UFC Fight Night: Rafa Garcia vs Rong Zhu Preview & Prediction
by Gabriel Sheehan ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Someone's three fight win streak at lightweight has to go, as Rafa Garcia takes on Rong Zhu at 155 pounds.
Rafa Garcia vs Rong Zhu facts
What time are Rafa Garcia and Rong Zhu expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado? Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 288
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado main card
Jean Silva vs Jose Delgado (Featherweight)
Brandon Moreno vs Joseph Morales (Flyweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Marwan Rahiki (Featherweight)
Manon Fiorot vs Alexa Grasso (Women's Flyweight)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Curtis Blaydes (Heavyweight)
David Martinez vs Dan Ige (Bantamweight)
UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Delgado prelims
Tim Elliott vs Edgar Chairez (Flyweight)
Ignacio Bahamondes vs Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight)
Yousri Belgaroui vs Djorden Santos (Middleweight)
Drakkar Klose vs Thomas Gantt (Lightweight)
Rafa Garcia vs Rong Zhu (Lightweight)
Sean King vs Jessie Rosas (Featherweight)
JJ Aldrich vs Regina Tarin (Women's Flyweight)
Rafa Garcia: Can "Gifted" continue his excellent run of recent form?
7-4 with the UFC since signing as an undefeated prospect back in 2021, Rafa Garcia (19-4) rides a three fight win streak into his latest appearance with the promotion. A grinding wrestler with seemingly ever improving striking, “Gifted” isn’t the most dangerous finisher on the roster, but he’s also proven exceedingly difficult to put away, only losing by stoppage in the UFC on one occasion. The 32 year old Mexican has only ever lost to solid levels of competition in the promotion and is coming off the biggest win of his career, an upset decision over the surging Alexander Hernandez in April.
Rong Zhu: The Road to UFC winner seeks to build on an impressive KO in his last fight
Currently riding a three fight win streak, Rong Zhu (28-6) was last seen in action on Road to UFC, starching Victor Rodriguez for a first round KO. 4-3 under the UFC banner, “Little Yama” has only lost to solid levels of competition throughout his time in the promotion outside of a defeat to Jessie Vargas, dropping results to Chris Padilla and Ignacio Bahamondes. A flashy, dynamic striker with thudding power, the Road to UFC lightweight winner does his best when he’s able to pick his opponents apart at range, struggling with fighters who are able to make things rough and dirty against him.
Rafa Garcia vs Rong Zhu prediction
While the oddsmakers have Rong Zhu as a slight favorite, we’re going with the underdog in Garcia.
The Chinese CKB representative has solid takedown defence, but he’s consistently been grounded at least once by grappling heavy fighters. Garcia averages more than 3 successful takedowns a fight and is fresh off scoring four against a decent wrestler in Alexander Hernandez; I think he has what it takes to get Rongzhu down and rack up points on the board.
The Road to UFC veteran has the edge in the striking exchanges, but a KO win over Victor Rodriguez isn’t enough to convince me that he’s about to flatline Garcia, who has looked pretty solid on the feet as of late. “Gifted” has only been stopped once under the UFC banner and that came via GNP against Grant Dawson; I don’t see Rongzhu taking Garcia down and pounding him out in the same manner.
Kody Steele was a solid win for Rongzhu, but I put more stock in Garcia’s victories over Alexander Hernandez and Jared Gordon than results over Austin Hubbard and the aforementioned Victor Rodriguez. Garcia has what it takes to hang with Rongzhu on the feet and find openings to work his grappling; I believe he earns the decision victory as the underdog here.
Prediction: Rafa Garcia to win by decision
