Tag: Wang Cong

UFC 312 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Dricus Du Plessis, Zhang Weili lead with champ money

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out nearly $32 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 312 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $254,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 312 took place at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2/Disney+ and ESPN+.

The full UFC 312 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag]: $42,000
[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: $42,000
[autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Justin Tafa[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Tallison Teixeira[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jimmy Crute[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Rodolfo Bellato[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jake Matthews[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Fransisco Prado[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Gabriel Santos[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Jack Jenkins[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruna Brasil[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Aleksandre Topuria[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Colby Thicknesse[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Rong Zhu[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Kody Steele[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jonathan Micallef[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Jousset[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Quillan Salkilld[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Anshul Jubli[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $871,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $31,889,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 312.

Every UFC newcomer in 2024: Full list of over 100 debuting fighters

Check out the names and records of each fighter who made their UFC debut in 2024.

Every year, the UFC welcomes new faces to the promotion.

Some will become ranked fighters, future title challengers, and possibly champions. A couple of names have already made a significant impact in their debut year.

Kayla Harrison, who is ranked No. 2 by the promotion in the women’s bantamweight division, is likely next up for a title shot. Carlos Prates claimed No. 14 in the welterweight division after ripping through four opponents.

On the flip side, unfortunately, some of the names will fizzle out and look to continue their careers in other promotions.

In 2024, the new names and faces reached triple digits, totaling 103. Those fighters went 46-57. Debuting fighters who faced an opponent with at least one bout of UFC experience went 29-39.

Check out the full list of debuting fighters and their records below:

UFC debuting fighters in 2024

  • [autotag]Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]AJ Cunningham[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag] (9-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Andre Lima[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Angel Pacheco[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Antonio Trocoli[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Baergeng Jieleyisi[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bekzat Almakhan[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bernardo Sopaj[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Bolaji Oki[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Brendson Ribeiro[/autotag] (16-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cameron Smotherman[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carli Judice[/autotag] (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Prates[/autotag] (21-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cesar Almeida[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Changho Lee[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Charalampos Grigoriou[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Chris Padilla[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cody Haddon[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Connor Matthews[/autotag] (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Cortavious Romious[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Barlow[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Danny Silva[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dariya Zheleznykova[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dione Barbosa[/autotag] (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]DongHun Choi[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Dylan Budka[/autotag] (7-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ernesta Kareckaite[/autotag] (5-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Bunes[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Felipe Lima[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Feng Xiaocan[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Hyder Amil[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Igor Severino[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ivan Erslan[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]James Llontop[/autotag] (14-5 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Matsumoto[/autotag] (16-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jean Silva[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jhonata Diniz[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jordan Vucenic[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Medina[/autotag] (11-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Jose Ochoa[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Julia Polastri[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kaan Ofli[/autotag] (11-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Kiru Sahota[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Klaudia Sygula[/autotag] (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Lucas Rocha[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Luis Pajuelo[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Magomed Gadzhiyasulov[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag] (14-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]MarQuel Mederos[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Ramirez[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Mitch Raposo[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nathan Fletcher[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Navajo Stirling[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nikolay Veretennikov[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Nyamjargal Tumendemberel[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Oumor Sy[/autotag] (11-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Pedro Falcao[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Puja Tomar[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag] (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramazan Temirov[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ramon Taveras[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Rei Tsuruya[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Reinier de Ridder[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robelis Despaigne[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Bryczek[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Robert Valentin[/autotag] (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Roberto Romero[/autotag] (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ronaldo Rodriguez[/autotag] (17-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Ryan Loder[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Sean Sharaf[/autotag] (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Serhiy Sidey[/autotag] (11-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Shi Ming[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stephanie Luciano[/autotag] (6-1-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Steven Nguyen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Stewart Nicoll[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]SuYoung You[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Thomas Petersen[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Timmy Cuamba[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tom Nolan[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Tuco Tokkos[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Valter Walker[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Vinicius Oliveira[/autotag] (21-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Xiao Long[/autotag] (27-9 MMA, 1-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Yi Zha[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zachary Scroggin[/autotag] (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag] (18-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC)
  • [autotag]Zygimantas Ramaska[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

Wang Cong reacts to big upset loss to Gabriella Fernandes at UFC Macau: ‘I still believe I’m the one’

Wang Cong won’t be deterred after suffering her first-career loss at UFC Fight Night 248.

