UFC flyweight prospect Wang Cong is keeping her head high after a disappointing and surprising defeat on home soil this past weekend.
Wang, a former world champion in sanda and ex-Kunlun Fight titleholder, announced her arrival on MMA’s biggest stage in a major way this past August following success on Road to UFC.
“The Joker” violently knocked out Victoria Leonardo on debut, and her previous kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko led to talk of a quick rise up the ladder at 125 pounds.
That script, however, was emphatically ripped up by Gabriella Fernandes, who headed to enemy territory to face Wang as a significant underdog on the main card of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night in Macau.
The Brazilian executed a memorable club-and-sub finish in round two, dealing a blow to the hype behind Wang and the perception of her chances of success inside the Octagon.
As if often the case when newcomers lose for the first time in the UFC, the defeat to Fernandes caused cries of “fraud checked” from some in the MMA community online. Wang, however, will not be deterred.
“Thanks for those who came out on Saturday night and fans supported me,” Wang wrote on Instagram. “This is the fight game, one mistake can cost you the match. But I’m good, no injuries and in good spirit. I still believe I’m the one 
without doubt. I will come back soon @ufc . Also congratulation @gabriella_tko , thank you for taking the fight. Hope you enjoy the China trip.
#ufcmacau“
It remains to be seen what will come next for Wang, but the charismatic Chinese fighter will look to immediately return to winning ways when she makes the walk for the first time in 2025.