In a dominant performance, Rong Zhu defeated Shin Haraguchi by submission with a Rear Naked Choke at 3:06 of Round 3 in the Road to UFC tournament. Rong Zhu's crisp striking battered Haraguchi on the feet and successfully stuffed Haraguchi's takedown attempts. This victory earned Rong Zhu the Road to UFC Lightweight Championship and a second tenure in the UFC. The next Road to UFC event is set for May at the UFC Performance Institute in Shanghai, China. The tournament format is celebrated for its simplicity and potential to expand the reach of mixed martial arts worldwide.
Rongzhu knees Haraguchi to counter his shot Haraguchi on his knees to salvage the takedown attempt Rongzhu pushes Haraguchi's head away and starts to free his leg Haraguchi drives Rongzhu to the cage and shelves the leg Rongzhu smacks Haraguchi to end the exchange Neat! https://t.co/BFYZyyauVV
What a debut! #UFC https://t.co/7cpkoZzkE7
Welcome to the UFC π #RoadToUFC resulted in 3 new contracts! π₯ https://t.co/kzgOgg6Fd1
βThis is just the beginning.β UFC Senior Vice President Kevin Chang reflects on the second season of the Road to UFC tournament and how he hopes it'll help grow mixed martial arts worldwide. #RTU2 Results, Interviews & More β‘οΈ: https://t.co/lUrwZCfhW6
βThis is my second chance.β Rongzhu reflects on winning the lightweight tournament and how he will be a different fighter in his second tenure in the UFC. #RTU2 Results, Interviews & More β‘οΈ: https://t.co/lUrwZCfhW6
Per @JohnGoodenUK on the broadcast, the next Road to UFC will take place in May from the UFC PI in Shanghai China π¨π³ #RoadToUFC
Road to UFC is up there with DWCS as my favorite UFC-adjacent product. Just simple 8-man tournaments, nothing complicated. Could even do them for different regions. Road to UFC: South America, Central Asia, etc.
RONGZHU MAKES HIS RETURN TO THE UFC #RoadToUFC https://t.co/pZjRzgulDh
#RTU2 Official Result: Rongzhu defeats Shin Haraguchi by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:06 of Round 3 All Results & Scorecards β‘οΈ: https://t.co/lUrwZCfhW6
Rong Zhu def. Shin Haraguchi via R3 SUB (RNC)3:06 #RoadToUFC Full Results: https://t.co/bp3RntSdm1
Mercifully, it's over. Welcome to the #UFC, Rongzhu! #roadtoUFC https://t.co/QbznKD71VD
Rongzhu joins the UFC lightweight division! [ #RoadToUFC | LIVE NOW | on UFC Fight Pass ] https://t.co/6yiAf63Ebd
Rongzhu submits Shin Haraguchi to win the Road to UFC Lightweight Championship to get his second stint in the UFC. Rongzhu's striking was crisp battered Haraguchi on the feet stuffed Haraguchi's takedown and got an easy RNC late in Round 3 #RoadToUFC
Rongzhu earns his way back to the UFC with a 3rd round RNC ! #RoadToUFC https://t.co/jTOREQqUpW
Haraguchi is one tough dude. Rong Zhu doing everything right in R2.