Song Yadong submitted Figueiredo with a guillotine choke late in the second round, delivering the standout result for the Chinese contingent on a card where six of their seven representatives lost. Sergei Pavlovich finished Glover Teixeira in just 39 seconds, and Ricky Simon Asakura returned to bantamweight with a knockout of Smotherman. The event featured nine finishes across 13 bouts, seven of them in the first round, while Minyang lost to Meynfield in the co-main and Alex Perez was hospitalized after a low blow from Su Mudaerji rendered the fight a no-contest.
UFC Macao delivered one of the year's most finish-heavy cards on June 1, with nine stoppages across 13 bouts and several performances that will reshape the landscape in multiple divisions.
The headline result saw Song Yadong submit Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke late in the second round, a striking outcome for the Chinese contender and a rare bright spot for the home contingent on a night when six of their seven representatives fell short.
Sergei Pavlovich made short, brutal work of Glover Teixeira, ending the former light heavyweight champion's night in just 39 seconds. Teixeira, now 46 years old and carrying a 33-9 record, brought a six-foot-two frame and a 76-inch reach into the cage, along with a career built on grappling pressure and veteran savvy. The Brazilian had averaged over two takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career, but Pavlovich gave him no opportunity to put any of that to use.
Kai Asakura made a successful return to bantamweight, knocking out Smotherman in what stood as one of the card's cleaner finishes. The 32-year-old Japanese fighter, ranked 15th at flyweight, carries a 21-6 record and competes out of Japan Top Team. His move back up to bantamweight paid immediate dividends.
The night was not without controversy. A low blow from Su Mudaerji against flyweight contender Alex Perez resulted in a no-contest, and Perez was subsequently hospitalized. The 34-year-old American, ranked seventh in the flyweight division with a 26-10 record, was unable to continue after the illegal strike. In the co-main event, Minyang dropped a decision to Meynfield.
Why it matters
- Seven of nine finishes came in the first round, signaling an unusually aggressive pace across the card
- Pavlovich's 39-second finish over a former champion strengthens his position in the heavyweight division
- Perez's hospitalization raises concern about his availability and the flyweight rankings at number seven
- Song Yadong's submission win over Figueiredo carries significant title-picture implications at bantamweight
