In the culmination of the Road to UFC season finale in Las Vegas, three outstanding Asian fighters, Rongzhu, Yizha, and Rei Tsuruya, earned their spots on the UFC roster with impressive finishes. Each fighter showcased their skills by securing victories inside the distance, leading to their well-deserved contracts with the UFC.
Rongzhu, representing China, faced Shin Haraguchi from Japan in the season finale’s concluding bout. The intense three round battle concluded with Rongzhu securing a tight rear-naked choke, forcing Haraguchi to tap at the 3:06 mark of Round 3. Rongzhu’s victory marked his second chance at UFC glory after a previous stint with a 1-2 record. He has since won four consecutive fights, including three in the Road to UFC season.
Yizha, also from China, redeemed himself after a previous UFC appearance in 2023, where he lost a split decision. This time, Yizha left no room for doubt, catching his compatriot Kaiwen Li in an armbar during the grappling exchange. The stop page occurred at 3:03 into Round 1, securing Yizha’s place in the UFC.
Rei Tsuruya from Japan made an impactful UFC debut in the Road to UFC series. Despite almost running out of time in the opening round, Tsuruya showcased relentless ground-and-pound, forcing the stop page with just one second remaining in the frame. Tsuruya’s victory marked his entry into the UFC’s flyweight division.
Rongzhu, Yizha, and Tsuruya emerged as tournament winners in the lightweight, featherweight, and flyweight categories, respectively. The bantamweight division’s final was postponed due to Xiao Long’s injury, leading to his withdrawal from the fight against Chang Ho Lee.
These compelling performances under scored the talent and determination of Asian fighters as they earned their coveted UFC contracts on the Road to UFC stage.
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