Long Xiao
China
Repeated fouls lead to defeat
Xiao lost to Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision (27-28, 27-28, 27-28) at UFC 326 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Actually, Xiao won 29-28 on all three scorecards but his own foolishness resulted in a crushing defeat. Xiao was the better, more effective man the entire fight. He landed a ton of low kicks which left Garbrandt hobbled and connected on no fewer than two massive head kicks. The fight turned early in Round 3, however, after Xiao was (correctly) docked two points by referee Herb Dean for back-to-back illegal low blows. Of course, there's a case to be made Xiao won all three rounds and should have taken a 28-27 decision, but that's another story entirely. As is, he gave this fight away.
Actually, Xiao won 29-28 on all three scorecards but his own foolishness resulted in a crushing defeat. Xiao was the better, more effective man the entire fight. He landed a ton of low kicks which left Garbrandt hobbled and connected on no fewer than two massive head kicks. The fight turned early in Round 3, however, after Xiao was (correctly) docked two points by referee Herb Dean for back-to-back illegal low blows. Of course, there's a case to be made Xiao won all three rounds and should have taken a 28-27 decision, but that's another story entirely. As is, he gave this fight away.
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Loses despite better striking numbers
Xiao lost to Su Young You via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Shanghai on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Xiao could have very well deserved a better fate here, as a case could be made for him in each of the three rounds, especially Round 3, when he out-landed You in a significant strikes by a count of 41-to-23. In the end, it was a bit surprising to see all three judges score it for You, especially in Xiao's home country. After getting his shot via Road to the UFC, Xiao has now dropped two of three official UFC bouts, both via decision. He'll likely need to up the aggressiveness out of the gates moving forward if he's going to turn things around.
Xiao could have very well deserved a better fate here, as a case could be made for him in each of the three rounds, especially Round 3, when he out-landed You in a significant strikes by a count of 41-to-23. In the end, it was a bit surprising to see all three judges score it for You, especially in Xiao's home country. After getting his shot via Road to the UFC, Xiao has now dropped two of three official UFC bouts, both via decision. He'll likely need to up the aggressiveness out of the gates moving forward if he's going to turn things around.
Next fight scheduled
Xiao is scheduled to compete against Su Young You in a bantamweight fight at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 23, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Xiao will have a second opportunity to defeat a Korean in the UFC. The former's promotion debut saw him lose to Chang Ho Lee. However, Xiao's last fight saw him knock out Quang Le.
Xiao will have a second opportunity to defeat a Korean in the UFC. The former's promotion debut saw him lose to Chang Ho Lee. However, Xiao's last fight saw him knock out Quang Le.
Emphatic first UFC victory
Long defeated Quang Le via KO (punch) at 1:28 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.
ANALYSIS
A loser to Chang Ho Lee via split decision in his official UFC debut in June, Long got in the win column here and did so in emphatic fashion. He was up two rounds on three scorecards at the time of the stoppage, so he was going to win anyway, but Long took things out of the judges hands after crushing Le with a right hand which knocked his opponent out in an instant. It was a beautiful shot from a guy more known for his grappling game than power. The win means Long's roster spot is plenty secure for the time being.
A loser to Chang Ho Lee via split decision in his official UFC debut in June, Long got in the win column here and did so in emphatic fashion. He was up two rounds on three scorecards at the time of the stoppage, so he was going to win anyway, but Long took things out of the judges hands after crushing Le with a right hand which knocked his opponent out in an instant. It was a beautiful shot from a guy more known for his grappling game than power. The win means Long's roster spot is plenty secure for the time being.
Fighting Nov. 23rd
Xiao is slated to fight Quang Le in a bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 248 on Nov. 23rd, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Xiao will return to the octagon after losing his last fight against Chang Ho Lee via split decision. The 26-year-old holds a record of 26-8-0, and he has won two of his last three contests. Xiao comes into the fight with a two-inch height advantage, and both fighters boast a 70-inch reach.
Xiao will return to the octagon after losing his last fight against Chang Ho Lee via split decision. The 26-year-old holds a record of 26-8-0, and he has won two of his last three contests. Xiao comes into the fight with a two-inch height advantage, and both fighters boast a 70-inch reach.
Drops Road to UFC final
Long lost to Chang Ho Lee via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
This fight was the Road to UFC bantamweight final, and it was a razor-thin bout that could have gone either way. Long started quickly before his opponent managed to regain the momentum. The visuals for Long weren't great, as he ate far too many knees from Lee throughout the course of the fight. Long won't earn a UFC contract this evening, but he was plenty competitive in what was an entertaining fight, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him get the call in the future.
This fight was the Road to UFC bantamweight final, and it was a razor-thin bout that could have gone either way. Long started quickly before his opponent managed to regain the momentum. The visuals for Long weren't great, as he ate far too many knees from Lee throughout the course of the fight. Long won't earn a UFC contract this evening, but he was plenty competitive in what was an entertaining fight, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him get the call in the future.