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] won’t be deterred after suffering her first-career loss at UFC Fight Night 248.

[autotag]Gabriella Fernandes[/autotag](10-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was a whopping +750 underdog when she dropped and submitted Cong (6-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the second round of Saturday’s flyweight bout at Galaxy Arena in Macau, China.

Fernandes cashed in as one of the biggest underdogs in UFC history, which left many stunned. However, Cong remains positive that she will bounce back. The 32-year-old Chinese fighter released a statement on Instagram to address her loss.

“Thanks for those who came out on Saturday night and fans supported me. 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.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/DCyEIadJXSc/?igsh=MWlqbzg2dTNsdHRiNQ%3D%3D

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

UFC Fight Night 248 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Deiveson Figueiredo’s $16,000 leads way

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out $30 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

MACAU – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 248 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $160,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 248 took place at Galaxy Arena. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 248 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Muslim Salikhov[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Song Kenan[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Gabriella Fernandes[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Zhang Mingyang[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Su Young You[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Balgyn Jenisuly[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Dong Hoon Choi[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kiru Sahota[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ming Shi[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Xiaocan Feng[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Carlos Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Nyamjargal Tumendemberel[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jose Ochoa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Xiao Long[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Quang Le[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nikolas Motta[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Hayisaer Maheshate[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2481 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $7,703,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $30,440,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes prediction, pick, start time for UFC Fight Night 248

Will former Valentina Shevchenko kickboxing foe Wang Cong add to her highlight reel at UFC Macau against Gabriella Fernandes?

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] and [autotag]Gabriella Fernandes[/autotag] meet Saturday on the UFC Fight Night 248 main card at Galaxy Arena in Macau. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 4-1
UFC main cards, 2024: 99-90-3

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes UFC Fight Night 248 preview

Chinese kickboxer Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is undefeated in her young MMA career. In August, she made her UFC debut in impressive fashion by knocking out Victoria Leonardo in 62 seconds. … Fernandes (9-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) struggled in her first two UFC bouts, but got back on track in her first fight of the year. In June, she defeated Carli Judice by split decision.

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes UFC Fight Night 248 expert pick, prediction

Filling out the main card in Macau is a flyweight affair between Cong and Fernandes.

Despite both fighters listing themselves as southpaws, Wang likes to operate out of an orthodox stance. And though Wang doesn’t own any wins over notable southpaws in MMA, the Chinese fighter does own a win over the current flyweight champ, Valentina Shevchenko, in kickboxing.

In that fight, which was a kickboxing bout that didn’t allow for clinching or elbows, Cong was able to clearly frustrate Shevchenko by taking her out of her comfort zone through pressure and volume.

Regardless of her opponent’s stance, Wang has a penchant for attacking the lead leg with multiple range-finding attacks (either muay Thai or Sanda stylings) and following up with well-placed punches.

Fernandes, on the other hand, is a strong southpaw striker with a boxing and taekwondo background. Fernandes mainly attacks off her left side and is not afraid to make things dirty by engaging in the clinch.

I suspect that Fernandes will be trying to do the latter after feeling the speed difference from Wang, but I’m not sure it’ll be enough to contain the fighter from China.

A finish wouldn’t shock me, but I’ll officially pick Wang to showcase more of her skills in a fairly one-sided decision win.

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes UFC Fight Night 248 odds

The oddsmakers and the public are heavily favoring the Chinese fighter, listing Wang -900 and Fernandes +520 via FanDuel.

Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes UFC Fight Night 248 start time, how to watch

As the co-main event, Cong and Fernandes are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 7:10 a.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 248.

UFC Macau adds Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg, return of Wang Cong

The upcoming UFC Fight Night 248 event in Macau on Nov. 23 is filling out with the addition of multiple matchups.

UFC has announced multiple fights for its upcoming event in Macau.

UFC Fight Night 248 takes place Nov. 23 at Galaxy Arena in Macau, featuring a big bantamweight matchup between former 135-pound champion [autotag]Petr Yan[/autotag] and former flyweight champ [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag].

Wednesday, the promotion officially announced multiple new fights on social media for the return event to China.

A UFC-ranked top 10 matchup in the women’s strawweight division has been added. Former title challenger [autotag]Yan Xiaonan[/autotag] will face [autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag].

Xiaonan (17-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) returns to action for the first time since her title challenge loss against Zhang Weili at UFC 300. Ricci (11-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) enters on a two-fight winning streak, fresh off a unanimous decision win over Angela Hill at UFC on ESPN 62.

Another UFC-ranked top 10 bout is also on the card, this one in the light heavyweight division, between former title challenger [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag].

Oezdemir (20-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) is on a two-fight winning streak, both by way of early stoppage. His last performance was a devastating knockout of Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 6. Ulberg (10-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was a part of the UFC 303 fight shuffle, but was unable to compete. He will now enter his second fight of the year after a 12-second knockout of Alonzo Menifield.

In addition, Wang Cong will compete in her second UFC bout, taking on Gabriella Fernandes.

Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made waves in her promotional debut by flattening Victoria Leonardo in the first round. “The Joker” holds a kickboxing win over current UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

With the additions, the current UFC Fight Night 248 lineup includes:

  • Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
  • Yan Xiaonan vs. Tabatha Ricci
  • Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg
  • Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Jose Ochoa
  • Carlos Hernandez vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel
  • Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes
  • Ozzy Diaz vs. Zhang Mingyang
  • Xiaocan Feng vs. Ming Shi – “Road to UFC” strawweight final
  • Dong Hoon Choi vs. Kiru Sahota – “Road to UFC” flyweight final
  • Balgyn Jenisuly vs. Su Young You – “Road to UFC” bantamweight final
  • Bin Xie vs. Kangjie Zhu – “Road to UFC” featherweight final

Valentina Shevchenko reacts to Wang Cong saying she’d beat her in the UFC, too

Wang Cong defeated Valentina Shevchenko in kickboxing in 2015.

[autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] laughed off [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag]’s claim that she would also beat her in the octagon.

In October 2015, two months before making her UFC debut, Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 13-2-1 UFC) lost her final kickboxing bout to Cong by unanimous decision in the Beijing-based Kunlun Fight promotion.

Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) had just made her way to the UFC, scoring a 62-second one-punch knockout of Victoria Leonardo in her promotional debut at UFC on ESPN 62.

After her win, Cong claimed that she’d beat Shevchenko in a UFC fight.

“That was so funny,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie on Cong. “The promotion that we fought (in), it was in China, and if you would’ve seen the judges back there in China, in that promotion, the judge of my second fight with Alexa would be an angel. To win in that promotion in China, you have to not only knock out your opponent, you have to make sure that she’ll lay down for 30 minutes.

“All muay Thai fighters who fought in China back then would say the same. Even after the fight, I posted a video of our fight on YouTube, and it was a crazy amount of comments saying, ‘What are the judges looking at? Are they there?’ But then the organization filed a claim against this video because of privacy.”

Shevchenko faces flyweight champion Alexa Grasso in a trilogy bout, which co-headlines UFC 306 Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas. She thinks it’s too early to praise Cong.

“Yeah, maybe she had a knockout, but it’s very hard to say when it’s your first fight against – I don’t know who was her opponent, I never heard of her,” Shevchenko said. “Let’s see (what) she’s going to claim and if she will have the same power against top 10 opponents. Let’s see it happening.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Wang Cong full kickboxing fight video

Watch Wang Cong score a unanimous decision win over Valentina Shevchenko in a kickboxing match in 2015.

[autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] put herself on the MMA map over the weekend by knocking out Victoria Leonardo with one right hand in her official promotional debut at UFC on ESPN 62.

The devastating finish in 62 seconds caught the attention of Dana White and instantly created buzz around Cong, 32, a highly touted Chinese flyweight who entered the UFC after a Road to UFC showcase bout and also with a feather in her cap as she owns a victory over former UFC champ [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] in kickboxing.

After her UFC on ESPN 62 win, Cong confidently declared that she’d beat Shevchenko in a UFC fight, too, making this a perfect time to revisit their first encounter.

On Oct. 31, 2015, Cong scored a three-round unanimous decision win over Shevchenko in the Beijing-based Kunlun Fight promotion. It was the final kickboxing match for Shevchenko before making her UFC debut less than two months later.

You can watch the full fight in the video above.

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Dana White grants Wang Cong’s request for $50K bonus: ‘You looked AMAZING’

Wang Cong was initally snubbed on the UFC on ESPN 62 bonuses, but UFC CEO Dana White fixed that Sunday evening.

UFC newcomer [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] will get her first bonus after all.

After impressing on Road to UFC, Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) debuted at UFC on ESPN 62 in the first fight of the night against Victoria Leonardo. The women’s flyweight bout didn’t last long.

China’s Cong crushed Leonardo (9-6 MMA, 1-4 UFC) with a devastating punch, ending the fight with a walkoff knockout in 62 seconds. Not only did Cong impress with her skills in the cage, but she also stood out on the mic, stating she had no business being the first fight of the night but instead deserves a spot on the main card.

That’s not to forget that “The Joker” made waves on social media with her faceoff at weigh-ins. She wore Joker-themed facepaint and told Leonardo in English, “I will win. I’m crazy.” She then hand-mimed three shots at her opponent before walking off.

Speaking of bullets, she has a win over former UFC flyweight champion Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko in kickboxing, too.

Cong ticked all necessary boxes in her debut, but was snubbed when bonuses were announced.

“Wake up and find out there is no POTN,” Cong wrote on Instagram. “Next fight you will see more spectacular finish @ufc. Don’t play with Joker again!”

UFC CEO Dana White was not present for UFC on ESPN 62, as he has often skipped attending shows at the UFC Apex this year. However, he says he did see Cong’s fight and sent her a reply she was delighted to read.

“I was out of town and watch the fight @mystiqueboston on TV,” White replied on Instagram. “You looked AMAZING. I’m adding another PON bonus for u. Congrats u get 50k.”

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“I love you Dana,” Cong replied with multiple heart-eyed emojis.

One fight down, one bonus for “The Joker,” who is certainly someone to keep an eye on going forward.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.

Wang Cong confident she’d beat Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC – like she did in kickboxing

Does the UFC have a budding star on their hands with Wang Cong?

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Wang Cong[/autotag] arrived in style during UFC on ESPN 62 fight week – from her faceoff dressed as the “Joker” to her 62-second one-punch knockout of Victoria Leonardo.

Though she only holds a half-dozen fights-worth of MMA experience, Cong (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has a hefty resume of combat sports bouts. That includes a 2015 kickboxing victory over [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-4-1 MMA, 13-2-1 UFC).

Should they ever meet in the UFC, Cong thinks something similar will transpire.

“You guys only know I beat Shevchenko in kickboxing,” Cong told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “But you don’t know I’m a sambo world champion, a boxing world champion, and a kickboxing world champion. I think comparing Valentina Shevchenko to me is that she has more experience. But I took some time to compete in boxing. I believe my striking is better than her. … If she takes the fight, (I can beat her) any time.”

Shevchenko competes Sept. 14 in a title challenge vs. Alexa Grasso in the UFC 306 co-main event, so Cong likely has a way to go before a rematch occurs. In the meantime, Cong has faith in her past opponent.

“I believe she can take the fight to (Grasso) again,” Cong said. “Because we competed in kickboxing, I know how good she is, and I believe in her (to win at UFC 306).”

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Following her victory Saturday, she called for a fight vs. Casey O’Neill as her next potential outing. O’Neill (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defeated Luana Santos at UFC 305 on Aug. 17, but was handed a 180-day medical suspension by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission. The extent of the injury or whether or not it was precautionary is not yet known.

But for Cong, the callout was more about where (in the rankings) and not who.

“I just looked at the rankings board and think it’s a good fight,” Cong said. “I just want to jump in the rankings and get my title shot.”

Regardless of who or when or where is next for her, Cong radiates confidence, as she without hesitation called herself the best female flyweight boxer in the UFC.

“I didn’t take a close look for the whole division,” Cong said. “But myself, I’m very confident because I don’t care about others. I believe I’m the best.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.