Hosted at the Galaxy Arena, the event delivered a sensational night of fights, showcasing the best of mixed martial arts in front of an excited crowd. From the undercard to the main event, UFC Macau was packed with electrifying action that left fans buzzing.
As always, fighters from all corners of the globe converged on Macau for this event, with some choosing to fine-tune their preparations in Thailand at renowned gyms like Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA and Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. These world-class facilities have become hotspots for UFC athletes looking to sharpen their skills ahead of major matchups, and the results were clear as many fighters came out looking more polished than ever.
Nikolas Motta dominates Maheshate
The night kicked off with a solid performance from Brazilian lightweight, Nikolas Motta, who faced China’s Maheshate Hayisaer in an exciting lightweight bout. Motta, coming off a successful training camp at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym, put on a masterful display of striking and defense, earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27 across the board. Motta’s precision and aggression throughout the fight made it clear he was in control from the start.
After the fight, Motta expressed his gratitude for his coaches and training partners, particularly his time spent working with UFC lightweight Brad Riddell at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym, which helped him stay calm and focused throughout the fight.
Zhang Mingyang starts strong with explosive finish
The action ramped up quickly with Chinese light heavyweight Zhang Mingyang, aka “The Mountain Tiger,” opening the main card with an explosive performance against Ozzy Diaz. Zhang wasted no time, using his brutal power to land a short elbow that sent Diaz crashing to the canvas. Without hesitation, Zhang swarmed his opponent, landing ground-and-pound strikes that forced the referee to stop the fight in under three minutes. The crowd roared in approval as Zhang continued his rise in the UFC light heavyweight division. Zhang had finished off his fight camp training with the team at Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA gym.
Carlos Ulberg extends his streak
New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg faced former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Ulberg, known for his crisp striking and dynamic movement, fought a methodical and intelligent contest against Oezdemir. Displaying a high fight IQ and excellent defensive tactics, Ulberg earned a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), extending his impressive win streak to seven consecutive victories in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
He was selective with his counters, avoiding Oezdemir’s heavy hands while landing clean, effective shots that kept his opponent at bay. Ulberg’s patience and strategic approach to the fight were key in his victory. UFC lightweight and coach, Brad Riddell from Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA gym was also in Ulberg’s corner, offering guidance throughout the fight, which clearly paid off.
Yan Xiaonan shines in co-main event
In the co-main event, China’s Yan Xiaonan returned to the octagon for the first time since her title challenge against Zhang Weili earlier this year. Yan took on the tough Jessica Ricci and was dominant from start to finish. She pressed the action, using her striking to control the pace and earning a comfortable decision win (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). After the fight, Yan called for a rematch against Zhang Weili, who was seated cageside. The atmosphere was electric as the two Chinese fighters exchanged words, signaling an inevitable clash in the future that fans are eagerly anticipating.
Petr Yan takes control in main event
The main event saw Russia’s Petr Yan, a fighter who has made Phuket his second home while training at Tiger Muay Thai gym, takes on Brazil’s Deiveson Figueiredo in a bantamweight showdown.
Yan, known for his elite striking and composure under pressure, displayed his full range of skills in this bout. He was able to nullify Figueiredo’s grappling attempts, staying calm and controlling the distance with precise strikes. Yan earned a unanimous decision victory (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), proving once again that he is one of the top bantamweights in the division. His performance was a testament to his hard work at Tiger Muay Thai gym, where he has spent countless hours sharpening his striking and preparing for high-level competition.
Ming Shi’s knockout of the night
One of the most jaw-dropping moments of the night came from “Doctor Sleep” Shi Ming, who scored an outstanding head kick knockout in the third round against Xiaocan Feng. The impact of the strike was so powerful that Feng was immediately taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons, although she is now in stable condition. The crowd went silent as medical personnel rushed to her aid, but the knockout itself was one of the most spectacular finishes of the night.
For her efforts, Shi Ming earned the “Road to UFC” women’s strawweight tournament crown, her UFC contract, as well as a well-deserved ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus. During her post-fight interview, Shi Ming praised and her coaches and team, saying they were the biggest reason why she was there. “I’m just a normal girl, I’m not grown, I’m not strong, I have bad eyes, I don’t have high testosterone, and I don’t even have a professional sports background,” she added, humbly.
A memorable UFC Macau experience
UFC Macau 2024 was an unforgettable event for both the fighters and fans. Fight week was a whirlwind, from pre and post-fight media conferences, to official weigh-ins, and a community fitness media event. The atmosphere at the Galaxy Macau was electric, and the food and refreshments provided for the media were nothing short of top-notch, a solid 10-out-of-10.
As the final bell rang and the night came to a close, it was clear that UFC’s return to Macau had been a massive success. The quality of the fights, the intensity of the crowd, and the overall energy of the event proved that Macau is ready to become a regular stop on the UFC’s global tour.