UFC Vegas 61: UFC Apex; Las Vegas
One of the final goals a fighter has before they can declare themselves ready for a title fight, is to enter the Top-Five. And in a key strawweight match up, Xiaonan Yan had an impressive go at it. Yan Xiaonan survives the main event slot over Mackenzie Dern with a great game plan… and a little luck too.
The 33-year old Chinese import chopped away at the two-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion’s lead leg with an array of kicks. And slowed her down with some stinging left hands. When the duo exchanged it was Xiaonan with the more memorable punches.
Although Dern thanks to rounds two and five with heavy domination on the ground wound up taking the significant strikes edge 228-128. And in those rounds it was an impressive submission defense by Xiaonan that kept her alive. The 48-47 2x, 47-47 majority decision win, ends a two-fight losing streak for Xiaonan. And gives Dern a 1-2 present slide. As of Tuesday the fifth and sixth ranked fighters will probably flip-flop spots.
Yan Xiaonan Survives Main Event, How Far Away Is The Title Shot
At the upper echelons of any division, the separation between fighters is razor thin. And although Xiaonan only got taken down two out of ten times, she was heavily dominated there. Then again no one in the division is as skilled on the ground as Dern. So the takedown defense is there too. Now just getting back up needs to be worked on at ALPHA MALE.
Both her and Dern suffered recent loses to Marina Rodriguez. The Brazilian takes on Amanda Lemos in one month. So a rematch of the split decision is an easy call, with the tip top of the division fighting for the belt. That’s providing Rodriguez picks up another victory.
If not there’s a name out there that would be an interesting fight to make. Jessica Andrade who is bouncing between strawweight and flyweight does not have anything booked right now. With the forward pressure of “Bate Estaca”, and the foot movement of Xiaonan there’s no doubt they could frustrate each other. Although, Andrade is just a bigger fighter. And like they say, a good big fighter always beats a good smaller fighter.
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