PunchDrunkGamer.com - UFC, MMA, Kickboxing, Glory, Xbox One, Video Games, PS4, PC and Entertainment Forums

The UFC Returns to Macao, China for UFC Fight Night Macao: Bisping vs Le


Cementing a commitment to the burgeoning MMA scene in Asia and with Sands China Ltd., The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Cotai Arena in Macao for a second time in 2014, and third overall, on Saturday, August 23 with UFC Fight Night Macao: Bisping vs. Le.

Headlined by Vietnamese born Cung Le (9-2, fighting out of San Jose, California), the former Strikeforce middleweight champion and legend of combat sports returns to the Octagon for the first time since a dominant knockout of Rich Franklin in the same arena in 2012. After a successful stint coaching and teaching on The Ultimate Fighter China, Le looks to use his impressive arsenal of wrestling, Tae-Kwon-Do, Kung Fu and Sanshou in laying claim to the title of most entertaining fighter of his generation.

Standing in the way will be formidable UFC veteran and The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 champion Michael “The Count” Bisping (25-6, fighting out of Orange County, California by way of Manchester, England). A polarizing figure to fans, no one can dispute Bisping’s skills as he’s racked up three Fight of the Night bonuses and eight TKO victories in his long UFC career. With notable wins over Alan Belcher, Brian Stann and Chris Leben, the one thing that has eluded Bisping has been the UFC belt and a win over Cung Le would show the middleweight division that Bisping is ready to make one more title run.

“We’re excited to announce our return to Macao and the Cotai Arena, a venue that has seen incredible UFC performances over the last two years,” said Mark Fischer, UFC Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Asia. “Sands China Ltd. has proven to be an exceptional partner and visionary in helping us grow the sport of MMA and the UFC brand in South East Asia.”

In addition to the Bisping-Le showdown, two surging welterweights will meet in Macao when the division’s ninth-ranked competitor and Korean born Dong Hyun Kim (19-2-1, 1NC, fighting out of Busan, South Korea) meets the explosive seventh-ranked Hector Lombard (34-4-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.), who has taken the 170lb. class by storm. Kim, who most recently overwhelmed John Hathaway by KO at the Cotai Arena in March, will look to build on his resume as one of the most accomplished Asian fighters in the UFC with a win over former Judo world champion Lombard.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the Cotai Arena in Macao on August 23 with a middleweight showdown pitting two of the division’s elite against one another as No. 8-ranked Michael “The Count” Bisping takes on former Strikeforce champion, Cung Le. With contrasting styles and 26 finishes between them, this bout has the potential to be a classic.

Mark Fischer, executive vice president & managing director, UFC Asia, said: "Asia has always been a focal point in the UFC’s continued global expansion. Over the past few years, the UFC has grown tremendously in Asia, with Asia now representing nearly half of the UFC’s global TV footprint, reaching 448 million households and more than 1.5 billion individuals. Through our strategic partnership with Sands China, we have been able to produce The Ultimate Fighter locally, which had over 115 million viewers in its debut season and has been responsible for cultivating local talent and future UFC stars.”

Fischer added: “We are thrilled to be back at the Venetian Macao with a great fight card featuring world famous MMA fighters from South Korea, USA and the UK, as well as The Ultimate Fighter China featherweight finalists, who will battle to become the next Chinese UFC star."

Edward Tracy, president and chief executive officer of Sands China Ltd said: “Sands China Ltd is very pleased to continue our successful collaboration in our partnership with our third exciting UFC event.”

Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Tracy added: “We’ll continue to bring the world’s best entertainment – including the world’s top athletes – to Macao for the enjoyment of both visitors and locals. We’ve brought a range of martial arts events to Macao, including boxing, Muay Thai, and of course MMA with UFC. Action-packed events like UFC Fight Night Macao are an important part of our multi-tiered entertainment strategy, which seeks to raise Macao’s global profile as a world centre of tourism and leisure and as a regional hub for entertainment.”

Vietnamese born Le (9-2 in his professional mixed martial arts career, fighting out of San Jose, California), makes his return to the Octagon after a two-year hiatus that saw him serve as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter China, the organization’s long running reality series, as well as further his action movie career. In his return to the Cotai arena, the scene of his highlight reel knockout of Rich Franklin, Le will look to build on his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in combat sports history when he meets Manchester, England’s Bisping (24-6, fighting out of Orange County, California) in the Octagon.

The Briton is consistently on the verge of title contention and a win over Le would mark his first victory over a former champion, ensuring his name stays in contention with the division’s best.

In the co-main event, the hard-hitting No. 4-ranked welterweight, Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (13-3-0) - who boasts wins over top names such as former UFC champion Carlos Condit, Josh Koscheck, Paul Daley and Tarec Saffiedine -faces off with the surging No.9 ranked Dong Hyun Kim (19-2-1, 1 no contest, fighting out of Busan, South Korea).

The 170lbs clash has major UFC world title implications. “Stun Gun” has a ton of momentum after crushing victories over John Hathaway and a knockout of the night performance against Erick Silva, while Woodley is potentially one huge win away from a shot at UFC gold. Both fighters will be looking to cement their place amongst the division’s elite in this three-round bout.

Also on the stacked card, Yang Jianping (7-3-1) and Ning Guangyou (4-2-1) will also take to the Octagon to decide who will be become the featherweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter China and win the coveted UFC contract.

Here is the final card for UFC Fight Night Macao: Bisping vs Le:


UFC Fight Night Macao: Bisping vs Le
August 23, 2014
Cotai Arena
Macao, China


MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 9:00 AM EST):

Michael Bisping vs. Cung Le
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Tyron Woodley
Zhang Lipeng vs. Brendan O’Reilly
Ning Guangyou vs. Jianping Yang – TUF China featherweight tourney final


PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 AM EST):

Danny Mitchell vs. Wang Sai
Alberto Mina vs. Sheldon Westcott
Roland Delorme vs. Yuta Sasaki
Wang Anying vs. Colby Covington
Milana Dudieva vs. Elizabeth Phillips
Royston Wee vs. Yao Zhikui