Rong Zhu

Rong Zhu (ch: 茸主;[3] born March 7, 2000) is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Rong Zhu
Born (2000-03-07) March 7, 2000
Heishui County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China
Other namesLittle Yama
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Reach71.0 in (180 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofAba, Sichuan, China
TeamEnbo Fight Club
American Top Team[2]
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins24
By knockout15
By submission5
By decision3
By disqualification1
Losses5
By submission4
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Of Tibetan descent, as early as the age of 12, Rong began to practice Sanda. After three years of hard training, he did not achieve excellent results, realizing that this path might not be suitable for him, Zhu decided to switch sports and after seeing MMA on TV, and was instantly attracted by the sport. Later, after being introduced by his uncle, Zhu started training at Enbo Fight Club as an assistant and sparring partner for Su Mudaerji, where his duties included tasks such as carrying towels and water.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Having his first pro fight just days after his 16th birthday in 2016, Rong compiled a 17–3 record on the Chinese regional scene, most off it with the promotion WLF, where he captured the Lightweight title and defended it three times.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rong made his UFC debut against Kazula Vargas at UFC 261 on April 24, 2021.[6] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[7]

For his second fight in the UFC, Rong was initially scheduled to face Dakota Bush on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann.[8] However, Bush tested positive for COVID-19 during fight week and was replaced by Brandon Jenkins.[9] At the weigh-ins, Rong weighed in at 158 pounds, two pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and he forfeited 20% of his purse to his opponent.[10] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[11]

Rong faced Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green on February 26, 2022.[12] At the weigh-ins, Rong weighed in at 160 pounds, 4 pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. It was the second straight fight in which he had missed weight. His bout proceeded at a catchweight and he was fined 40% of his purse, which went to Bahamondes.[13] He lost the bout via third round submission.[14]

In May 2022, it was reported that Rong was released by the UFC.[15]

Post UFC

In his first appearance post-release, Rong faced Felipe Maia on October 20, 2022, at UAE Warriors 34. He won the bout via TKO in the second round.[16]

Rong entered the Road to UFC tournament and faced Hong Seong-chan in the Lightweight Quarter-final on May 28, 2023 at Road to UFC Season 2: Episode 3, defeating him via first round TKO stoppage.[17]

In the Semifinals, Rong faced Kim Sang-wook on August 27, 2023 at Road to UFC Season 2: Episode 6, winning the bout via unanimous decision.[18]

Championships and accomplishments
  • Wu Lin Feng
    • WLF Lightweight Championship (One time)
      • Three successful title defenses

