the bantamweights (up to 61,2kg) seek to have more visibility within the category, which is currently dominated by their compatriot, Amanda nunes.
Fight canceled
A curious fact took place behind the scenes at UFC Shenzhen. After two athletes made weight and fulfilled their obligations to the company, the fight between Zhenhong Lu and Movsar Evloev it was removed from the card without clarification to the public. According to board representatives, Zhenhong was not cleared by doctors to enter the octagon, but the reason has not yet been disclosed to the press.
Check the weight of UFC Shenzhen athletes
MAIN CARD (7 p.m. Brasília time)
Straw weight (up to 52,2kg): Jessica Stacker (51,9kg) x Weili Zhang (52,1kg) – Fight for the belt
Welterweight (up to 77,6kg): li jingliang (77,5kg) x Elizeu Capoeira (77,3kg
Flyweight (up to 57,2kg): Mark de la Rosa (56,9kg) x Kai Kara France (57,1kg)
Welterweight (up to 77,6kg): Kenan Song (77,3kg) x Derrick Krantz (76,6kg)
PRELIMINARY CARD (4 p.m. Brasília time)
Flyweight (up to 57,2kg): Wu Yanan (58,5kg) ** x Mizuki Inoue (56,6kg)
Average weight (up to 84,4kg): anthony hernandez (84kg) x Jun Yong Park (84,3kg)
Bantamweight (up to 61,7kg): Andre Soukhamthath (61,6kg) x Su Mudaerji (61,6kg)
Light heavyweight (up to 93,4kg): Da Un Jung (93,4kg) x Khadis Ibragimov (93,4kg)
Lightweight (up to 70,8kg): Damir Ismagulov (70,5kg) x Thiago Moses (70,7kg)
Bantamweight (up to 61,7kg): Danaa Batgerel (61,6kg) x Heili Alateng (61,6kg)
Bantamweight (up to 61,7kg): Karol Rosa (61,4kg) x Lara Procópio (61,2kg)
* Athletes who are not fighting for the belt have a tolerance of one pound (0,454g) under the official weight of each category.
** Did not make weight and will have 30% of your purse reverted to your opponent.
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