Shanghai Event Shifted to Las Vegas

December 5, 2023

1 year

The pandemic forced a lot of people around the world to innovate how they think about work. One thing the UFC learned from live events being shut down was that putting on fight cards at their own Apex facility was an excellent way to stay on schedule. Originally, MMA latest updates showed that Saturday’s fight card was supposed to take place in Shanghai and feature Chinese star Song Yadong against former champion Petr Yan.

However, Yan withdrew from the fight and was replaced with Chris Gutierrez. While Gutierrez is ranked No. 14 in the bantamweight division, Yadong fighting former champion Yan would have provided a better idea of whether Yadong can position himself for a title fight. However, Gutierrez has proven to be a capable striker and can cause problems for Yadong if he isn’t disciplined.

This will be a fascinating challenge for Yadong, ranked No. 7, to take on short notice.

Gutierrez Ready for His Close-Up

Gutierrez had a unique skill set. While many fighters in the modern MMA game excel at leg kicks, Gutierrez has become a master of this strike. He has two leg-kick knockouts on his record. During his last bout against Alateng Heili, he was able to use the kicks to control the bout and pick up a unanimous decision victory.

One thing that Gutierrez doesn’t have is a number of high-profile victories. Gutierrez’s most impressive win was a flying knee against former champion Frankie Edgar. However, Edgar was well past his prime when Gutierrez scored the knockout.

This fight against Yadong will be a major step up in competition. Yadong is someone who has built a reputation for finishing fights. During three of Yadong’s last four fights, he has picked up TKO victories. In the lone fight where Yadong didn’t earn the knockout, he lost to Cory Sandhagen via the doctor’s stoppage.

Smith Hopes to Build Another Winning Streak

Anthony Smith, 35, has been searching for another shot at the light heavyweight championship. Ever since Smith lost to Jon Jones at UFC 235 in March 2019, Smith hasn’t been able to string together enough wins to earn another shot. After consecutive losses to Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker, things looked bleak for Smith.

But in August, he was able to get back in the win column with a split-decision victory over Ryan Spann. Smith is now stepping back in on short notice to take on dangerous striker Khalil Rountree.

Rountree is a dangerous opponent who is a powerful puncher. Smith has been chinny in the past and could be in a tough spot against Rountree, but MMA news sites show this could be an exciting feature for the co-main event.

Mudaerji Gets Back on the Horse

Chinese fighter Su Mudaerji decided to stay on the card despite the switch in location. Mudaerji wants to get back to winning ways in his flyweight bout with a fight with Allan Nascimento. It will be the return to the octagon after nearly a year off for Mudaerji, who is ranked No.12.

He lost to Matt Schnell in the most devastating way possible in July 2022. Mudaerji landed vicious elbows that could have halted the fight and had Schnell out on his feet. However, the referee allowed the fight to proceed. Schnell ended up rallying to submit Mudaerji.

Mullarkey Has a Lot to Prove

Jamie Mullarkey has had a busy 2023. The performances he’s turned in have left some lingering questions about which way the Australian lightweight is heading. This year, he fought two fighters that were short-notice replacements. Mullarkey scored an unimpressive victory over Francisco Prado at UFC 284 and was knocked out by Muhammad Naimov in June.

Mullarkey did beat John Makdessi in September and will want to show he’s capable of more by beating Nasrat Haqparast on Saturday. Haqparast is on a two-fight winning streak entering the bout.

Iron Turtle: A Tough Matchup For Any Fighter

Park Jun-yong would like to think he is destined for a top 15 middleweight ranking. He’s hoping a win over Andre Muniz may get him there after this weekend. Things turned around for Park after he was knocked out by Gregory Rodrigues in October 2021.

After taking nearly a year off, Park returned and started a four-fight winning streak by beating Eryk Anders in May 2022. But the three fights since then have raised Park’s appeal immensely. He’s no longer grinding out decisions.

Park has been finishing his opponents, rolling off three consecutive submissions to give him six for his career. Muniz had been on a nine-year streak without a loss before he was submitted by Brendan Allen in February. Muniz followed that up with a TKO loss and desperately needed some positive momentum. Muniz has 15 career submissions, and will make life difficult for Park.

Kenan Ready for Third Fight of the Year

Song Kenan got off to a rough start in 2023 when MMA news websites saw he was knocked out by Ian Machado Garry. Kenan rebounded by picking up a decision victory over Rolando Bedoya. Kenan will look to serve as a gatekeeper against the inexperienced Kevin Jousset.

Jousset made his UFC debut in September and won by first-round submission.

UFC Made This Card Work

Despite the change in venue and the cancellation of the finals of the Road to UFC Season 2 being pulled from the event, the UFC was still able to cobble together a card of 12 fights. While it was far from the original plan, UFC was able to make everything fit together.

Here’s a look at the other scheduled fights for the card not listed above: