Tag: Yan Xiaonan

Yan Xiaonan squeaks out majority decision win over Mackenzie Dern in close battle – UFC Vegas 61 Highlights

Yan XiaonanReturning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since her third round bludgeoning at the hand of current undisputed strawweight champion, Carla Esparza, and a judging loss to Marina Rodriguez, Chinese contender, Yan Xiaonan manages to outlast Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu maestro, Mackenzie Dern over the course of five rounds — nabbing a close, majority decision […]

Yan Xiaonan

Returning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since her third round bludgeoning at the hand of current undisputed strawweight champion, Carla Esparza, and a judging loss to Marina Rodriguez, Chinese contender, Yan Xiaonan manages to outlast Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu maestro, Mackenzie Dern over the course of five rounds — nabbing a close, majority decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-47) victory in the main event of UFC Vegas 61.

Sidelined from the winning circle since dropping a ground strikes knockout loss to Esparza back in May of last year, to go with a split decision defeat against common-foe, Rodriguez back in March, Yan Xiaonan had yet to taste victory since a 2020 win over Claudia Gadelha.

As for Dern, the Jason Parillo product and RVCA trainee had returned to winning ways herself earlier this year with a close judging win over the veteran, Tecia Torres — after she saw her run of four straight wins stopped by Rodriguez.

Testing the grappling and in particular, the wrestling defense of Xiaonan throughout tonight’s 25 minute main event, Dern threatened on numerous occasions with a varied attack including rear-naked chokes, armbars, and event an omoplata, however, prior foundations laid by Xiaonan on the feet guided the Liaoning native to her seventh Octagon triumph.

Below, catch the highlights from Yan Xiaonan’s decision success against Mackenzie Dern

UFC – Belal Muhammad vs. Sean Brady, Mackenzie Dern vs. Yan Xiaonan Added To October Schedule

UFCTwo rather high-profile welterweight and strawweight pairings are set for the UFC’s upcoming schedule of fights in the month of October. Firstly, a matchup between the surging Chicago wrestling staple, Bella Muhammad, and the promotional-perfect Roufusport mainstay, Sean Brady has been added to a UFC 281 pay-per-view event on October 22. from the Etihad Arena […]

UFC

Two rather high-profile welterweight and strawweight pairings are set for the UFC’s upcoming schedule of fights in the month of October.

Firstly, a matchup between the surging Chicago wrestling staple, Bella Muhammad, and the promotional-perfect Roufusport mainstay, Sean Brady has been added to a UFC 281 pay-per-view event on October 22. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto was first to report the news of Muhammad’s return against Brady in October. 

The UFC books a high-stakes strawweight headliner to main event an October 1. event

As for the beginning of the month, a high-stakes, potential strawweight title-eliminator between Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Mackenzie Dern, and the Liaoning native, Yan Xiaonan is scheduled to headline a UFC Fight Night event on October 1. to kick off the month’s proceedings for the organization.

Confirming the headlining clash on their official Twitter account, Paradigm Sports Management confirmed Dern’s return against Xiaonan on October 1.

“It’s official. Mackenzie Dern and Yan Xiaonan will meet in a strawweight main event on October 1.” 

Enjoying an impressive three-fight winning run, Muhammad headlined UFC Vegas 51 back in April, earning the #5 rank in the official welterweight pile with a rematch, unanimous decision win over Vicente Luque.

In a pair of prior victories against former title challengers prior to avenging his win against Luque, Muhammad handed one-sided unanimous decision losses to both Stephen Thompson, and Demian Maia. 

As for Brady, the #9 ranked Philadelphia native boasts a 15-0 professional record, most recently besting Michael Chiesa with a unanimous decision triumph at UFC Vegas 43 last time out.

Calling for an interim title fight recently at the strawweight limit, Dern returned to winning ways after a loss to Marina Rodriguez, defeating division staple, Tecia Torres with a split judging success at UFC 273 back in April. 

For Xioanan, the Chinese contender is tasked with rebounding from a recent pair of losses to the aforenoted common-foe, Rodriguez, as well as a ground strikes knockout defeat to inaugural strawweight champion and current division titleholder, Carla Esparza. 

Yan Xiaonan Reveals What She Learned From Carla Esparza Defeat

Ahead of her next battle against Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan reflects on her recent defeat against Carla Esparza. Last May, Xiaonan saw her 11-fight win streak come to an end. The “Cookie Monster” devastated her in the cage with punches that ended the fight in round 2. Carla Esparza is a fierce opponent in the…

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Ahead of her next battle against Marina Rodriguez, Yan Xiaonan reflects on her recent defeat against Carla Esparza.

Last May, Xiaonan saw her 11-fight win streak come to an end. The “Cookie Monster” devastated her in the cage with punches that ended the fight in round 2.

Carla Esparza is a fierce opponent in the Octagon. Even the current strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, was finished by Esparza when they fought back in 2014.

Similar to Namajunas, Xiaonan felt the loss was a lesson and showed where improvements need to be made.

Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan
Carla Esparza and Yan Xiaonan, Photo Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“The biggest lesson is you have to be ready for a big fight like that. 100% ready. Another lesson is the direction—how you prepare for the fight. So, we had some problems on that in my last fight camp. So, yeah, everything, I learned a little bit of everything in that fight,” Xiaonan told LowKickMMA.

