Gastelum knocked out Bisping in the first round (Photo: Reproduction/CombatePlay)
Climbed with just 15 days of preparation to face Kelvin Gastelum in the main fight of UFC China, which took place this Saturday (25), in the city of Shanghai, Michael Bisping had said that he saw in the duel the opportunity to erase the defeat suffered against Georges St Pierre, three weeks ago, when he lost the middleweight belt. The former champion's plan, however, didn't work out at all.
Bisping, who came in as a replacement for Anderson Silva, caught doping, was no match for the aggressiveness of the young and favorite Gastelum, who put him out with a powerful left cross at 2:30 of the first round, in the main attraction of the show.
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The triumph serves as a recovery for Kelvin, finished by Chris Weidman in July this year. At just 26 years old and considered small for middleweight, the future of the Kings MMA fighter remains undefined, but the athlete indicated that he should continue weighing 84kg when challenging the interim champion Robert whittaker.
“It was the biggest victory of my career. The biggest of my life. I am very grateful to my family and fans who were here. I heard that they need someone [to face the Robert whittaker in Australia. I’m here,” said Gastelum in the interview while still in the octagon.
Bisping, who revealed plans to retire from MMA in March 2018, at the event to be held in London, England), suffered his second defeat in the last seven fights. At 38 years old, he remains, alongside St. Pierre, as the biggest winner in UFC history, with 20 victories.
“I was enjoying it. He hit me with a good hit. It's new, I've been doing this for a long time, I'm getting old. Sorry, guys”, declared the former champion.
The fight
Gastelum started the fight more aggressive, firing a good kick at Bisping. More cautious, the Englishman began to surround the octagon, avoiding exchanges. Kelvin threw a left jab, but the former champion responded with a good combination of punches. When he began to grow in combat, Bisping was surprised by a very strong left cross from Gastelum, falling unconscious. The American also unleashed a barrage of blows until he was stopped by the central referee.
Lively combats complete the main portion
Guan (right) beat Caceres (left) in his UFC debut (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram UFCBrasil)
If the main event of the night was exciting, the fights that completed the main card were not far behind in terms of aggression. With a knockout, a submission and an exciting decision victory, Chinese fans were treated to three quality fights.
Main Chinese athlete on the current UFC roster, welterweight li jingliang He delighted the audience in the arena by knocking out Zak Ottow in the first round. During the celebration, he jumped over the octagon fence and literally went into the arms of his family. This was the Asian's fourth consecutive victory in the organization, the third by knockout.
Another newcomer to the show, featherweight Guan Wang arrived on the right foot by dominating the experienced Alex Caceres, with two knockdowns. In the end, he won by a strange split decision, as the Chinese was better during the three rounds.
In the opening fight of the main card, Alex Garcia was not aware of the Russian debutant's favoritism muslim salikhov and submitted his rival in the second round with a rear naked choke.
UFC China results
MAIN CARD
Average weight: Kelvin Gastelum derrotou Michael Bisping by technical knockout at 2:30 of R1
Welterweight Weight: li jingliang defeated Zak Ottow by technical knockout at 2:57 of R1
Featherweight: Wang Guan defeated Alex Caceres by split decision of the judges (29×28, 28×29, 29×28)
Welterweight: Alex Garcia defeated muslim salikhov via submission (rear naked choke) at 3m22s of R2
PRELIMINARY CARD
Feather weight: Zabit Magomedsharipov derrotou Sheymon Moraes via submission (hand triangle) at 4m33s of R3
Welterweight Weight: Kenan Song defeated Bobby Nash via technical knockout 15 seconds into R1
Straw weight: yan xiaonan defeated Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29×28, 29×28, 30×27)
Bantamweight: song yadong defeated Bharat Khandare via submission (choke) at 4:16 of R1
Heavyweight: Shamil Abdurakhimov defeated Chase sherman by technical knockout at 1:24 of R1
Bantamweight: Gina Mazany derrotou Yanan Wu by unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×27, 30×27)
Featherweight: Rolando Dy defeated Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30×27, 29×28, 30×27)
Heavyweight: Cyril Asker defeated Yaozong Hu via submission (rear naked choke) at 2m33s of R2
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