LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It’s better to be safe than sorry …
Following UFC Vegas 97 tonight (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024) in Las Vegas, Nevada, company officials confirmed to MMAMania.com that Rongzhu was transported to the local hospital following his fight for a precautionary scan of his face. His manager confirmed to MMAMania.com that Rongzhu suffered multiple fractures, and “he still cannot open his eye.”
Rongzhu’s eye got destroyed from a brutal elbow in the second of his fight with Chris Padilla in the UFC Vegas 97 “Prelims” headliner.
Check out the elbow below:
Chris Padilla’s elbow on Rongzhu pic.twitter.com/aZkjYPtzkL
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) September 7, 2024
Unfortunately, Rongzhu’s return to the UFC did not go well, and his four-fight win streak was snapped.
The 24-year-old Chinese fighter was released in 2022 after going 1-2 in the promotion. He returned to the regional scene and scored a finish at UAE Warriors 34. He then got the invitation to compete in the Road To UFC tournament, where he went undefeated (3-0) to secure a new UFC contract.
Stick with MMAMania.com for health-related updates moving forward and if Rongzhu decides to release a photo of the aftermath.
For complete UFC Vegas 97 results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.