Most fighters will tell you that preparation for a fight is more important than the fight itself. You have to go into the ring mentally and physically fit enough to defeat your opponent.

A bad day can lead to a bad fight just as well as being undertrained. But losing can also be a humbling experience, and many fighters have come back stronger from it.

This Saturday, Xiaonan will face Brazil’s Marina Rodriguez at UFC 272. They hold spots in the top 5 of the strawweight rankings, and after their match, one will be much closer to the title shot.

What are your thoughts on how Yan Xiaonan reflects on her loss to Carla Esparza?

Continue Reading Yan Xiaonan Reveals What She Learned From Carla Esparza Defeat at MMA News.

Yan Xiaonan vs. Marina Rodriguez Booked For UFC 272 March 5

Top-5 strawweights Marina Rodriguez and Yan Xiaonan are scheduled to compete on March 5.

As first reported by MMA DNA, this high-level strawweight bout between Rodriguez and Xiaonan will take place at UFC 272. There is currently no main event annou…

Yan Xiaonan, Marina Rodriguez

Top-5 strawweights Marina Rodriguez and Yan Xiaonan are scheduled to compete on March 5.

As first reported by MMA DNA, this high-level strawweight bout between Rodriguez and Xiaonan will take place at UFC 272. There is currently no main event announced for this card, but the location has been determined to be the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marina Rodriguez may very well be one fight away from securing a title shot seeing as how she is currently riding a three-fight win streak, with wins over Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson, and Mackenzie Dern. Her last victory over Dern took home Fight of the Night.

To further support the notion of Rodriguez potentially earning a title shot with a win here is the fact that the only two fighters currently ahead of her in the rankings are Carla Esparza (#2) and Zhang Weili (#1). Esparza is currently next in line to challenge Rose Namajunas, while Zhang has already lost twice to Namajunas this year.

Yan Xiaonan was in a familiar position heading into the year. She was undefeated in the UFC and unbeaten in her last 12 fights. However, she would come up short against the grappling-heavy Carla Esparza at UFC Fight Night: Garbrandt vs. Font.

Now, Xiaonan will have an opportunity to put on a show in this high-level striking affair against fellow trader Marina Rodriguez. With a big win here, the #4-ranked Xiaonan may very well still be live for a title-shot opportunity herself.

With the addition of this bout, the current lineup for UFC 272 is as follows:

Marina Rodriguez vs. Yan Xiaonan

Edson Barboza vs. Bryce Mitchell

Jessica Eye vs. Manon Fiorot

Maryna Moroz vs. Mariya Agapova

Micha? Oleksiejczuk vs. Dustin Jacoby

Tim Elliott vs. Tagir Ulanbeko

Who is your pick to win this crucial strawweight bout between Marina Rodriguez and Yan Xiaonan?

Continue Reading Yan Xiaonan vs. Marina Rodriguez Booked For UFC 272 March 5 at MMA News.

Amanda Ribas Is Looking For a Fight With Yan Xiaonan

Amanda Ribas is playing matchmaker for herself.

Instead of waiting on the sideline, UFC strawweight contender Amanda Ribas is actively seeking her next opponent. Ribas is coming off a win just one week ago in Abu Dhabi and is looking for a quick t…

Yan Xiaonan Amanda Ribas

Amanda Ribas is playing matchmaker for herself.

Instead of waiting on the sideline, UFC strawweight contender Amanda Ribas is actively seeking her next opponent. Ribas is coming off a win just one week ago in Abu Dhabi and is looking for a quick turnaround. She was taken to Twitter to call out Yan Xiaonan.

“Heyy @yanxiaonan!!! I was thinking..almost all fighters in our
weight division have a scheduled fight or something,” Ribas wrote on Twitter. “How about schedule ours too?! think it would be a GREAAT fight.”

Ribas has a happy and bubbly personality and that even comes across in her call-outs. There isn’t going to be much drama involved if these two meet in the Octagon, but there could be some fireworks. Ribas is currently ranked number ten in the division but has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with at 115 pounds. She has won 5 of her six fights in the UFC.

This isn’t the first time Ribas has called for a bout with Xiaonan. She was looking for Xiaonan back in June before she was matched up with Virna Jandiroba in July. Xiaonan has been in the move up herself. She is coming off a loss to Carla Esparza who could be next for the title shot. Before that she six wins in a row, all decisions.

However, just because Ribas is asking doesn’t mean that Xiaonan has to accept. She is sitting in the number four spot and could be looking at higher-ranked opponents. The thing Ribas has going for her is star power. She is a fan favorite and is often in the spotlight and has been featured on three main cards, twice on pay-per-views.

Do you want to see Yan Xiaonan take on Amanda Ribas on a future UFC card?

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Amanda Ribas Calls Out Xiaonan Yan For A Fight

With both athletes coming off a loss, Amanda Ribas is calling on Xiaonan Yan to take a fight with her following the Chinese contender’s loss to Carla Esparza last month. The #11-ranked strawweight Amanda Ribas is ready to return to the Octagon af…

With both athletes coming off a loss, Amanda Ribas is calling on Xiaonan Yan to take a fight with her following the Chinese contender’s loss to Carla Esparza last month. The #11-ranked strawweight Amanda Ribas is ready to return to the Octagon after her last fight against Marina Rodriguez ended in a second-round TKO. Despite […]

Continue Reading Amanda Ribas Calls Out Xiaonan Yan For A Fight at MMA News.