Jay Primetown gives his thoughts on each of the fighters who competed at UFC Fight Night 122 in Shanghai, China. Jay gives his letter grades for each fighter on TheMMA-Analysis podcast which can be found on MMAOddsbreaker.com.
Cyril Asker vs. Hu Yaozong
Asker: He utilized a grappling heavy approach taking Yaozong to the mat throughout the bout dominating his opponent on the mat. He took nearly no damage on the feet and can get back in the cage as quickly as he wants. Grade remains D-
Yaozong: He offered very little in this bout and seemed tire within the first round. He’s young, but doesn’t appear to have the skill set necessary to be able to fight in the UFC. Debut grade is F-
Wuliji Buren vs. Rolando Dy
Buren: With no power and a limited striking skill set, Buren set forth a grappling focused attack. He was able to secure a few takedowns in this bout, but couldn’t muster sustained offense losing a decision. Debut grade is F
Dy: He had some success with his boxing, knocking down his opponent in the opening round, but really struggles with the grappling aspects of the sport. He was taken down multiple times in this bout and if he faced an opponent with any semblance of striking ability would have lost this bout. Grade remains D-
Gina Mazany vs. Wu Yanan
Mazany: She had a high work rate in this bout and forced Yanan into a grappling focused fight where Mazany had an advantage. She secured takedowns in all three bouts to earn her first UFC win by decision. Grade remains D
Yanan: She hurt her shoulder in this bout, so it’s difficult to assess her true ability. She had some success early in this bout with her striking, but after that was out worked by a fighter with a higher motor. Debut grade is D-
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Chase Sherman
Abdurakhimov: He had been grappling focused thus far in his UFC career, but showed off his hands in this bout securing a first round knockout over Chase Sherman. Good win for the Russian heavyweight. Grade remains D+
Sherman: Disappointing performance for the American heavyweight as he had shown some durability early in his UFC career, but dropped a quick knockout loss in this one. He has struggled with accurate strikers in the UFC. Grade remains D
Bharat Kandare vs. Song Yadong
Kandare: Allowed his opponent to dictate the fight and was unable to land any significant strikes of value as he was outclassed by his opponent. Debut grade is F
Yadong: Impressive debut showing good foot work and an array of striking skills. His ability to follow up a knockdown with a front choke was a nice cherry on top of his first victory in the promotion. Debut grade is D
Kailin Curran vs. Yan Xioanan
Curran: She struggled with the striking arsenal of Xioanan. She had her most success pushing Xioanan against the cage and working a couple of takedowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough to earn a win. Grade remains D
Xioanan: She made an exciting debut landing some beautiful touches mixing it in with a focus on the lead leg. She defended takedowns decently in this bout to keep this bout standing for the most part throughout the fight to get the win. Upgraded from D to D+
Song Kenan vs. Bobby Nash
Kenan: A stunning debut for the Chinese welterweight as he floored Bobby Nash with an overhand right knocking out the American in the opening round. Debut grade is D
Nash: He’s now been finished in his last three UFC bouts. He has shown some offensive skills at time, but his inability to finish out fights will see him off the roster sooner rather than later. Downgraded from D to D-
Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Shaymon Moraes
Magomedsharipov: An absolutely dominant performance against a decent fighter. He dominated the grappling exchanges eventually securing an anaconda choke. He can compete against top 10 featherweights already. This fight was a good test and he passed it with flying colors. Upgraded from C+ to B
Moraes: There were high expectations for him in his debut, but he was outclassed by a rising contender that showed very few flaws. Moraes should do okay in his UFC career, but don’t look for him to be a future champion. Debut grade is C
Alex Garcia vs. Muslim Salikhov
Garcia: Perhaps his best performance inside the Octagon. He avoided the spinning attacks of his opponent and was able to take him to the mat to neutralize his striking. Upgraded from C- to C
Salikhov: He reminds me a bit of Uriah Hall. He can score some sensational knockouts, but if he doesn’t land that stunning strike he can be out grappled and neutralized on the mat. Downgraded from C to C-
Alex Caceres vs. Wang Guan
Caceres: He struggled with the power of his opponent as he was dropped multiple times in this bout. He had some moments in round three, but this was too little too late. Downgraded from C- to D+
Guan: Good size for the weight class as well as good power in his hands. He had Caceres in trouble throughout most of the fight. He deserved a finish, but had to settle for a decision. Debut grade is C-
Li Jingliang vs. Zak Ottow
Jingliang: The power in his hands was the difference in a fairly striking contest. He has much more power in his arsenal than his opponent and was able to drop him in the opening round and finish the fight. Upgraded from D+ to C-
Ottow: A poor performance from Ottow as he struggled with the power striking of his opponent. Downgraded from C- to D+
Michael Bisping vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Bisping: He was crazy to take a difficult fight like this on short notice and it cost him dearly. He was knocked clean by a beautiful combination. Expect the last fight of his career to take place in March in London. Downgraded from B to B-
Gastelum: This was a great opportunity for Gastelum to get a marquee win and he did so in spectacular fashion landing a beautiful combination and finishing Michael Bisping. It sets him up as a top contender. He may even get the next chance at Robert Whittaker down the line. Grade remains A-
