UFC Fight Night 122: Bisping vs Gastelum (Results)
UFC Shanghai will go down as one of this year’s more surprising cards; considering that despite the relative lack of big names except in its headlining fight, the UFC’s first event in Mainland China delivered.
The main event was the proverbial passing of the torch fight which saw young lion Kelvin Gastelum snatch the keys to the kingdom from one of the last soldiers of the old guard Michael Bisping.
Furthermore, the co-main event saw China’s most successful UFC fighter Li Jingliang make a statement with a decisive TKO victory over Zak Ottow. The undercard featured several excellent fights as well. So, without further ado, here are the complete results for UFC Shanghai—
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Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Kelvin Gastelum vs. Michael Bisping
The vast majority of MMA fans and experts lauded Bisping for his warrior spirit for stepping up on such short notice against such a dangerous KO artist; not to mention having just come off a war with GSP earlier this month.
However, all signs pointed to Bisping getting finished in brutal fashion, and the fight played out as expected. Gastelum demolished Bisping with a crisp right-left combination in the pocket—something that he’d been drilling with his coaches, per his revelation in the post-fight interview.
No shame in losing to a great young fighter like Gastelum, and Bisping marches forward into his next fight in London; possibly in March of next year which he says will be his retirement match. The UFC Middleweight division has a new contender now, and Gastelum’s crisp boxing may very well lead him to the UFC 185-pound belt.
Result: Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping via KO (Punches) (Round 1, 2:30)
#2 Li Jingliang vs. Zak Ottow
Jingliang is well-known for his vaunted KO power, however, what seemed even more impressive today was his poise and distance management throughout the fight.
If Jingliang continues to pace himself and improve his striking defence his natural knockout power will surely take him to the upper echelons of the UFC. He caught Ottow’s kick and trounced him with a straight right; finishing the job with a few ground and pound strikes for good measure.
Result: Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow via TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 2:57)
#3 Wang Guan vs. Alex Caceres
Guan outclassed Caceres on the feet and almost finished the latter within Round 1.
Nevertheless, Caceres somehow survived but ran afoul; striking Guan in the groin multiple times throughout the fight. Resultantly, Guan slowed down in the third and final round; likely giving Caceres the round, but outpointing the latter overall.
Result: Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
#4 Alex Garcia vs. Muslim Salikhov
Muslim Salikhov is an excellent kickboxer and kung fu fighter, but his grappling game was surely exposed against Garcia.
Garcia weathered the early spinning attacks that Salikhov is known for; taking the fight to the mat and wearing out the latter. Garcia then beautifully transitioned to Salikhov’s back; choking out the latter.
Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) (Round 2, 3:22)