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
29 matches 24 wins 5 losses
By knockout 15 0
By submission 5 4
By decision 3 1
By disqualification 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 24–5 Kim Sang-wook Decision (unanimous) Road to UFC Season 2: Episode 6 August 27, 2023 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore Road to UFC Season 2 Lightweight Semifinal.
Win 23–5 Hong Seong-chan TKO (punches) Road to UFC Season 2: Episode 3 May 28, 2023 1 2:17 Shanghai, China Road to UFC Season 2 Lightweight Quarterfinal.
Win 22–5 Felipe Maia TKO (punches) UAE Warriors 34 October 20, 2022 2 1:59 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Catchweight (161 lb) bout.
Loss 21–5 Ignacio Bahamondes Submission (brabo choke) UFC Fight Night: Makhachev vs. Green February 26, 2022 3 1:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout; Rong missed weight.
Win 21–4 Brandon Jenkins TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann September 18, 2021 3 4:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (158 lb) bout; Rong missed weight.
Loss 20–4 Kazula Vargas Decision (unanimous) UFC 261 April 24, 2021 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win 20–3 Deliya Bi TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 50 January 14, 2021 3 4:16 Zhengzhou, China Defended the WLF Lightweight Championship.
Win 19–3 Shayilan Nuerdanbieke KO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 47 September 25, 2020 1 2:05 Zhengzhou, China Defended the WLF Lightweight Championship.
Win 18–3 Jiaqiang Han Submission (arm-triangle choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 46 August 21, 2020 1 2:01 Zhengzhou, China
Win 17–3 Huwanixi Wusikenbieke KO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 43 May 22, 2020 1 1:47 Zhengzhou, China
Win 16–3 Alisson Barbosa Decision (unanimous) WLF W.A.R.S. 39 October 18, 2019 5 5:00 Zhengzhou, China Defended the WLF Lightweight Championship.
Win 15–3 Mohsen Mohammadseifi KO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 35 June 14, 2019 1 2:50 Zhengzhou, China
Win 14–3 Marcio Andrade Submission (rear-naked choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 31 January 3, 2019 5 3:49 Zhengzhou, China Won the WLF Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–3 Nikoloz Kajaia Submission (guillotine choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 27 September 14, 2018 2 3:47 Zhengzhou, China
Win 12–3 Arben Escayo TKO (injury) ABA Fighting Championship: Hongyuan August 2, 2018 1 1:39 Hongyuan County, China
Win 11–3 Aleko Sagliani TKO (retirement) WLF W.A.R.S. 25 June 27, 2018 2 2:55 Zhengzhou, China
Win 10–3 Arsen Balyants TKO (elbows and punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 23 April 14, 2018 3 0:55 Zhengzhou, China
Loss 9–3 Guilherme Cadena Submission (triangle choke) WLF W.A.R.S. 21 January 13, 2018 1 3:32 Zhengzhou, China Catchweight (152 lb) bout.
Win 9–2 Takuma Watanabe TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 18 October 27, 2017 1 3:42 Maerkang, China Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Win 8–2 Vincenzo Tagliamonte TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 17 September 16, 2017 1 4:44 Zhengzhou, China Lightweight debut.
Win 7–2 Ruslan Khairulin TKO (punches) WLF W.A.R.S. 15 June 19, 2017 2 4:02 Zhengzhou, China Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Loss 6–2 Wuliji Buren Submission (rear-naked choke) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 6 April 7, 2017 1 1:37 Guangzhou, China
Win 6–1 Shanati Shamaiti Decision (unanimous) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 5 February 18, 2017 3 5:00 Guangzhou, China
Win 5–1 Feng Kai Niu Submission (armbar) Chin Woo Men: 2016-2017 Season, Stage 2 January 7, 2017 1 1:43 Zhengzhou, China Return to Featherweight.
Loss 4–1 Shamil Nasrudinov Submission (guillotine choke) WLF E.P.I.C. 9 October 24, 2016 1 4:01 Zhengzhou, China Catchweight (141 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Semen Galushko TKO (punches) WLF E.P.I.C. 6 July 23, 2016 1 2:16 Zhengzhou, China
Win 3–0 Andrey Sapa Technical Submission (guillotine choke) WLF E.P.I.C. 4 May 28, 2016 1 2:18 Zhengzhou, China Bantamweight debut.
Win 2–0 Vadim Hristoforov TKO (punches) WLF E.P.I.C. 3 April 23, 2016 1 3:39 Zhengzhou, China
Win 1–0 Roman Lutsenko Disqualification (punches to back of head) Bullet Fly FC 4 March 26, 2016 2 2:06 Beijing, China Featherweight debut.

[19]

See also

References
  1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
  2. "China's Rong Zhu makes UFC history with dramatic late TKO". South China Morning Post. 19 September 2021.
  3. sina_mobile (2021-04-24). "武林笼中对成中国MMA人才库，从宋亚东到茸主年轻一代越来越强". k.sina.cn. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  4. sina_mobile (2021-04-24). "武林笼中对成中国MMA人才库，从宋亚东到茸主年轻一代越来越强". k.sina.cn. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  5. "Welcome To The UFC: Rongzhu | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  6. "Lightweight fight between Zhu Rong and Rodrigo Vargas added to UFC 261 | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. 2021-03-19. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  7. Anderson, Jay (2021-04-24). "UFC 261 Results: Rodrigo Vargas Earns Decision Over Zhu Rong". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-04-24.
  8. Jesse Holland (2021-09-13). "Latest UFC Vegas 37 fight card, ESPN+ lineup for 'Smith vs Spann' on Sept. 18". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  9. Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2021-09-15). "Brandon Jenkins replaces COVID-positive Dakota Bush at UFC Fight Night 192 vs. Zhu Rong". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  10. Staff (2021-09-17). "UFC Fight Night 192 weigh-in results: One of 28 fighters misses weight". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  11. Bitter, Shawn (2021-09-18). "UFC Vegas 37 Results: Zhu Rong Gets TKO Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  12. "Zhu Rong returns on February 26th". asianmma.com. November 28, 2021.
  13. Lee, Alexander K. (2022-02-25). "UFC Vegas 49 weigh-in results: Rong Zhu over by 4 pounds for second straight miss". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  14. Anderson, Jay (2022-02-26). "UFC Vegas 49: Ignacio Bahamondes Picks Up First Submission Win, Taps Zhu Rong". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  15. "Report: Moutinho, Grundy, Hubbard Among Latest UFC Cuts". MMA News. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  16. Raghuwanshi, Vipin (2022-10-20). "UAE Warriors 34 Results LIVE, Martun vs Acoidan, Card, Time". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2022-10-27.
  17. Staff (2023-05-28). "Road to UFC 2: Episode 3 Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  18. "Road to UFC semifinal results: See who advanced to compete for a UFC contract". MMA Junkie. 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  19. Sherdog.com. "Zhu Rong". Sherdog.
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