UFC Fight Night: Zhu Kangjie vs Rodrigo Vera Preview & Prediction
Rodrigo Vera steps in for Ramon Taveras on short notice, taking on Road to UFC standout, Zhu Kangjie, at 145 pounds.
Zhu Kangjie vs Rodrigo Vera facts
What time are Zhu Kangjie and Rodrigo Vera expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo? Galaxy Arena, Macau SAR, China
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 277
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo main card
Song Yadong vs Deiveson Figueiredo (Bantamweight)
Zhang Mingyang vs Alonzo Menifield (Light Heavyweight)
Sergei Pavlovich vs Tallison Teixeira (Heavyweight)
Kai Asakura vs Cameron Smotherman (Bantamweight)
Alex Perez vs Su Mudaerji (Flyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo prelims
Lee Yi-sak vs Luis Felipe Dias (Middleweight)
Ding Meng vs Jose Henrique Souza (Welterweight)
Aori Qileng vs Cody Haddon (Bantamweight)
Angela Hill vs Xiong Jingnan (Women’s Strawweight)
Loma Lookboonmee vs Jaqueline Amorim (Women’s Strawweight)
Zhu Kangjie vs Rodrigo Vera (Featherweight)
Rei Tsuruya vs Luis Gurule (Bantamweight)
Jake Matthews vs Carlston Harris (Welterweight)
Zhu Kangjie: The Chinese KO artist aims to carry his Road to UFC form into the promotion
Winner of Road to UFC Season 3’s featherweight tournament, Kangjie Zhu (21-4, 1 NC) looks to add to a five fight win streak come Saturday night. The 30 year old Chinese fighter is a heavy handed knockout artist with twelve victories coming by way of KO and has only ever been finished once in defeat since turning professional almost a decade ago. However, while he undoubtedly poses an ever present danger on the feet, Zhu’s takedown defense gives some cause for concern; he was taken down twenty times across three appearances on Road to UFC.
Rodrigo Vera: "El Gato Loco" looks to make good on his chance at the big leagues
Filling in for Ramon Taveras on relatively short notice, Rodrigo Vera (21-1-1) gets his shot at the big leagues after a long and rather successful career on the regional circuit. A well rounded threat with eleven finishes to his name, “El Gato Loco” is currently riding a thirteen fight win streak that dates back to his sole defeat, a decision setback to Eduardo Torres in 2019. Touted as one of the best featherweights outside of the UFC in South America, Vera looks to seize his opportunity with both hands in enemy territory.
Zhu Kangjie vs Rodrigo Vera prediction
Pitting two relatively unheralded debutants of the same age and size against each other, this is a tricky fight to call.
Originally slated to take on Ramon Taveras, Kangjie is the more recognizable of the two fighters, having already secured a trio of wins on Road to UFC to win Season 3’s featherweight tournament. He’s a powerful striker with twelve KO wins to his name and could arguably be favored given that he’s had a full camp to prepare for this one.
However, we’re leaning towards Vera here. “El Gato Loco” may be taking this one on three weeks notice, but he’s been perfect in his career outside of a solitary draw and defeat and has never been finished. The Peruvian also has an opportunistic submission game in his back pocket and has fought more solid levels of competition throughout his career; eight of Kangjie’s victories have come against fighters without a winning record.
It’s also worth noting that Kangjie was taken down SIXTEEN times during one of his Road to UFC fights despite eventually earning the victory. If Vera can avoid a KO blow in the early goings and has an iota of wrestling to mix in with his solid boxing game, I like his chances here.
Prediction: Rodrigo Vera to win
